Fungal or Parasites?

[claire8234]

Hi everyone

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one of my boars was losing more hair than normal and had what looked like a small amount of dandruff.

I assumed it was the start of a fungal infection and promptly treated both of my pigs with nizoral shampoo. I used it as directed but after a week I didnt really think there was much of an improvement.

At no time have they had any hair loss around their face which usually indicates the start of a fungal infection. I have been on guinea lynx and it mentions that dandruff in guinea pigs can also be caused by parasites.

If the nizoral has not cleared up their skin it is possible they have mites and need to be treated for this?

I will be speaking to the vet but would like some advice in the mean time

Thank you

 

[clairelove]

its poss.walking dandruff which is a mite you will need ivermectin 3 treatments 7-10 days a part ( must contain ivermectin) as most shop brought stuff dont contain it so you are wasting your money ask the vet to give you the injections or xeno spot on treatment from the vet only x

 

[Pebble]

Hi

Even with veggies, good pellets etc etc some piggies can still be a bit down at this time of year and extra vit C really helps...hairloss is not unusal - I have 12 pigs and at least 6 of them "shed" handfuls of hair regularly with no parasite probs at all.

Dandruff/hair loss is not just a response to parasites or fungal - it could just be dry skin and/or response to pellet food that is losing it's active vitamin content owing to storage.

I find this occurs in my piggies in response to
a) ageing food at the end of a bulk bag,
b) highly fluctuating temperatures (be it outside or inside) at this time of year cuasing moulting and,
c) (if indoors), central heating being on longer (lack of humidity)

rather than immediately thinking the cause is parasites or fungal.

If any of my (indoor) piggies start showing scurfy skin/hair loss, then extra vit C and trays of water near the radiators to increase humidity levels normally clears things up. If it doesn;t within a week - then I would first take them to my vet for a diaganosis before I hit the medicine cabinet for ivermectin (mites/lice) and nizoral or imaverol (fungal).

Excessive scratching/wounds/squealing when picked up however would go straight to the vet without first trying the Vit C/humidity option.

HTH
x

 

[claire8234]

Thanks pebble

They dont have any sore or bald patches. They are both long haired and when I brush them I am getting a lot of hair coming out on the comb with what looks like lots of skin flakes.

They also seem to be very sensitive around their bottoms and back. They dont like being brushed at the best of times but seem to be bothered a lot more by it lately and squeak loudly and jump about when I comb them.

would putting extra vit c in their water bottle help?

 

[Pebble]

Being sensitive around their bottoms "can" be an early indication of mites - however..before you reach for the ivermectin:

Vit C in water is not good as you can;t quanitfy or control the extra they may drink. I use chewable Vit C tabs (without zinc - this is important) from supermarkets and grind it up and dissolve in water prior to syringe feeding. Give each piggie an extra 30-50mg per day for a few days and see what happens!

If no change then get those boys off to the vets!

HTH
x

 

[claire8234]

Thanks Pebble.

I have seen the vitamin drops you add to water in the local pet food store and while I have never used them I was curious about whether or not they were any good (like most things sold in the pet store I bet not!)

I do have ivermectin and an antifungal spray in my guinea medicine box but have not used it. As I cannot say with certainty what is wrong with their skin I dont want to be chucking medicines at them willy nilly.

I will take them to the vet for a proper check up and was just wondering if anyone had any ideas in the mean time