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Is this mites?

Meggy50

Meggy50

New Born Pup
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Earlier we noticed a lump on Candy’s face that wasn’t there yesterday. When I lay her on my knee to have a better look I found a sore on her underside (See pics). I haven’t seen her scratching and I looked through her fur and found nothing but I am thinking it could be mites? Lily has no sores or marks on her.

I have never had a guinea pig with mites so not sure what the sores would look like. I am hoping someone here might have an idea what it is? I will try and get a vet appointment tomorrow.

I would really appreciate any comments.

Thanks
 

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It does not look like mites, as no fur is missing and she isn’t scratching. Just keep an eye on candy and if anything else happens, take her to the vet immediately. My piggy died because he wasn’t taken to the vet early enough, so pay close attention. But it does not look very bad or a need for serious concern.
 
Vets visit please. I imagine that is fungal looking at the leg. Can't really tell on the face photo. But leg looks fungal to me.

A vet can prescribed oral or topical antifungal
 
Thank you. I just looked at the link and it does look like a fungal infection. Hope they can squeeze us in at the vets tomorrow.
 
Meggy50 said:
Earlier we noticed a lump on Candy’s face that wasn’t there yesterday. When I lay her on my knee to have a better look I found a sore on her underside (See pics). I haven’t seen her scratching and I looked through her fur and found nothing but I am thinking it could be mites? Lily has no sores or marks on her.

I have never had a guinea pig with mites so not sure what the sores would look like. I am hoping someone here might have an idea what it is? I will try and get a vet appointment tomorrow.

I would really appreciate any comments.

Thanks
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Please have your piggy vet checked for a fungal infection, potentially ringworm. Mange mites do not normally present in the face. In the early stages, ringworm and mites can look very similar, much more so than textbook pictures suggest!

Be aware that any acute fungal infection always needs to run its due course and that it is getting worse before it gets better. You also need to treat all guinea pigs in contact (applies to any skin problem whether that is fungal or skin parasites) even if the companion is not showing any symptoms yet.

If it is ringworm, I would recommend to ask your vet for oral treatment (UK: itrafungol, US: ketoconazole) as that is the most effective way of getting at it, as well as the least stressful.
The companion piggy and you can prevent coming down with ringworm with a whole body treatment with nizoral shampoo from the pharmacy. it is quite harsh on the skin, but for a one-off OK for guinea pigs, too.
We would also strongly recommend to get a vet-strength disinfectant like F10, which is proven to also kill ringworm spores. Normal disinfectants are only antibacterial but not antifungal.

Here is our ringworm hygiene guide. All the tips in there have been learned the hard way, but that means that they really work! Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
 
Completely agree that is looks like a fungal infection, but a positive vet diagnosis is needed as treating on spec can make things worse.
 
I went to the vet yesterday. The lump on her face is actually a small cut. Not sure how she got it as nothing sharp in their cage? Perhaps she and Lilly had a disagreement?

Vet looked at her leg and said it did not look like ringworm. She has given her antibiotics and i have to put hibitane on the dry skin and go back in a couple of days if no improvement.
 
Hi

I have been back to the vet today and been given Malaseb shampoo to bathe both guines pigs. The instructions say to put the shampoo on and leave for 10 minutes. Has anyone used this and whilst waiting the 10 minutes before rinsing should I keep the pigs in a blanket to keep them warm? I am worried about them getting cold during the process. I have to do this once a week for three weeks. I also have to do it on the infected area every night.

Would welcome any advice.

Thanks
 
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