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Advise wanted please skin problem

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piggieboys

piggieboys

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Hi Just joined this forum today as I'm at my wits end with my little boy. Hes had a mites problem and also a fungal infection it has got so bad that he is having fits which I know can kill him. the vet gave him panomec which he can take orally.this didnt seem to help I have also used ivermectin spot on last week. for the fungal I have been using the gorgeous guinea pig range and also nizoral shampoo which was recommended on the internet. The fungal dandruff stuff seem to be going and also so is his fur which I know is quite common.

My problem is it seems to be taking forever to clear and he is still fitting, ive been using eurax lotaion to try and control the itching which has helped but doesnt stop the fitting completely. I'm out of work at the moment so really cant afford another trip to the vets thats why I have been trying my best with the other treatments. hes been separated from the other two for over a week now and seems to be quite happy on his on with his teddy and hes eating really well.

Is there anything else I can do to help him ?
 
Try looking on guinealynx for info and help. You seem to be doing the righy things . An injection of ivermectin has better results,but other people on here know much more than me.
 
This sounds very similar to Dindy's story when she first came to me. If his fitting is caused by exessive scratching of the infected/sore area try putting a little vest on him. Hopefully this will allow his skin to heal before he can scratch it raw again. It will seem like an age to clear up, just remember how long it takes for a sore or wound to heal on your own body.
Dindy's little vest had two 'arm' holes cut in it to help keep it in place, it was changed daily along with her bedding to stop any reinfection of the wounds or the vest sticking to the wounds. If he manages to pull it off, be patient an refit it.
It was here on Peter Gurney's website that I found the vest trick that I believed help to save her life. http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/itching.htm


Dindy then you can just see the edge of a massive raw bald patch starting at her neck.
DSC00147-1.jpg


Dindy now she's a strong willed madame
DSCF2419.jpg
 
Thanks for that advise is that just like an arm bandage or something? did you have a few and just keep rinsing them through, might try that although he wont like it and will be a pain putting it on but anything is worth a try thank you :)
 
I am so sorry to hear your poor little baby is going through this. Sending you both hugs. x>>
 
piggieboys said:
Thanks for that advise is that just like an arm bandage or something? yes did you have a few and just keep rinsing them through, yes might try that although he wont like it and will be a pain putting it on but anything is worth a try thank you :)
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Dindy was quite adept at getting one leg out when trying to put the second in.
 
Please be VERY careful about self-medicating your guinea pig on top of the vet meds. The vet gave you panomec...what was the dosing regime and how long was he on this before you decided it wasn;t working? What type of spot-on are you now giving - some brands are more effective than others becuase they have differing concentrations.

Have you stopped the panomec now that you are giving spot-on?I hope so as Ivermectin overdose could be possible and the symptoms also include muscle tremors. Can I suggest you ring your vet to disucss the change of treatment to ensure you are giving the proper doses. (To be honest in severe cases of mites ivermectin injections are normally best)

As Dindypig says, try manufacturing a jacket from tubigrip or look at the neoprene ferret jackets to protect the area.

HTH
x
 
been using the panomec for a while 0.4 every two weeks , been using it bout two months and wasnt helping, the spot on was by beaphar used that just over a week ago and its suppose to last 4 weeks.
 
piggieboys said:
been using the panomec for a while 0.4 every two weeks , been using it bout two months and wasnt helping, the spot on was by beaphar used that just over a week ago and its suppose to last 4 weeks.
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Treatment for mites using ivermectin should be one dose every 10-14 days with a total of three doses. If you wait the 4 weeks stated by beaphar before applying another dose you will be back to square 1 and have to start again as you will not have competely destroyed all stages of the mite life cycle. The more times you give ivermectin without getting rid of the mties properly, the more chance they will build up resistance to the drug (just like anti-bioitic resistant bacteria). Spot-on treatments are normally more of a preventative measure and should be used springly to avoid mites becoming resistant....As your piggie has a bad infestation and is fitting, I would strongly suggest you go back to the vet for a further examination and get ivermectin (or better still doramectin) injections.

Also it is essential you practice good hygiene and make sure that immediately after an ivermectin treatment he is put back into a properly cleaned and dinsinfected cage otherwise he will become re-infected
HTH
x
 
You could also use micropore tape over the guineas nails too to stop the damage by scratching. Maybe revisit the vet for a course of ivermectin injections, not as expensive as you may think. I had five guineas treated with three doses each, it cost me £29.
 
Suzygpr said:
Have a read of this thread on a similar case. All treatment was via the vet, Ivermectin for the mites, Itrafungol for the fungal. At home, Imaverol soaks for the fungal, bandaging for the scratching to prevent triggering the seizures.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=67134

HTH

Suzy x
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Thank you that looks very similar to how he is but luckily he dont have it on his face, gonna get a bandage tomorrow and try and put him in it to help with the fitting.
 
Sporal-D is another very good anti-fungal shampoo - cheap as well at around £6 for quite a large bottle.

You really need to stick to the ivermectin, as it does work, it can just take a very long time to get really bad fungal infections under control, sometimes months. It is possible to get the same treatments as your vet has sold you off the internet at much better prices, and you can even get a prescription from your vet to allow you to purchase it online.
 
Update on Crumble my piggie, hes doing really well, most of the fungal infection has gone just a little patch on his bum. Most of his hair has grown back and he lets me touch him now without crying, he still itches but nothing more than a normal piggie does and I havent seen him fit for over two weeks now, its taken about two months to get him to the stage he is at now but were getting there.
 
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