Fungal help

[VickyHays]

I have two guinea pigs, both with babies. All living together.
The first litter are 3.5 weeks old and today I have noticed that they all have random patches of thickened scabby skin. The hair hasn't fallen out. I have totally panicked and gone to the vet. The vet wasn't 100% sure it was ringworm but I have come away with imaverol in case. Neither of the mums have any patches, nor do the litter of 1 week old babies. Thank god!

I am so desperately upset that this has happened, as I am so on top of cleaning, and ensuring they all have a great diet etc.

I will dunk them all tomorrow in the Imaverol dip, and then treat each patch individually every four days. I am also planning on treating with ivomec on Friday.

Please can anyone offer me any words of encouragement, or advice as I am tearing myself apart over this

 

[Piggies&buns]

Unfortunately it happens, please don’t blame yourself. Clean down the cages with f10 (available on amazon) to kill any spores and wash any fabric bedding, throw away any items you can’t thoroughly wash (wooden items for example).

As an important aside, Have you confirmed the sexes of the babies? Any boys need to be separated from girls at 3 weeks of age to prevent further pregnancies.

 

[VickyHays]

I already use F10 as it's meant to be anti fungal. I'm going to separate the boys tomorrow, and will throw all wooden hides out. Do you think I'm safe to dunk the week old babies too?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I already use F10 as it's meant to be anti fungal. I'm going to separate the boys tomorrow, and will throw all wooden hides out. Do you think I'm safe to dunk the week old babies too?

Yes f10 is Antifungal.

How much do the 3.5 week old baby boys weigh?

I can’t comment on the safety of dipping week old babies - I’ve not had to do it before. I am not sure I would do it though If they aren’t displaying symptoms @PigglePuggle @Siikibam ?

 

[VickyHays]

They don't have any signs on them, it's just the 3.5 week old litter that do, but I was going to dunk them all to be safe.

 

[Piggies&buns]

They don't have any signs on them, it's just the 3.5 week old litter that do, but I was going to dunk them all to be safe.

As above, I am not sure that I would do it given they aren’t showing symptoms. I’ve tagged in some other health advisors for assistance

Do you know how much the 3.5 week old baby boys weigh?

 

[VickyHays]

No, but I can weigh them in the morning.

 

[Piggies&buns]

No, but I can weigh them in the morning.

It is essential to know. From 3 weeks or 250g baby boys can make their own babies. If they meet these criteria, then the females will need to be put back on pregnancy watch

 

[VickyHays]

Thank you. I'll separate in the morning

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Opinions are divided as to when you can or should treat nursing mothers and babies, especially preventatively. We generally recommend to seek veterinary advice as they can judge the severity, weight/sturdiness etc. during a hands-on examination and balance out the competing factors to make an informed decision, which we cannot do.

Please separate any male babies at 3 weeks or 250g - whichever comes first. Our added weight qualifier is to take into account the different development of very large and very small babies and give them the optimal but still safe time with their mother and sisters. 250g is the average weight of a 3 week old boar.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sexing-separating-baby-boars-and-rehoming-babies.109391/
New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites

 

[VickyHays]

I'll separate tomorrow, I'm just depressed as hell about the fungal problem. I'm so worried about it spreading to the others in the hutch, me or my dogs

 

[Wiebke]

I'll separate tomorrow, I'm just depressed as hell about the fungal problem. I'm so worried about it spreading to the others in the hutch, me or my dogs

Please read our ringworm advice via the link I have given you. Our guide is based on a dozen years of finding just about every way it can be transmitted and how to address and close out the various potential angles. We have had plenty of time to learn from our mistakes and work out what works and what not. This has all gone into the very detailed and practical guide. When done properly, ringworm can be got on top of. It is not what any of wants to deal with, but with some application of a little application it can be done.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[PigglePuggle]

They don't have any signs on them, it's just the 3.5 week old litter that do, but I was going to dunk them all to be safe.

I would consult the vet about treating the babies, did you mention to the vet you had babies? Have they had a routine health check yet? 3.5 weeks is definitely about time they saw the vet anyway for definitive sexing and a routine health check, otherwise if you have baby boars there will be more pregnancies...

 

[LucyP]

Sorry to hear about this. I can’t add any advice but just wanted to offer support. I was gutted when my pigs got ringworm and it’s frustrating to deal with...but I followed the guidance on here and got rid of it and I’m sure you will too. Try not to get too down about it, our vet said it’s a classic piggie issue and unfortunately very common, even with good, caring owners which you sound like you are. The main thing is it is entirely treatable, a bit of a faff but definitely something you can get through and then you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the pigs! Good luck with it and you have my sympathy!

 

[VickyHays]

Thank you so much for your support, I'm gutted and just want to fast forward to the time when it's all healed up!

At what point will I know we are clear and safe again?

 

[PigglePuggle]

The vet can send a sample to the lab for a dermatophyte (skin fungus) culture test after you finish treatment and if nothing grows in the culture after 2 weeks you can probably assume that's the end of things for now.
But sadly ringworm spores are very persistant and even with the best treatments and cage hygiene regime its good to stay vigilant just in case for a few weeks, so if anything flares up again you spot it at the first sign!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your support, I'm gutted and just want to fast forward to the time when it's all healed up!

At what point will I know we are clear and safe again?

Please read our compehensive green ringworm guide link (in my previous post); it not only contains all the necessary hygiene tips to help you get on top of the tiny long-lived spores but also contains pictures of how an acute outbreak runs its due course, including when the acute phase is over and how it is healing up again.

It has taken me more than a day to write and to make sure that all necessary information is in there. I simply cannot repeat all the details for everybody and cannot give all the crucial tips in just two short sentences! I hope that you understand that. Just sit down, and you'll find that all the information in word and pictures is in there to make it as clear as possible.