Can anyone offer advice or reassurance

[rustysebastian]

Hi

We have just recently adopted 2 male guinea pigs who are roughly 3 months old. They are from the same litter and were raised together and have lived together since birth.

Before i start i will be going to the pet shop tomorrow where i got them from to ask advice and will take to the vet if needs be next week i am just looking for some words or advice in the meantime or action to take now as i am a little worried.

We did a health check last Sunday and everything was fine but i noticed today that one of the guinea pigs has a scab and a sore on one of his back legs. I have checked the rest of his body and cannot see any other scabs or sores so i am not sure if it is ring worm or not. I feel it may possibly be a bite from the other guinea pig. I have not seen them fight however i have heard teeth chattering when they are together sometimes and the other guinea pig and him do go at each other a little bit but not a full on fight. I have noticed the other guinea pig sometimes doesn't let the one with the scab into the sleeping area and will push him out of the tunnel they both like to hide in and other little behaviors that suggest the other guinea pig is the more dominant one.

The cage we have is the size that was suggested online as suitable for two guinea pigs and has a upstairs and downstairs area. We have put in two of everything within the cage so food bowls , water bottles, toys and hide outs and when we put in the fresh veggies everyday we put some upstairs and some downstairs and separate them for a short while as i did notice that the one guinea pig was being a bit too dominant and i worried that the other one was not getting a chance to eat the veggies. The hutch is outside and weather permitting they are put in a run daily for exercise and grazing and in the run we make sure again there is two of everything for them to avoid any disagreements.

The guinea pig with the scab is eating fine and drinking fine and is still able to run around and does like to be by his brother it seems as when i have closed the hatch they will run up and let themselves back in and in the run they run around together.

If someone could take a look at the picture for me and let me know what your thoughts are id be very grateful if it is ringworm or mites or a infection then i will of course go to the vets and get treatment but if it is the other pig biting then any hints or tips aside from what i have already done would be helpful as i dont like the thought of him being hurt or obviously dont want it to continue.

thank you

 

[DMS260820]

@Wiebke will possibly know and @PigglePuggle

Not to diagnose but just to have a look. I would take your pig to a vet incase its something like a fungal infection

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

We have just recently adopted 2 male guinea pigs who are roughly 3 months old. They are from the same litter and were raised together and have lived together since birth.

Before i start i will be going to the pet shop tomorrow where i got them from to ask advice and will take to the vet if needs be next week i am just looking for some words or advice in the meantime or action to take now as i am a little worried.

We did a health check last Sunday and everything was fine but i noticed today that one of the guinea pigs has a scab and a sore on one of his back legs. I have checked the rest of his body and cannot see any other scabs or sores so i am not sure if it is ring worm or not. I feel it may possibly be a bite from the other guinea pig. I have not seen them fight however i have heard teeth chattering when they are together sometimes and the other guinea pig and him do go at each other a little bit but not a full on fight. I have noticed the other guinea pig sometimes doesn't let the one with the scab into the sleeping area and will push him out of the tunnel they both like to hide in and other little behaviors that suggest the other guinea pig is the more dominant one.

The cage we have is the size that was suggested online as suitable for two guinea pigs and has a upstairs and downstairs area. We have put in two of everything within the cage so food bowls , water bottles, toys and hide outs and when we put in the fresh veggies everyday we put some upstairs and some downstairs and separate them for a short while as i did notice that the one guinea pig was being a bit too dominant and i worried that the other one was not getting a chance to eat the veggies. The hutch is outside and weather permitting they are put in a run daily for exercise and grazing and in the run we make sure again there is two of everything for them to avoid any disagreements.

The guinea pig with the scab is eating fine and drinking fine and is still able to run around and does like to be by his brother it seems as when i have closed the hatch they will run up and let themselves back in and in the run they run around together.

If someone could take a look at the picture for me and let me know what your thoughts are id be very grateful if it is ringworm or mites or a infection then i will of course go to the vets and get treatment but if it is the other pig biting then any hints or tips aside from what i have already done would be helpful as i dont like the thought of him being hurt or obviously dont want it to continue.

thank you

Hi and welcome!

Please have your boys vet checked for ringworm tomorrow and then take the bill and diagnosis to the pet shop for reimbursement; which is a highly contagious fungal infection that can also transmit to humans and other pet species. Good hygiene and proper treatment is key to get on top of it.

I am very sorry that you are yet another pet shop ringworm victim; we are seeing quite a lot of them. Please see a vet before asking pet shop staff that is obviously not able to get on top of ringworm and is happily and knowingly selling infected piggies!

You can find information on your customer rights as well as information on common hidden passengers on pet shop piggies in this guide here: What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

I am also including our ringworm care guide, which you will hopefully find very helpful. Over a dozen years we have had plenty of time to test what works and what not, and just in how many ways ringworm can be transmitted; that is why our tips actually work!
Please invest in some F10 disinfectant - it is one of the best investments you'll ever make!
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

You also may find our new owners guide collection very helpful. In it we address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns from new owners about in as practical and how-to way as possible. We have also added some guides that can help you minimise preventable problems in the longer term: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Tangle]

Congratulations your new piggies but sorry you're having a bit of a bumpy ride with them.

Could I ask how big your hutch actually is? Depending on where you looked on line there's a variety of sizes you may have seen recommended, not all of which are really suitable for 2 boars. Hopefully you found the Cage Size Guide on here, in which case your 2 boys should have a lovely space - but there are some seemingly reputable sources that confidently recommend cages sizes that current best practice would say is really too small. I'm just thinking if you're worried they're not completely happy then a smaller-than-ideal cage might be contributing to that and giving them a bigger space might help with that .

 

[VickiA]

I agree with advice given by both Wiebke and @Tangle. Sorry you’re having a rough introduction to the otherwise joyous world of piggies

 

[rustysebastian]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your replies.

I visited the pet shop where i adopted the piggies from and explained we had only had them two weeks and showed the member of staff the picture. She suggested seeing their vet which they have in store and the store manager said that because we had only had them for two weeks they would pay for the pet visit for both of them which i was extremely grateful for. So we are booked in tomorrow. It has been upsetting to have this happen so early on especially as i have tried to be a very responsible pet owner and give them the best care and try and do everything right. Its upset me and my daughter because i would hate to think of them in pain or stressed. I have only touched them today to put them in the run and back in the cage once cleaned with clothes on and have ensured we've washed our hands thoroughly after. I work in a school so i dont think my head teacher will be best pleased if i bring in a infection of ringworm into the school

He definitely didn't have it last week so it could only have been this week he showed signs of it so i am grateful we managed to spot it quickly.

Thank you for the further information which i will definitely have a read through.

The cage i brought was 120cm x 60cm x 45cm which is what was stated on the RSPCA website but to be honest i think as they get older and bigger i will purchase a bigger cage for them anyway. I will also be bringing them inside for winter so will be buying them a indoor cage too.

Fingers crossed tomorrow its all sorted in a way i am more relieved it may be a infection as opposed to a fighting injury as i would hate to have to separate them as the generally do get on they just square up a little when it comes to certain spaces in the cage or feeding time which is why weve put two of everything in their and separate them for a little bit when the veggies go in.

Anyways thank you all for your help and replies.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your replies.

I visited the pet shop where i adopted the piggies from and explained we had only had them two weeks and showed the member of staff the picture. She suggested seeing their vet which they have in store and the store manager said that because we had only had them for two weeks they would pay for the pet visit for both of them which i was extremely grateful for. So we are booked in tomorrow. It has been upsetting to have this happen so early on especially as i have tried to be a very responsible pet owner and give them the best care and try and do everything right. Its upset me and my daughter because i would hate to think of them in pain or stressed. I have only touched them today to put them in the run and back in the cage once cleaned with clothes on and have ensured we've washed our hands thoroughly after. I work in a school so i dont think my head teacher will be best pleased if i bring in a infection of ringworm into the school

He definitely didn't have it last week so it could only have been this week he showed signs of it so i am grateful we managed to spot it quickly.

Thank you for the further information which i will definitely have a read through.

The cage i brought was 120cm x 60cm x 45cm which is what was stated on the RSPCA website but to be honest i think as they get older and bigger i will purchase a bigger cage for them anyway. I will also be bringing them inside for winter so will be buying them a indoor cage too.

Fingers crossed tomorrow its all sorted in a way i am more relieved it may be a infection as opposed to a fighting injury as i would hate to have to separate them as the generally do get on they just square up a little when it comes to certain spaces in the cage or feeding time which is why weve put two of everything in their and separate them for a little bit when the veggies go in.

Anyways thank you all for your help and replies.

The time between infection and actual outbreak of ringworm in guinea pigs is 10-14 days; that does not include any later infections from spores sitting in the coat.
This means that exposure and infection have happened at the shop; that the shop knows it has got a major issue with a highly infectious problem and that is is simply honouring your customer rights for knowingly selling damaged ware. No need to be grateful for something that should not have happened in the first place!

Please ask the treating vet for itrafungol; oral treatment is by far the most effective and least stressful. If the shop is paying, this means usually that you will only be offered the cheapest treatment, which is not necessarily the most effective and is coming with more stress for you and your new piggies.
You will still need to bathe to get rid of any spores sitting in your guinea pigs' coats but you do not have to bathe every 3 days for several times that way until the affected patches have run their due course.

You can report the branch to the local council over trading standards. That is about the only way you can unfortunately get pet shops to clean up their act. We are seeing far too many ringworm cases and all the stress it causes their new owners on here to feel any sympathy with chain pet shops and their commercial mass breeding suppliers that should know better anyway!
If they can't get on top it, they should stop selling livestock. Full stop.
After all, rescues are overflowing with no longer wanted children's pets that are sold without due information and all the messes resulting from selling mis-sexed furries - have a look in our pregnancy section and you'll understand why we bang on about the sexing upon arrival so much...

 

[rustysebastian]

I did not know this but thanks for letting me know as now i dont feel so grateful knowing that infestation occurred at the pet shop. I thought it was because of something i had done as in i was not looking after them properly as the person in the shop kept repeating that they can get it when they are stressed and moving home is stressful which is what i thought had caused it. So i am a little peeved off now. I did think it strange how they kept repeating over and over about the ring worm and that how they get it when stressed ect didn't mention anything about the poor things being exposed to it whilst in their care or that it could have come from them. I wont be so nice when i visit tomorrow

 

[Wiebke]

I did not know this but thanks for letting me know as now i dont feel so grateful knowing that infestation occurred at the pet shop. I thought it was because of something i had done as in i was not looking after them properly as the person in the shop kept repeating that they can get it when they are stressed and moving home is stressful which is what i thought had caused it. So i am a little peeved off now. I did think it strange how they kept repeating over and over about the ring worm and that how they get it when stressed ect didn't mention anything about the poor things being exposed to it whilst in their care or that it could have come from them. I wont be so nice when i visit tomorrow

If you put 'ringworm' into the search field on the top bar, you can see for yourself that you are in very good company!

"Stress" is a convenient way of fobbing off the problem onto the hapless customer and making it seem their fault instead of bad practice at their end.
Yes, of course new guinea pigs are stressed out, but they need exposure to ringworm first and foremost!

I would think that it would be a very strange coincidence that the vast majority of ringworm cases we deal with on here have started around two weeks after purchase in a shop... And that for some reason we are suddenly seeing a steep rise in ringworm cases from newly bought pet shop piggies in the last 2 years while 5 years ago we did see more cases with respiratory infection and less with ringworm? And no longer any mange mite cases in pets@home piggies whereas they used to be rather common?

We see only the tip of the iceberg on this forum, but we see inevitably a fair representation of malpractice or bad advice at pet shops; like the year they started pushing boar trios and we were suddenly swamped with cries for help over fighting and fallen-out teenagers....
We also see worryingly a rising number of cases in sales of already pregnant pet shop sows, which hints at problems either at the supplier, during transport or in the shop.

Make sure that you read our ringworm guide before you see the shop vet. You are however within your customer rights to see any vet you wish to and have your bill honoured since any other vet can reassure you that the problem has not started with you.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
You have certainly gone in the deep end and it is so annoying when you try to be responsible and end up dealing with someone else’s carelessness.
At least your piggies have a great home, a caring owner and will recover.
The advice here on dealing with ringworm is excellent and you will find plenty of support.
When life calms down please let us see pictures.
Hope all goes well at the vet

 

[PigglePuggle]

Oh dear, sending hugs, if these are your first piggies this is a bad way to start off! It looks like ringworm but a slightly unusual place for ringworm to start if its where it looks from the photo near the back leg, but it really could be, ringworm or mange mites, or even both- only a lab test from the vet could say for sure. We adopted a piggy with ringworm and I could see what it was straight away and I was horrified, we were mislead entirely by a breeder trying to offload a reject piggy who she didnt think was pure bred enough to spend the vet fees on! Fortunately we spotted this straight away and got our piggy in quarantine and a vet check and treatment the next day. But this is nothing you've done wrong, whatever the petshop says, they have sold you sick piggies and probably have lots of other sick animals too.
Its good the petshop are offering vet care but please make sure they actually take a skin scrape to check for mites (most vets do this onsite while you wait) and also to send a skin scrape off to a lab for a dermatophyte (skin fungus) culture. Lots of vets might just guess and although the fungal skin test takes a couple of weeks and they should prescribe treatment in the meantime if it looks likely, you want to be sure! There might be secondary bacterial infection too with either mites or ringworm if they have scratched the skin sore so your piggy might need antibiotics.
Surgical gloves and a designated set of old clothes you can hot wash afterwards for handling, F10 disinfectant for the cage and F10 handgel as an extra precaution after handling even if you have gloves... the forum ringworm guide you've had the link for says it all really, its excellent and following it can really help you get on top of an outbreak even though its so contagious- it can be contained and treated if you are careful!

 

[rustysebastian]

Hi guys thanks again for replies.

We visited the vet today. She couldnt 100% say it was ring worm but said it could be as she said it didnt really present itself the way ringworm usually does. As in there was no flaking of the skin. I pointed the area out behind his ear where there was a red ring but in this area there has been no flakiness or scabbing just hair loss and the red ring. Since Friday there have been no new areas of scabbing and the rest of his skin is fine aside from the crusty leg. She used a UV light and went over his skin and then checked the second guinea pig and he was fine. Anyway she prescribed some oral medication for them both to have daily for two weeks and also gave me a solution which i have to dilute in water and spray on their backs once a week and we are to go back in two weeks or if anything occurs in the meantime go back straight away. So we will see what happens hopefully this works. First time medicating a guinea pig by syringe oh what fun . Thanks again