Eye And Skinny Pig Skin Problems

[lilies4lace]

Hello!

Some of you may have seen my last post, but I thought it would be best to post it in here as well. I just rescued a skinny pig from a woman who had been taking really poor care of him today, and he appears to have a number of health issues. His skin is VERY dry so dry its cracking) and it has a layer of what I hope is just dried skin (and not some sort of fungal infection). He also has an eye (and possibly sinus) infection. I have an appointment to take him into the vets' tomorrow, however, I'm wondering if anyone has any at-home remedies for helping his eye/skin along? I was going to put a warm compress on his eye, and I have some polysporin eye drops that I can use until his apt. I was also going to give him a warm bath in diluted cinnamon (which is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial) and put some vit. E (or maybe bio-oil?) on his skin. He seems quite lethargic, but I think that's a mix of him being stressed (the lady picked him up by pinning him down until he screams first, and also puts him on the floor with her dogs/ferrets) and because I just rescued him today. Any advice would really help

Thank so much!

 

[Wiebke]

Please be do not fiddle with the eye; you can easily make things worse than better by using an inappropriate product. Lethargy is always very worrying. It is good that you already have got a vet appointment, but if your little boy is getting worse and is not perking up , please have him seen as an emergency asap!

Please make sure that he is eating properly and if necessary, hand feed and water him straight away in order to prevent the guts from closing down. Skinnies need to eat a lot more than normal piggies due to their higher metabolic rate, so this is even more important than with a regular piggy! Keep him as warm and cosy as possible.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

I have changed the title of your thread to attract members with skinny pig experience re. products that are suitable for caring for extra sensitive skinny skin. Your vet is likely to give you a product anyway.
You may find this thread here helpful: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/caring-for-skinny-guinea-pigs.38166/
@helen105281

Would you please add your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details, so we can recommend products that are available where you are. We are dealing with members from all over the world and very different climates. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. thanks!

 

[helen105281]

I would be wary of putting anything on before you see the vet as it could make things worse. If you are in the UK I use Humilac spray on my skinnies for dry skin which is easily absorbed and doesn't block pores. If the vet does diagnose fungal, skinnies can have Imaverol (Enilconazole) dips and if mange mites are diagnosed I would ask for Ivermectin injections and not spot on treatment. My late Phoebe (avatar) had incredibly sensitive skin even for a skinny and she coped with the Humilac spray well. I also second Wiebke's hand feeding advice. If he is not eating much hand feeding is so important, when Phoebe was sick we had to give almost double the amount of hand feed to what we would have given a hairy pig but sadly we still lost her.

 

[lilies4lace]

Hello,

Thanks so much for your replies and help.

He made it through the night! I took him to the vets this morning, and he was given some antibiotics for his URI and conjunctivitis. He also has a fungal skin infection, so I picked up a topical ointment for him. His skin is still bleeding, but I'm hoping that will stop as the fungal cream begins to take affect. Poor little guy :/

On the bright side, at least he's eating (hay and some vegetables, but not his pellets) and drinking. I'll keep you all updated on his progress.

As a side note, I'm from Canada I'll keep an eye out for similar products as the ones mentioned though, since I'm sure they, or ones like it, are here as well.

Thanks again!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

Thanks so much for your replies and help.

He made it through the night! I took him to the vets this morning, and he was given some antibiotics for his URI and conjunctivitis. He also has a fungal skin infection, so I picked up a topical ointment for him. His skin is still bleeding, but I'm hoping that will stop as the fungal cream begins to take affect. Poor little guy :/

On the bright side, at least he's eating (hay and some vegetables, but not his pellets) and drinking. I'll keep you all updated on his progress.

As a side note, I'm from Canada I'll keep an eye out for similar products as the ones mentioned though, since I'm sure they, or ones like it, are here as well.

Thanks again!

Good that he has got medical care. Please weigh him daily at the same time, so you can step in with hand feeding as soon as necessary and many sure that he is not losing any weight.

You can add "Canada" to your details by clicking on your username on the top bar, go to personal details and scroll down to location. That will ensure that we always cite American rather than British brands or check whether any British brands are also available in your country. Our "default" advice is British.