Fungal Infection?!? Hair Loss Too Much?

[Pati]

Hi, I am new to guinea pigs and this forum! I have to apologize because I feel there are a lot of threads on this but I've been reading through multiple sites for three hours and I am still confused!
I have two little female piggies that I got from a friend whose dad has lots of pigs that all hang around with bunnies in an outdoor area. By the way, I live in Brazil right now. I got them back in February when they were very small (probably too small in hindsight) but they have been growing up nice and big and now weigh 586g and 675g respectively.
About a month ago, my bigger piggy had a scab on her back. I thought maybe the other piggy might have bit her, or else she scratched too much. I picked it off, and that was that. Or so I thought. Today I noticed another spot on her back, in the same place it seems. I looked at it and it was a clump of hair with skin attached! She also has a little scab behind one ear now. After a lot of searching I think it is a fungal infection and probably ringworm, as it is a round spot. Now I am freaking out! I don't know if there are any specialized vets in my area and I am anxious to treat my piggies. I've read that any yeast infection creams can clear this up, but you can't get those here without a Rx. I read that betadine is good, and I put it on her two spots, and am frantically checking the other pig. The other one seems fine, but I was spreading her fur out to see if I could find any spots and she was wriggling like crazy and a whole bunch of fur was falling, especially near her rear. I didn't see anything in particular but now I'm afraid they might have mites as well, since I read that they involve a more generalized shedding of fur.
I feel awful because they developed this stuff after staying with my aunt while my husband and I were away. I think she really doesn't clean their cage at all while I'm gone and just does it before she knows I'm coming to get them.
Can anyone tell me if the betadine is good, and if I should make it into a bath for both of them, and if I can independently just give them mites treatment? I do have a friend that is a vet, so I bet she could give me a Rx if I needed one. Unfortunately she only deals with cows or else I'd have her take a look at them! Sorry for the long post

 

[helen105281]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

It does sound possibly fungal but could also be mange mites too. Is there any way your friend could try to have a look at them as if it is mange mites they will need treating with Ivermectin, preferably as a course of 3 injections. Alternatively does she know of any vets that could see them? I think Betadine is Povidone Iodine and it can be effective on mild fungal but ideally you need something stronger especially if it is ringworm, If the diagnosis is fungal is there any way you can get hold of a product called Imaverol (Enilconazole) as it really is the most effective. Your vet friend may have access to this if she works with cattle and usually a prescription is not needed but it may be different in Brazil.

You also need to be very careful with hygiene while treagting fungal, remove anything wooden or cardboard and change the bedding daily. You also need to wash your hands and clothes thoroughly after handling. In the UK we use a cleaner called F10 and they also do a handgel but am not sure if you will be able to get that in Brazil.

Also if you are able to post photos of the bald areas that would help.

I won't be on here for the rest of the day as am going to London but should be online later this evening once home so can help again then if needed.

 

[Pati]

Thank you, Helen. I'll call my friend in the morning and ask her. I'll also stop at the pharmacy and my dog's vet to see if they know anything about the meds you mentioned.
I panicked a little and read about an essential oil balm containing tea tree oil, put that on, read more about tea tree, and promptly gave them two baths to get it out (without complete success). I clearly need to find a professions before I kill my pigs by accident.
Here are some photos: the first two are the original spot. Then you can kind of see a little red spot at the base of her ear. Then after my bathing fiasco, I noticed she has a little bit of sparseness over her eye! You can see how the light filters through more in the photo.


And last but not least are my two fatties together. They're still a bit wet. And the one on the left has some betadine on her neck/head.

Thanks a million. Tomorrow I'll update.

 

[helen105281]

Don't panic about the tea tree oil, am sure you got most of it off. If does look fungal from the photos so hopefully your friend can get the Imaverol for you. I would also ask about pain relief too as they may be sore.