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Flaxseed Oil For Dry Itchy Skin

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Ellbell

Ellbell

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello,
My vet has recommended I give my piggie flax seed oil for dry itchy skin. I got her from a really bad environment and she wasn't in the best condition. She's long haired so her coat is also very dry and rough. I was wondering if anyone has used flaxseed oil and if so, how did they get their piggie to take it?
Also what have others used for dry itchy skin?
 
I have never used it for guinea pigs so no idea if you can but have used it for my hedgehogs for years. I buy capsules and make a hole in them and put four drops once a week in their food and sometimes drop it on their skin.Am sure someone with more guinea knowledge then me will come along with a better answer for you:D
 
I haven't given Flaxseed oil but my skinny Phoebe has Evening Primrose oil by syringe. I think it is for her skin but could be her general inflammation issues that she has, she has been on it that long I can't remember.
 
You could always give her a dip in Imaverol, it is gentle, will get rid of any dry skin (or any potential fungal issues) and is an emollient too. The active ingredient is Enilconazole, not sure if it is available in Australia though.
 
Has your vet made sure that it is not caused by a fungal problem? Not all fungal is ringworm. I would also recommend to use a mild fungal shampoo or dip. I wouldn't think that flaxseed oil is harmful to guinea pigs, though.

Hopefully, with a good diet high in fibre and your good care, your piggy will recover and boost its immune system, so it can help heal itself. Up the vitamin C for the first few weeks, either in giving a bit more high vitamin C veg or 1/8 of a human vitamin C tablet.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
 
Thanks for everyone's advice. It's been really helpful. I got some creams from georgious guineas but her skin is even to sensitive for those. I gave her a bath in a Pyohex medicated shampoo but no good. I'll give a anti fungal shampoo a try next. I just wish I would sooth her skin. It's so red and sore :(
 
Has she has mites treatment? (Under the circumstances, preferably injected)?
@Ellbell
 
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All my piggies just had revolution treatments done. One of my piggies had ringworm on her face which I treated and has almost gone. It's been hot and wet here at the moment so I think that caused it. She's had bad skin since I got her a month ago.
I'm not to sure what fungal treatment to use that's not to harsh. Any suggestions?
I have taken her to the vets and they don't seem to think much is wrong and only gave me another dose of revolution.
 
That does look very fluoresced to me, which is a sign of fungal, especially with the weather you are having. Fungal does not necessarily mean Ringworm either. Mange mites are also a possibility, am not too sure about the effectiveness of Revolution. Was the redness present before the Revolution was given?
 
That looks rather like an advanced state of ringworm to me! :(

Can you persuade your vet to order a product with the active ingredient itraconazole (UK: itrafungol, US: Sporonox). This the mildest oral fungicidal treatment with the least long term problems. It is prescription only. In our experience, it has made treating ringworm so much easier and more effective. I would still recommend to treat topically with enilconazole in combination.
Here are our ringworm recomemndations: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
 
helen105281 said:
Can you get hold of Enilconazole in Australia? is the most effective but also most gentle treatment for fungal.

This is the UK version:

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Enilconazole-100mg_ml-100ml-Imaverol/productinfo/ENILCON/


@Lilly do you know if this is available in Australia?
Click to expand...
I have only been able to source one place, other than the vets. Here it is called Ivermectin. http://thecavycottage.com.au/catalog/Health_Grooming-8-1.html This is a piggy rescue & will ship. They are also the only ones I can get critical care from, other than a vet.
 
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Ughhh I had mites and lice on my pigs over the summer, it was so humid and hot around here and i put my piggies and bunny outside and they got a severe case of mites and lice , it was horrible also during this my cats and dogs had a bad case of fleas which we treated with revolution man i love that stuff.
 
so I went to the vets and I mentioned a few products mentioned on here and they decided to give me a shampoo called Malaseb. Apparently it gives really good results. I'll be washing my piggies and everything they own ASAP. Fingers crossed it helps her....
 
Also.... Should I give her vitamin c tablets to help her out? The vet suggested this also. She gets things like kale, celery (cut small), red capsicum, mixed greens ect daily in small doses. About a cup. I'm not sure she needs it but if it will help her skin I'm all for it.
 
Malaseb is good but not soothing and if it is Ringworm you are dealing with it may not be strong enough. If it doesn't help then I would go back and ask for either Itrafungol or Imaverol.

Vitamin C would help, any excess will be passed in the urine anyway.
 
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