What’s bugging us? Bug found on Breintje

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Yikes, I’ve seen a bug in Breintjes fur for the 3rd time now. We got a very fine-toothed flea comb ASAP, but I can’t seem to catch the bug with it. Sometimes it just runs in front of the comb. Breintje shows no signs of discomfort, but I find it repulsive that something’s in his fur

Things ruled out so far:

He has no black flakes which turn red in water, like you’d expect from fleas
No white/yellowish dander like you’d expect from mites
No fur loss
No visible skin irritation
No extreme itching

What I have seen:
3 sightings of 1 single bug, impossible to say if it’s the same one. It’s about 2 mm long with an elongated body. It has a very dark shiny black carapace and it runs through his fur. It doesn’t hop, but it runs very quickly. I can’t catch it with the comb and it’s too fast to catch with a piece of tape. I was hoping to catch one to take it to the vet, but I just can’t catch one. I’m combing Breintje twice a day now, but I see the bug only occasionally.

Does anyone recognise the type of bug?

[Wick & Fable]

Is it a weevil? Those come from hay.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Thanks, I’ve looked it up, but it didn’t have a “snout”. Do all weevils have a snout?

[Luna]

Have you seen any of those bugs in his pellet bag/container? Do you have a lint roller? That would be a lot wider than a piece of tape, and you could roll it really quickly (but carefully) across Breintje’s fur next time you see it.

[DanaNM]

Hmmmm, does have a hard carapace that covers the whole abdomen, with a split down the middle? That would mean some sort of beetle. If it is a beetle then it prob is coming from the hay or pellets, even if it’s not a weevil specifically.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Q8bunny]

It sounded like a tiny beetle to me, too.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Thanks for your ideas everyone! I’ll be sure to check his hay, pellets and his surroundings. If it’s from the hay I’ll freeze the hay for 2 days before using it, that should kill off any creepy crawlies.
The lint roller tip is also a great one, we’ve got lots of rolls in the house. We practically have stocks in the lint roller company after that horrible moult this year.

I’m continuing to comb Breintje twice a day, and if I can’t find the source of the problem I’ll ask the vet for advice.

[LBJ10]

Some sort of grain beetle maybe? They can be attracted to hay.

[Bam]

It does sound like it could be a grain beetle, I looked up the types that are common here, their latin names are Tribolium or Tenebrio. But they’d have no business in Breintje’s fur.

[LBJ10]

Yes, but they could get “lost” on him if he dives into the hay.

[Domino&Ash]

I agree. I have found tiny oval black beetle like bugs in their food when I get their cubes from the outdoor farm store.

It must be a common pest for sweet grasses.

I’ll try to post a photo sometime.

I am comfortable using  a little diatomaceous earth when I vacuum or in their box/ fur if I see a health issue.

Many owners worry about aspiration and intestinal safety.

Diatomaceous earth is safer than powdery dirt in the yard; sand in the dig box  and ‘bedding’ sold at pet stores which has been proven to cause lung cancer, asthma and more respiratory issues.

[Author]

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