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Bald Patch On New Pig

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Guiness&Rocky

Guiness&Rocky

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, I got 2 boars last Monday they are about 12 weeks old. I got them from pets at home which I know now wasn't great sorry.

Anyway I've just managed to get one of them on my knee to have some lap time and found a big bald patch on his back. It doesn't look scabby but its completely bald.

He doesn't seem poorly so will call a vets first thing but does anyone have any ideas.

I cant upload a photo from my windows phone so will change my avatar now don't know how clear it will be.

Thanks in advance
 
I'm just really worried about him, he seems fine but do you think he needs to see someone tonight? I don't know how long its been like it because I've been trying to let them settle in gently
 
Could it be something I've done or not done? I've never had guineas before so don't know if I'm doing everything I should be
 
It is possibly mange mites or fungal, like ringworm, which is highly contagious to humans. Please do not let any children handle either piggy in the meantime if you can upload a photo that would be great & I'll tag @helen105281 as she is very experienced with fungal issues.

Ah your avatar is the pic? You will need to take both pigs to the vet for diagnosis & treatment. If you keep the vet receipts you can try to get the amount refunded by PAH if you take them there.
 
No the other one seems fine but really doesn't like being held at the minute so I've struggled to be certain. My daughter held him today but washed her hands straight after. I'll keep an eye on her thanks. I cant upload a picture to the thread I have it as my avatar that's all I can do from my phone sorry.
 
Try not to panic, it can wait until tomorrow. It does sound like a skin condition though like fungal or mange mites but only a vet can diagnose. You will need to take them both as it is likely the vet will need to treat both of them. Here is our Ringworm guide in case you need it, but please note that there are many different types of fungal. The guide explains our preferred method of treatment though.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

For mange mites, treatment is usually with Ivermectin, injections are most effective and they would need at least 3 approximately a week to 10 days apart.
 
Just noticed your photo, I would say fungal but can't be 100% certain.
 
Thankyou I will get them both to a vets tomorrow. Already attached to the little things will be gutted if anything happens to them
 
It is not life threatening so try not to worry, though I know it's hard. If Pets at Home offer to take them back and treat them I would decline if you are happy to treat them at home but it is up to you of course.
 
I rang them earlier and they said to take them to a vets so don't think they are interested. I might go in tomorrow and see what they have to say
 
Do concentrate on the piggie though. Also, make sure the vet can deal with exotic animals.
 
I've got a couple that I'm going to call in the morning been doing some research tonight as I'm stressing
 
Got my piggies booked in for 10:30. Spoke to a couple of practices and found one where I actually spoke to the vet and she sounded like she knew what she was talking about so fingers crossed they will be fine.

Will update when I get back
 
Good luck. Just to let you know, if the vet wants to do a culture to test for fungal, only Ringworm tends to show up, so if it is negative it doesn't necessarily mean it is not fungal, it could be one of the other types which doesn't culture. Our recommended treatment would be the same though - Imaverol dips (suitable even for baby pigs) or Itrafungol which is an oral medication.
 
Hi back from the vets, he suspects ringworm :'( he checked for mites and has taken cultures will go back in 2 weeks. Hes given me surolan to use twice a day.
He actually found another patch that I hadn't found under all the fluff the poor little thing. He said there's no way he has got it in the last week its to advanced so I'm going to complain to pets at home.
Now I know hes ok and will recover I am so angry that they do this who knows how long he's been suffering!
 
Have a read of our Ringworm guide as it highlights the important hygiene measures you need to put in place. Surolan is effective but does not treat the whole pig and so you may find new patches appearing, I would ask the vet about Imaverol dips too (you can buy online if needed).
 
If the vet agrees we can give you information on how to use it. It is used as a dip but not rinsed off like a shampoo is.
 
They seem to be doing ok, I put Rockys medicine on this morning and it looks like his fur is growing back so fingers crossed he's getting better xx
 
I was beating myself up about getting them from pets at home. But I decided that they were going to be sold and I'm glad that I care about them and am making sure that they are healthy and happy rather than someone who wasn't doing anything with them
 
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