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Chin And Ear Concerns

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bdl427

bdl427

New Born Pup
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Hello all,
Today I noticed on one of my pigs that she has a small scab area under her chin. This appears to be something new and it's the first time she's had something like this. I'm unsure what might have caused it, I don't think the two have been fighting. A new pig was introduced to her almost a month ago. Should this be concerning?

Also more concerning and my reason for seeking advice on making a vet appointment or not is her ear. One of her ears is peeling badly. I first noticed the top of the ear peeling a bit and then when looking more closely and lifting the ear I found there to be a lot more what appears to be dry skin. It's only on one ear and on one pig.


image.webp
image.webp image.webp Chin (sorry for the bad pictures)
 
Hello I'd be taking your little one to the vets. I couldn't quite make out the chin pic sorry. Maybe with the chin she's had a scuffle with her new cage mate?
Let us know how it goes

Glynis x
 
I can't quite see the chin photo either, even if I turn my head upside down, but I am thinking possible fungal, especially as there is dry skin. The vet will be able to confirm though.
 
I agree. When I first saw the pictures I thought of a fungal issue.

I'd take her to a vet and get her checked out. Best of luck. x
 
Hi and welcome

My first guess is fungal, too. Please have your guinea pig seen and diagnosed by a good vet.
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
Here is a list of recommended vets from Massachusetts (courtesy of Guinea Lynx medical website): http://www.guinealynx.info/cabinet/index.php/Veterinarians_Massachusetts

If it turns out to be ringworm (which is the most aggressive and very transmittable form of fungal), please be aware that you need to be very careful with hygiene and handling. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

How old is your guinea pig and how long have you had him/her?
 
Thanks everyone! Sorry for the bad pictures. I did end up making a vet appointment. The pig with the illness is the black and blonde one. I've had her for almost 2 years now. The smaller brown one I've had for just under a month. They are in a big C&C cage together and I haven't had any other issues so far. The smaller one has no signs oh any illness like the larger pig does. Bedding is fully changed weekly + cage wash, cage droppings are cleaned daily. She is going to the vet tomorrow. Would this be caused by the other smaller pig even though she has no signs?
 
bdl427 said:
Thanks everyone! Sorry for the bad pictures. I did end up making a vet appointment. The pig with the illness is the black and blonde one. I've had her for almost 2 years now. The smaller brown one I've had for just under a month. They are in a big C&C cage together and I haven't had any other issues so far. The smaller one has no signs oh any illness like the larger pig does. Bedding is fully changed weekly + cage wash, cage droppings are cleaned daily. She is going to the vet tomorrow. Would this be caused by the other smaller pig even though she has no signs?
Click to expand...

It could be caused by your younger companion carrying in fungal spores in without showing signs of infection herself; not all piggies will always develop fungal.
However, if it is fungal, you may have to treat the companion as well to prevent her from coming down with it in case she is not the carrier. I would recmmend to not separate but to make sure that your companion has a course of fungal dips or baths.
Did you quarantine or get your new piggy from a place with a mandatory quarantine?

Fingers firmly crossed for your vet visit!
 
Wiebke said:
It could be caused by your younger companion carrying in fungal spores in without showing signs of infection herself; not all piggies will always develop fungal.
However, if it is fungal, you may have to treat the companion as well to prevent her from coming down with it in case she is not the carrier. I would recmmend to not separate but to make sure that your companion has a course of fungal dips or baths.
Did you quarantine or get your new piggy from a place with a mandatory quarantine?

Fingers firmly crossed for your vet visit!
Click to expand...

When I got the smaller one, she was with a bunch of other pigs. At home, she was in a separate cage next to the main one for about a week and then I started to introduce them supervised here and there. They have been in the same cage for awhile now.
 
bdl427 said:
When I got the smaller one, she was with a bunch of other pigs. At home, she was in a separate cage next to the main one for about a week and then I started to introduce them supervised here and there. They have been in the same cage for awhile now.
Click to expand...

The incubation period for fungal is usually 10-14 days between infection and outbreak. It can easily be that she could have had some spores in her fur; they survive for quite a while.
 
Sounds like they both could use a bath, haha. Thanks again for all the information! I'll definitely let the vet know of all the information I've talked about here and, I'll report back on here after the visit just for a follow up. Really appreciate the information!
 
Hi Everyone,
Had the vet appointment today, the vet has a high suspicion that she has ringworm and a good possibility that she got it from the other (new) pig. She stocked me up on meds for her and I am waiting to hear back on a Fungal Culture for confirmation. Have a follow-up appointment in two weeks and they would like me to bring both pigs. Thanks again everyone for the input... gotta get back to cleaning!
 
All the best! What medications have you got?

With ringworm, you need to treat both piggies to prevent a further outbreak and minimise the risk of a return. I know that our hygiene tips are quite a pain, but having been through ringworm twice with 16 piggies, I can tell you that it is well worth it. Ringworm can got be on top of pretty straight forward with good treatment. Just be aware that it is going to look worse as all the affected hair around the bald area needs to come out. Fungal typically sits at the hair roots and can stage a comeback if that is not the case.
 
Wiebke said:
All the best! What medications have you got?

With ringworm, you need to treat both piggies to prevent a further outbreak and minimise the risk of a return. I know that our hygiene tips are quite a pain, but having been through ringworm twice with 16 piggies, I can tell you that it is well worth it. Ringworm can got be on top of pretty straight forward with good treatment. Just be aware that it is going to look worse as all the affected hair around the bald area needs to come out. Fungal typically sits at the hair roots and can stage a comeback if that is not the case.
Click to expand...


Thanks! Yesterday I did a real deep cleaning of their main cage while I had them in a play pen. Definitely trying to nip this in the butt. Both pigs are going back to the vet in about 2 weeks. This will be the first vet visit for my newer pig. Let's hope for a clean bill of health for both!

For the medications,
Itraconazole - 0.5ML once a day by mouth for 8 days
Revolution Pup - 0.1 to shoulders every 2 weeks
Trimethoprim 0.1ML every 12 hours by mouth for 2 weeks

The medications are marshmallow flavored, the girls have really taken a liking to it.
 
Thanks! That sounds good! All the best! The itraconazole (itrafungol in the UK) should do the trick nicely. I have found it very effective with my own piggies and so much easier than the topical treatments that were the only thing we had before.
 
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