I Don't Believe This Is Ringworm?

[JJ226]

Hi,

This is my guinea pig Audrey's eye.

The vet has said it is ringworm and has prescribed itrafungol. I'm now 6 days into the treatment and the picture shows what it is currently like.

None of my other pets are showing any signs of ringworm at all? And I have 7 other guinea pigs and 2 rabbits.

Is anyone able to suggest any other possible causes?

Many Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

This is my guinea pig Audrey's eye.

The vet has said it is ringworm and has prescribed itrafungol. I'm now 6 days into the treatment and the picture shows what it is currently like.

None of my other pets are showing any signs of ringworm at all? And I have 7 other guinea pigs and 2 rabbits.

Is anyone able to suggest any other possible causes?

Many Thanks

View attachment 64429

Hi and welcome!

Your vet is right; it is a classic fungal infection, most likely ringworm. Please do what he has said and finish the course of itrafungol. It takes 10-14 days between infection and outbreak for the ringworm to show. It also usually takes at least a week of itrafungol to get on top of ringworm. The itrafungol is actually working as it has stopped the affected area from spreading. I would recommend to use a dip to get rid of the fungal exudations and any hairs that have been affected. The fungus usually sits at the root of the hairs.
We recommend imaverol/enilconazole dip (available from hyperdrug), as it is the one that affects the eye the least, but is the most efficient when it comes to removing hairs.

You need to give all guinea pigs in contact or in reach of ringworm spores a fungal dip in order for them to prevent an outbreak and then again at the end again to prevent any fungal spores being carried across in the fur. ringworm spores can alive for up to 18 months.

Please take the time to read our guide and look at the pictures. Any acute fungal infection has run its due course, but you can do loads to prevent infection, re-infection and an outbreak in others by following our tips, which are based on our experiences and how to get on top of it as quickly as possible and as permanently as possible.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[JJ226]

Thank you for the reply.

I took on some of my pigs around 18 months ago because they had ringworm and couldn't just leave them in pets at home. At that point, everyone was completely treated and cured (all paid for by pets at home) so it's just taken me by surprise for it to suddenly appear again.

The pigs I took on then had massive bald patches all over their bodies so this patch on the eye seemed completely different to the last experience I had of it.

Audrey is currently quarantined away from everyone else in her own C&C cage and I'm checking everyone else daily thoroughly in case any outbreaks occur but luckily nothing currently so fingers crossed!

Hi and welcome!

Your vet is right. Please do what he has said. It takes 10-14 days between infection and outbreak. You need to give all guinea pigs in contact or in reach of ringworm spores a fungal dip in order for them to prevent an outbreak and then again at the end again to prevent any fungal spores being carried across in the fur. ringworm spores can alive for up to 18 months.

Please take the time to read our guide and look at the pictures. Any acute fungal infection has run its due course, but you can do loads to prevent infection, re-infection and an outbreak in others by following our tips, which are based on our experiences and how to get on top of it as quickly as possible and as permanently as possible.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures