Help With Fungal Looking Skin Complaint Plus Swelling.

[Stewybus]

I've just got back from visiting a friend in Cumbria & need to find some answers for him.

He's got 2 full boars, not neutered. I picked one up & his belly was all dry & scabby to feel so turned him over & he was bald from him bottom to his chest. It looks like a fungal so have suggested he book a vet's appointment to see about getting treatment such as Imaverol possibly antibiotics. I also picked up the other boar which lives in a cage next to the first one & if anything his condition is even worse. They both see swollen round the genitals/testicles area. This may look worse because they're both totally bald down there & the skin colour does look slightly inflamed.

I thought I'd ask so that I can phone later tonight to give him info which may be useful when he takes them to the vets. I've already shown him how to apply the Imaverol & see if the vet prescribed it. I usually give 4 applications 3 days apart then a break of 7 days before starting again if the infection is still there. I'd like any thoughts that anyone can give. Thanks in advance.

 

[helen105281]

Oh that sounds really bad, if it is diagnosed as fungal then I would recommend a course of Itrafungol for each pig too, preferably for 3 rounds with a week in between each round. The Itrafungol keeps working on the week off so it is effectively a 6 week course. The Imaverol is a good idea, did you show him as a topical application or a dip? I tend to dip once a week and then treat topically in between for a total of 4 dips altogether. He could also use an anti-fungal shampoo before each dip, like Nizoral of Alphosyl but I would probably favour Malaseb if it is really bad.

Obviously it is dependant on fungal being diagnosed as it could even be a bad case of mange mites or a combination problem. Also, what are they bedded on?

 

[Stewybus]

Thanks Helen. I use the Imaverol by holding the guinea on their back & just have my thumb over the bottle neck & release some liquid & rub in in with my fingers. I find you get a much better application than by using a cotton bud. I then rub it in, including the surrounding fur. They're currently bedded on shavings with hay on top, so generally not much contact with the shavings. I'll pass the other info on because I don't know if their vet is piggy savvy. My friend doesn't drive but there is a piggy savvy vet at Cockermouth, 15 miles away so could possibly get a bus there.