Fungal Culture For Ringworm Came Back Positive

[Red Star]

Vet isn't POSITIVE its ringworm but it probably is.

I guess uh

I dont know much about ringworm other than that its super contagious to other pigs and to humans.

Agent Nibbles is the one who has it. He's in a separate cage from the other two but they're right smack next to each other. Should I move his cage farther away? Does that matter? I do wash my hands after handling him each time.

I guess I could also use just some general info about ringworm....is this a death sentence for Nibbles? I'm taking all 3 of the pigs to the vet tomorrow to be treated, but in the meantime I'm sitting here terrified of what it means. :/

Reassurance or hard moments of truth, both would be helpful at this point.

 

[Wiebke]

Vet isn't POSITIVE its ringworm but it probably is.

I guess uh

I dont know much about ringworm other than that its super contagious to other pigs and to humans.

Agent Nibbles is the one who has it. He's in a separate cage from the other two but they're right smack next to each other. Should I move his cage farther away? Does that matter? I do wash my hands after handling him each time.

I guess I could also use just some general info about ringworm....is this a death sentence for Nibbles? I'm taking all 3 of the pigs to the vet tomorrow to be treated, but in the meantime I'm sitting here terrified of what it means. :/

Reassurance or hard moments of truth, both would be helpful at this point.

Hi! Ringworm doesn't kill; but it is anything but pleasant. Unfortunately once you have got an outbreak (and that goes for all fungal skin infections, of which ringworm is just the most virulent and infectious), it has to run its due course so it is getting worse before it can get better.

Key for getting on top of it once and for all is good hygiene and splashing out on a good antifungal disinfectant that is also effective against the thousands of spores (normal products are only antibacterial). As exposure has already happened, I would recommend to give all your so far unaffected guinea pigs and any other pets that have come into the room, as well as yourself a bath/wash with antifungal shampoo to prevent an outbreak.
I have used nizoral for an all-over wash for myself, which is an anti-dandruff (i.e. antifungal) human shampoo which you can get in any pharmacy. I have however found it rather harsh for guinea pig skin.

You may find our ringworm care guide helpful, as it is very detailed and step-by-step; it is also based on our own practical experience with ringworm in a multi-cavy household and how to make sure that you get rid of it forever. it is well worth doing a spot of overkill in the hygiene department as ringworm is the single most transmittable problem between all mammals.
We have included US brands that are contain the same active ingredient to the UK ones we have found most effective in our guide. Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
Here is more information and more products from this US based site: Guinea Lynx :: Fungus

 

[Red Star]

Thanks so much for the response!

I went to the vet and it turns out it might not be ringworm, but it is definitely SOME kind of fungus. The vet said that if it had been ringworm, they were expecting to see a big, white and fluffy fungus on the culture thing, but instead it's green and fuzzy. So they aren't sure what it is, they just know it's something. She also suspects that Nibbles' neurological symptoms may be unrelated.

Has anyone ever had a skin sample taken and it come back with that description that you know of?

The vet also suggested fungal shampoo, so I will be looking into the links you gave me, thank you! I plan to bathe all three piggies in it once the time is right (she said not until Monday because we dont' want to wash off the mite treatment he is also getting).

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks so much for the response!

I went to the vet and it turns out it might not be ringworm, but it is definitely SOME kind of fungus. The vet said that if it had been ringworm, they were expecting to see a big, white and fluffy fungus on the culture thing, but instead it's green and fuzzy. So they aren't sure what it is, they just know it's something. She also suspects that Nibbles' neurological symptoms may be unrelated.

Has anyone ever had a skin sample taken and it come back with that description that you know of?

The vet also suggested fungal shampoo, so I will be looking into the links you gave me, thank you! I plan to bathe all three piggies in it once the time is right (she said not until Monday because we dont' want to wash off the mite treatment he is also getting).

Fungal treatment is basically the same, apart from the fact that other kinds of fungal are not as agressive and as transmittable; but they can still spread to other piggies and their stuff still needs disinfecting. It is just that you are no likely to catch it or pass it on.

I would recommend imaverol/eniconazole for combining mildness with effectiveness, especially with younger or frail piggies, or when you have fungal spots close to sensitive areas like eyes or ears. Please still treat both guinea pigs.
Malaseb is not cheap, but a good shampoo that also works on microbial problems. Surolan is another good product.

There are lots of different forms of fungus around; most labs just test for ringworm.

 

[Red Star]

So are there any affordable, non-prescription anti-fungal shampoos out there that are safe for guinea pigs? Google is giving me cheap dog and cat shampoo which I don't know if i can use on Nibbles, and like $150 prescription guinea pig shampoo, which is out of my budget at this point.

I have a topical anti-fungal that the vet gave me to put directly on the spots that are troubling him, but it seems like it's almost more of a comfort thing than a 'this will solve the illness' thing, and she suggested to give him an anti-fungal bathe, along with the younger pigs, too.

Thanks for all your help, everyone!

 

[Wiebke]

So are there any affordable, non-prescription anti-fungal shampoos out there that are safe for guinea pigs? Google is giving me cheap dog and cat shampoo which I don't know if i can use on Nibbles, and like $150 prescription guinea pig shampoo, which is out of my budget at this point.

I have a topical anti-fungal that the vet gave me to put directly on the spots that are troubling him, but it seems like it's almost more of a comfort thing than a 'this will solve the illness' thing, and she suggested to give him an anti-fungal bathe, along with the younger pigs, too.

Thanks for all your help, everyone!

You can find brand names that are suitable for guinea pigs and available in the US via both our ringworm care link or the Guinea Lynx link in my previous post.

Please follow our hygiene tips to prevent re-infection and further transmission. It is also really worth investing in a good antifungal disinfectant to get on top of ringworm as thousands of spores are shed that can stay life for up to 18 months. The more efficient the disinfectant, the less the risk of picking it up again.