• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Crusty Lip - Mites?

Status
Not open for further replies.
katanamoon

katanamoon

Photo Competition Winner
Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
2,302
Reaction score
3,332
Points
1,235
Location
Gloucester
I've noticed today that one of my baby boys (4 weeks old on Wednesday) has a rather manky lip. He's also got some white residue in the crease behind one of his ears. Looks like another trip to the vet, what could this be? Is there anything I can do in the meantime?

He's eating fine (Burgess pellets, unlimited hay, cucumber, broccoli, celery and little gem lettuce).

20140421_105111.webp
 
Hi you, Looks possibly Fungal to me. A definite vets visit needed as it won't go away on its own.
 
Yes looks fungal to me too. Possibly even Chelitis for which you would need Nystatin too. Definitely needs a vet visit.
 
If it was just on his lips (rather than the skin around it too) I'd say Chelitis but if you've spotted bits behind the ear too it seems to me it could be more fungal. Good luck at the vets!

Ps. He's a very cute little guy even with a scabby lip!
 
Poor baby pig :( Is this something I've done?
 
I am not too sure on the technicalities, I think Chelitis tends to be yeast based as it is treated with Nystatin and pigs that are run down get it (my Nigel was prone to it in the end stages of heart failure). So it is possible here that if the little pig already has another type of fungal then the yeast has overpopulated too. Has the mother had any yeast or fungal issues?

http://www.guinealynx.info/cheilitis.html

The link says Chelitis can also be caused by bacteria.
 
katanamoon said:
Poor baby pig :( Is this something I've done?
Click to expand...
No not at all, these type of things are opportunistic. You need to check all of the pigs over though in case they start to show similar symptoms.
 
helen105281 said:
I am not too sure on the technicalities, I think Chelitis tends to be yeast based as it is treated with Nystatin and pigs that are run down get it (my Nigel was prone to it in the end stages of heart failure). So it is possible here that if the little pig already has another type of fungal then the yeast has overpopulated too. Has the mother had any yeast or fungal issues?

http://www.guinealynx.info/cheilitis.html

The link says Chelitis can also be caused by bacteria.
Click to expand...

Thanks, very interesting!
I suppose if a fungal infection causes an open sore around the mouth then it would give an opening for bacteria to cause chelitis?
 
I would think it is a possibility. I have only ever dealt with Chelitis caused by yeast though so can't say for certain.
 
Well I couldn't get an appointment for the next few days, but spoke to the vet on the phone last night and we talked through the symptoms. He said it certainly sounded like fungal and suggested Daktarin oral gel for both the ear and lip and see if that helped for the time being. I'll still take him in as soon as I can either way.
 
He said as there's a patch on the lip, the oral one would be better to use for both affected areas by putting a thin layer on both bits (not actually give orally). Don't know if this is right, I hope it is for poor baby pig's sake!
 
It is fairly sticky stuff, but I would think he has his reasons. It is effective orally.
 
It certainly is sticky! And there's so much fluff on baba's face it was hard to get the gel on his ear rather than in the fluff! Done the best I can for today though, I'll keep it up and see how we go. Can it be given orally for piggies then (for interest's sake)?
 
Yes it can but I think your pig may be too young. We only tend to recommend veterinary products on here but I have used it effectively for things like oral thrush and systemic fungal issues. Itrafungol or Nystatin are the veterninary equivalents and I have used them too.
 
Thank you so much for all of your advice - especially as I understand you aren't very well!

I wouldn't feel comfortable giving him anything without actually being seen by the vet, am just about ok with localised gel application as at least it isn't being ingested if it's not right. Poor fluff-pig, I hope it isn't hurting him :(
 
I wouldn't think it would be hurting him. It's good that your vet was able to suggest something over the phone. You may find that when he actually sees it he gives you some oral medication too.

Thank you, happy to help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top