Cut Under Eye

[Cavy Lover]

I just noticed that Beano has a cut under her eye. It is scabbing up and doesn't look like it is infected. I have three girls and a neutered male so I thought there wouldn't be any fighting. I don't know what happened and I feel awful. I am just hopeing that it was a one time thing. She seems pretty happy but that doesn't make me feel any less concerned.
Maybe you could help @Wiebke please.
Any advice would be helpful please.
Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

I just noticed that Beano has a cut under her eye. It is scabbing up and doesn't look like it is infected. I have three girls and a neutered male so I thought there wouldn't be any fighting. I don't know what happened and I feel awful. I am just hopeing that it was a one time thing. She seems pretty happy but that doesn't make me feel any less concerned.
Maybe you could help @Wiebke please.
Any advice would be helpful please.
Thanks.

Could it be the start of ringworm? My Tegan had what I initially thought as a cut under her eye, but it developed into a full blown ringworm patch (first picture in the link). I guess you will know in a couple of days. If nothing happens, a swipe with a back claw can very occasionally be misjudged and cause a little cut.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

 

[GPTV]

Aww poor beano.
Have u got photo of it?
She hasn't scratched it when she's been having an itch has she?
Could be worth double checking for mites/lice in case she's scratching for that reason.

Are her toenails sharp or maybe she caught a nail &scratched her face with the damaged nail.
Do they bundle together at all? Maybe one of the others got a bit excited &caught with their nail-wouldn't have to be fighting if they all generally get along

As long as it doesn't affect the eye, I would probably keep a close watch of it &see a vet if your at all worried about it.

Hopefully its something simple &clears up quickly.

Healing vibes, luv the girls &I
Xx

 

[Lady Kelly]

I was going to say that when I first got bumble and Bea, bumble was too cuddly for Beas liking and ended up with a scabby eye from being kicked away once. Obviously observing group behaviour will show you whether something is happening fall out wise. When Jemima decided to no longer tolerate Issy all 4 of them were spooked, quiet, very spaced out so it was obvious something was going down

 

[Cavy Lover]

Thanks guys.
She doesn't seem to be at it so hopefully it will heal.
Yes they do huddle up together so that could be possible and she could have been scratching. I will check her nails tomorrow.
I'm hopeing it isn't ringworms.
I will keep an eye on their behaviour aswell.
Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

If there has been a fight/fall-out, you usually notice the changed atmosphere. It the grous is behaving as normal, you can be sure that nothing untoward has happened.

 

[Cavy Lover]

Hello.

I have had another look at it and I am not sure. I went to my mum for advice and she said that it didn't look like ringworm. But she said that she would lend me some fungsidal cream (I think that is what is called). Just in case. The cream is for dogs but isn't that strong just for pups. Will that work? @Wiebke just wondering. Thanksm

 

[Wiebke]

Please do not use any fungicidal cream on spec if you are not sure what you are dealing with, especially not near such a sensitive organ like an eye.

If things have not got any worse until now, then it is most likely just a cut. If it was ringworm, a wider area would be affected by now and you should see some white fungally bits to the side of the scratch.

 

[Flutterby]

Oh no Sending healing vibes! Hope things are sorted soon!

 

[Cavy Lover]

Please do not use any fungicidal cream on spec if you are not sure what you are dealing with, especially not near such a sensitive organ like an eye.

If things have not got any worse until now, then it is most likely just a cut. If it was ringworm, a wider area would be affected by now and you should see some white fungally bits to the side of the scratch.

Thanks. I will have a better inspection tomorrow. And make sure she is alright. If it was ringworm what would be the treatments and will she be alright?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks. I will have a better inspection tomorrow. And make sure she is alright. If it was ringworm what would be the treatments and will she be alright?

It depends on what your vet will prescribe, but we recommend enilconazole/imaverol dip, as it is very effective and can be used with guinea pigs of any age. It is also mild enough to be used carefully next to eyes, ears and mouth. Itrafungol is an oral systemic fungicide that has been found to be very effective with ringworm and other fungal problems, but it is prescription only.
As long as you are very careful with the hygiene (ringworm is very infectious across all mammalian species including humans) and trat both piggies with the dip, ringworm can be got on top of within 7-14 days with another 14 days observation period afterwards.
You can find all the relevant information (with pictures!) in here: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

 

[joanie]

One of my boys started with a cut under his eye last year and that turned out to be fungal too. The vet prescribed some cream for him (sorry i dont remember the name of it) and it did take several weeks to clear up, as everytime it started healing he would have a good scratch again and keep pulling off the scabs, but we got there in the end!