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How to soothe sores from mites

Nicjones99

Nicjones99

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there, I noticed on weds that my guinea pig Blossom didn't want to be picked up and even nipped at me which is very unusual. When I finally got her out I noticed a small scab at the top of her front legs, by Friday there were scabs in both legs, much bigger and looked red raw so I took her to the vet. Vet treated her (and our other pig Clover) for mites & prescribed antibiotics. Today the sores look even worse and she's definitely not herself. Is there anything I can do to soothe her skin as it looks so itchy? I've been putting Sudocreme on as a barrier, and she licked me as a thank you, but is there anything else I can use that's more effective? Or should I get straight back to the vet? I would post a pic but she's covered in Sudocreme. TIA for any advice. X
 
Nicjones99 said:
Hi there, I noticed on weds that my guinea pig Blossom didn't want to be picked up and even nipped at me which is very unusual. When I finally got her out I noticed a small scab at the top of her front legs, by Friday there were scabs in both legs, much bigger and looked red raw so I took her to the vet. Vet treated her (and our other pig Clover) for mites & prescribed antibiotics. Today the sores look even worse and she's definitely not herself. Is there anything I can do to soothe her skin as it looks so itchy? I've been putting Sudocreme on as a barrier, and she licked me as a thank you, but is there anything else I can use that's more effective? Or should I get straight back to the vet? I would post a pic but she's covered in Sudocreme. TIA for any advice. X
Click to expand...

I've changed their shaving and hay, but should I switch to a fleece for a while?
 
If things are getting worse then a trip back to the vets is needed. Give them a call and see what they advise. Have you any photos, we cannot replace the vet but someone with more experience than me might offer advise. Hope they get better soon x
 
I'm not sure sudocrem is good, sores under a barrier cream dont get chance to dry out and heal and could start festering a bit... I think the vet can advise best, perhaps they could prescribe pain relief or a sedative until the sores calm down enough that she stops fussing at them?
 
Thanks for your responses - I think I might try a different vet to get a second opinion. I don't think the Sudocreme is helping, just makes her fur all matted, but that's what the vet prescribed. Good idea about pain relief, will give her some metacam. Will post a photo later if possible. I heard mild salt water can be soothing... Does anyone know about this? X
 
I agree not using sudocreme. Also with the sores looking worse do you mean they are bigger than before? Are they scabby? Is there hairloss around the area?

For me I'm wondering if this is a fungal infection rather than mites. Scabs from itching mites usually firstly show up just below the shoulders which is the highest point the piggy can turn and bite itself. I think it would be very wise to seek out a more knowledgeable vet. Please take a look at our vet locator in the top bar for member recommended vets.
 
I must say I thought possible fungal but you need to take her back to see a vet if it could be that?
 
Hi, thanks so much for your posts - the sores aren't scabby or crusty, they're open wounds, and they are just above the shoulders. Yes, by worse I mean they are bigger. It does look like she has been desperately scratching/biting herself raw and I've seen her scratching. The vet said her tummy was irritated too and the fur is thinning there. She had the mite treatment and has been on antibiotics for 2 days and I gave her some metacam today, which helped calm her. How do you tell the difference between mites and fungal? Thanks x
 
Lady Kelly said:
Also please view our guide on ringworm/fungal just in case as it is highly contagious. My Daisy (my first experience of fungal) got one patch that was just incase her front leg. Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link - from this info it doesn't look like my piggie has ringworm - there are no bald patches (though her fur is thinning from scratching on tummy, etc), nothing on the face or eyes, no crusty patches...
 
Is there anything I can treat the sores with, or should I just leave them alone and hope the antibiotics do their job?

Would she be more comfortable on fleece than hay? If it is mites, is it possible she could have caught them from the hay in the first place?

Thanks, sorry for all the questions - I really appreciate your advice x
 
The mites could have come from the hay but its not guaranteed thats where they came from. I wouldn't put anything on the sores at all to allow them to dry out. Keep up the metacam and if its not keeping her comfortable then speak with your vet about splitting the dose so she has some twice daily as piggies have a quick metabolism. I'm assuming the wounds would be quite itchy themselves when they start to heal. I had a piggy have an abscess removed and kept scratching the wound while it was healing so I had to give metacam twice daily until it was healed.

When did she have the mite treatment and did the vet mention any follow up? Was it an injection or spot on treatment?

Usually treatment is recommended 2-3 times one week apart each time so as to catch any eggs that might also hatch.
 
The vet did a spot in treatment across her back on Saturday (and our other pig) and I have a follow-up appt next week, she said they might need 2-3 treatments. Good news is this morning the sores are looking a bit better - starting to heal. Photos attached. I think it's a good idea to avoid Sudocreme and split the Metacam dose to keep her comfortable (note, vet didn't prescribe metacam but it does seem to be helping). She has eaten this morning but not her usual greedy self. Thanks for the advice. Fingers crossed. X
 

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