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Fungal Or Mites?

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Lenny&henry

Lenny&henry

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Hi everyone, I wanted to post a new thread about this as I want as many opinions as possible. One of my piggies started out with a round plaque of dry skin with red edges that eventually fell off to reveal a large bald patch on his belly. I have now noticed several areas on his body that are coated thickly in dry, white skin - exactly like human psoriasis. These are under his armpits (proper hard grains on dry skin coming off) and in the leg joints and feet where there are smaller areas with one small thickly skinned spot. Does anyone think this is more likely to be fungal or mites? Is there anything I could use that would help until I can ring the vet whose dealing with it on Sunday? (I am already using canesten and have heard now of Imaverol) I appreciate any help anyone can give.
 
It will need a definite diagnosis from the vets ASAP to determine what is causing it, as the treatment for Fungal and Mites is very different and it is impossible to diagnose over the net. I would recommend seeing a piggie vet as soon as possible, we have a recommended vet finder here https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/
 
Unfortunately it seems there aren't any recommended vets close enough, I think our current one is fairly piggy savvy she has 9 of them herself so I'll have to stick with that for now. I will contact her as soon as I can. Thanks for the advice.
 
It does sound more fungal to me than mites but see what the vet says. If it is fungal then Imaverol is your best bet as it is gentle enough to use on a young pig.
 
Yes it sounds very much like a fungal. From the description it may be ring worm but even non-piggy savvy vets should recognise this as several animals get it.
 
I will continue treating it with canesten then for the time being until I can contact the vet and I'll also get some imaverol.
 
Is fungal normally itchy or does it not have to be?
 
If it is fungal you may need oral fungal medicine (I've had intrafungal in past) which you do need a prescription for. I would get to the vet ASAP as if vet confirms this is required the courses of this treatment can take up-to 6 weeks (depending on what the vets suggests, some state constantly use for 3 weeks and others suggest one week on one week off method). The sooner you get the piggy there the sooner you can get the ball rolling. If it's ringworm it is hard to shift using topical treatments alone!
 
Thanks, I will see our vet as soon as I can, she is in on Sunday and advised me to call her then
 
Lenny&henry said:
Unfortunately it seems there aren't any recommended vets close enough, I think our current one is fairly piggy savvy she has 9 of them herself so I'll have to stick with that for now. I will contact her as soon as I can. Thanks for the advice.
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Any vet that has 9 of their own piggies would be considered savvy in my opinion too.
 
Dindypig said:
Any vet that has 9 of their own piggies would be considered savvy in my opinion too.
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Lol yes - that's part of the reason I'm so keen to keep seeing her in particular as it's easier to trust them when they love guineas themselves
 
Perhaps I should recommend her for this area - does anyone know how I do that?
 
I rang the vet today as I couldn't wait any longer as the antibiotics are not helping their URIs either so I will have to see a different vet. I feel silly going down there all the time but I'm too nervy not to :(
 
If the antibiotics are not helping the URI, it may be that your piggy has Rhinitis. Our Holly didn't respond to antibiotics but cleared up when given Bisolvon.
 
Oh right I'll ask them about that. I'm just really worried they won't take me seriously cos I have brought them back so soon.
 
Refering to the URIs, antibiotics can take several days to show any effect and are usually prescribe for 7 to 10 days and as with humans the whole course must be finished. I would suggest that you go back to the guinea owning vet with your concerns if there is no change at all. If there has been some change, it may be that a further course of antibiotics is needed. I think your vet will be more interested in trying to heal your piggy than thinking judging you.
 
They have been on them now for 10 days and have all of a sudden got worse, it's very odd
 
Yes definitely go back to the vets, they may need a longer course or a change of antibiotics? Ask them to check for any fluid on the chest too as they may need a diuretic. Also if they have snuffly noses it would be worth asking for Bisolvon as Dindypig suggests. It could be that they are run down from the ringworm or vice versa.
 
Have got septrim antibiotic now. Made no comment on the skin lesions, just said keep an eye on them!
 
Skin lesions are not normal :( Hopefully Septrin will help though. I would still book an appointment for your piggy savvy vet or get another opinion from a vet from our vet locator.
 
Given what you describe I am hesitant (especially without a picture - can you put one up please?) - to think the skin lesions are either fungal or mites. They could be an anti-inflammatory or bacterial reaction which could tie in with the respiratory and in which cased septrin may not be the best treatment.

Keep with the septrin for now but if they get worse/no improvement over the next 48-72 hours you will need to go back to the vet and discuss getting nasal swabs/skin cultures done to determine the cause and the appropriate drug(s) to treat.

HTH
x
 
Thanks for the advice, I will post a picture as soon as possible - perhaps tomorrow morning as I must jet off to work and my mum will be keeping an eye on them all day. Everyone's been so helpful thank you xx
 
Hello everyone - sorry for no pic or update. I can't take a pic as Henry is simply not having it! Their new antibiotic has made no improvement on Lenny and his URI; he's making his poor nose sore from rubbing it! Have booked an appt for Sunday with my piggy savvy vet who I was unable to see last time. While I'm there I will demand they take a good look at Henry's skin. Just come into a small bit of money, so once my poor babies health ordeals are over they're going to have a brand new hutch!
 
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