Lice

connv39 · 07-22-2014, 02:40 PM

So I made the post previously about mites and I stated that we were going to see a vet. Well, the vet looked at the creatures under the microscope and identified them as lice. To be honest I think I disagree but who am I to disagree with a professional? So we're going to treat them for lice. Well, I believe you can still use ivermectin for lice but my vet told me you can also use a flea powder three times a week on the hamsters and in their bedding. Since my vet isn't specialized for small animals or hamsters, I just wanted to check with you guys to see if you've had any experience with this. Is it okay to use cat or dog flea powder on them since they're so tiny? The vet said yes but I wasn't sure on that. I live in the states and I'm not sure they sell small animal flea powder. Just let me guys know if you have any thoughts or suggestions. We want to give these little guys some relief and get our house cleared.

NiceCrocs · 07-22-2014, 02:46 PM

Hmm :/ I'm not a vet, but I'd be hesitant to use any kind of powder to treat a hamster; their lungs are so sensitive to dusts.

And besides that, lice can only live on humans; if it somehow wound up on a hamster, it would die within two days.

I think I would seek a second opinion on this one, tbh

connv39 · 07-22-2014, 02:53 PM

Well, after extensive google searches, I know that hamsters can get lice, but lice is species specific so that's why they're being affected so much worse then us humans and the dog. I'm just wondering about the powder, really. I read one person who said just do a couple pinches on them and rub it in. I would love to do powder if I can cause I think that's gonna treat their cage the best.

NiceCrocs · 07-22-2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connv39

Well, after extensive google searches, I know that hamsters can get lice, but lice is species specific so that's why they're being affected so much worse then us humans and the dog. I'm just wondering about the powder, really. I read one person who said just do a couple pinches on them and rub it in. I would love to do powder if I can cause I think that's gonna treat their cage the best.

Ack, you're right, I was wrong, my mind jumped to human lice and I posted without checking my facts.

It's always hard to anticipate how hamsters will respond to medication, but if you're comfortable using powder and you have the go-ahead from a vet, then proceed, just monitor them closely is all I can say ._. Sorry I wasn't more helpful

Queen Of The High Teas · 07-22-2014, 04:10 PM

No, do not put dog or cat spot on products on a hamster! It's far too strong for such a tiny animal! The smallest dog/cat spot on is advocate for fleas, and the smallest pet you can use it on is a rabbit. Ask the vet for Xeno 50 mini spot on, it is a liquid you put on their skin and kills internal and external parasites, including lice and it's designed for tiny pets like hams, mice etc that are no more than 800g. Don't let them give you Xeno 450 by mistake, that's for small pets that are 800g - 1kg and over.

connv39 · 07-22-2014, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen Of The High Teas

No, do not put dog or cat spot on products on a hamster! It's far too strong for such a tiny animal! The smallest dog/cat spot on is advocate for fleas, and the smallest pet you can use it on is a rabbit. Ask the vet for Xeno 50 mini spot on, it is a liquid you put on their skin and kills internal and external parasites, including lice and it's designed for tiny pets like hams, mice etc that are no more than 800g. Don't let them give you Xeno 450 by mistake, that's for small pets that are 800g - 1kg and over.

What about powder if used in small quantities?

Queen Of The High Teas · 07-22-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connv39

What about powder if used in small quantities?

To be honest, I'm not sure about powder as we don't use it over here, at least not at our practice. What we sell for lice, mites, and so on for dogs and cats is a liquid vial that you apply at the base of the neck. If it was me, I wouldn't use parasite treatment designed for an animal the size of a dog or cat on something the size of a hamster, can't see any of our vets doing so either, but I would check with another vet to be sure, especially as your in a different country with different products, but if you were over here I would deffo say get the Xeno. Do you have it over there, or an equivalent?

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-22-2014, 05:01 PM

I've heard of one powder thats said to be safe for rodents but I've never tried it. Do you know what one your vet is suggesting?

racinghamster · 07-23-2014, 12:49 AM

In the UK connV39, vets use Ivermectin for mites AND lice. Ivermectin is basically a nerve agent that affects the nervous system of the parasites, but it can also affect the poor hamster if given too much and some mice I know were treated by a vet here and killed because the vet dosed them with too strong a dose. My friend was devastated.

What this vet should have done for you was to spot-treat the hamster/hamsters and give you some to take home to treat again a week after. I would call them back and say that you left with some confusion as to what to safely treat your hamsters with and you were not given a brand name or a dosage to give and you don`t feel able to go ahead with shop bought medications as they all seem to be sold for larger animals and you are not happy using these without guidance. If you paid for this vet to teat your animals, they shouldn`t have just said go and treat them with flea powder!

If you are worried that your home may have these little beasts around, you can buy flea sprays to treat your rooms and use them around skirting boards and areas where they may be found, but your hamster cages would need to be in a room well away from these aerosols for safety reasons.

So, get more information from the surgery/vet you saw recently and don`t let them fob you off just because `it`s a hamster`....

Good luck and let us know how you get on. But like the others, I`ve never heard of anyone using a flea powder on a hamster.