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Dry skin or something more sinister..

Two_Wheeks

Two_Wheeks

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello! Any ideas what I might be looking at here? It must have come up pretty quickly as it wasn’t there yesterday. Just got the boys out for a brush and nail trim and noticed this by Gibson’s ear..

thanks for any advice!
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Hello. My Pepper had a white crusty patch by his ear when I first got him. He was treated for mites. I’d get the vets to diagnose properly though and get the right strength treatment. Hope it clears up quickly. 😊
 
I don’t know what it is. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have it checked out.
 
Oh dear that does look suspiciously like it could be ringworm to me... best get a vet check in the next couple of days, well done for spotting it so soon- a proper vet diagnosis and some prescription treatment will confirm and should clear it up, also cage hygiene measures like cleaning with F10 disinfectant, hot washing fleeces, etc. We have a very good guide on the forum somewhere but I cant post links from my phone, hopefully someone can link it in for you? @Siikibam is online today I think? Or anyone else?
 
Thanks everyone..
bedding is hot washed regularly, though I will invest in some F10.

I guess Keith will need checking, too?

never happens midweek does it.. always a weekend..!
Do you think waiting to Tuesday is ok or shall I try and get something sooner?
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Thanks everyone..
bedding is hot washed regularly, though I will invest in some F10.

I guess Keith will need checking, too?

never happens midweek does it.. always a weekend..!
Do you think waiting to Tuesday is ok or shall I try and get something sooner?
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Its not an emergency, but shouldnt wait more than a week at most as if it is ringworm, it could spread to other parts of the body plus the cage mate and can also infect humans. Tuesday should be fine. I see @Siikibam has linked in the guide for you there, of course only the vet can diagnose properly, but roundish scabby bald patches around the face are fairly indicative for ringworm. Best of luck!
 
:agr: That it does look suspiciously like ringworm. To be on the safe side, treat it as if it is ringworm until told otherwise. Ie follow the hygiene procedures in the guide - to prevent transmission to humans. Start binning anything you can’t hot wash or soak in F10 cleaning fluid. Ringworm isn’t life threatening or anything, but it is a real pain to get rid of with all the cleaning and precautions to take against getting it yourself.
 
Yep, have changed all of the bedding out and cleaned the correx (had some F10 lurking in the garage from my last purchase!), changed my clothes, the vet is going to call back but wasn’t sure about prescribing itrafungal. If they say no is there any other way I can get it?
The cat and dog are wormed regularly so hopeful they won’t have picked anything up, too..

we had an outbreak of ringworm in us humans a few years ago when my niece kindly shared it round.. what a nightmare that was!
 
I’m pretty sure itrafungal and sporonox have to be vet prescribed. But you can buy the imaverol for dipping without prescription. But dipping is a longer and more laborious process than giving oral itrafungol, which definitely works best.
 
Ringworm isnt actually a worm, its a fungal infection, so worming medicines wont prevent it in the dog or cat. However hopefully they dont come too near the piggies. F10 make a good hand sanitiser that kills fungal spores as well as bacteria and viruses, a good investment to use between touching different pets!

If the vet doesnt want to prescribe an oral antifungal then surolan or micazole are both effective prescription topical treatments- we used both of these when Blodwen arrived with ringworm but was underweight with teeth problems so the vet didnt want to risk oral treatment- just be careful so near the eye, surolan may be better as it is lotion rather than spray so can be better targeted in the face area.

The non prescription antifungal shampoo or dip may be useful for the cagemate, and to use after the prescription treatment is done to make sure the fur is clean of spores.

Best of luck! X
 
Thank you, all!
The cats three monthly spot on says worms and ringworm, but I will keep an eye on them both. Hopefully it’s only just started sporing..
Nothing still from the local vet..
do you think C&R might prescribe by seeing photos/videos (he is registered there)? If not I might make the drive up there. Gibson hates, hates, being wet so any form of dipping wouldn’t be great for him, I’d rather spend a little more and use the oral treatment..
 
Two_Wheeks said:
So we have itrafungal, 0.5ml twice a day, but thank Bly for Gibson, does that sound right?
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It’s usually given on the basis of the piggy’s weight. The vets can prescribe higher doses if necessary for the condition. Sorry I can’t advise on dosage specifically.
 
If this is itrafungol for cats and the concentration of the medicine is 0.5mg/ml, the recommended cat dose is 0.5mls per kg bodyweight.
I believe as with so many medicines it is off label for piggies with no official dosing guide- vets often have to assume piggies are a small cat or rabbit with a fast metabolism!
So not knowing the exact formulation or piggy's weight or what experienced vets usually give... 0.5mls sounds in the correct ballpark. If the vet was confident to prescribe it right away then they must have previously used it on piggies safely at the dosage given :)
 
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