Mites / Fungal ? Ongoing problem... :-(

[Henry & Chips]

Hi there

Both Henry and Chips suffer with this, but it does seem to be mainly Henry...

About 6 months ago we noticed they were scratching and biting themselves in the hind quarters. We took them to the vet who gave them 2 x ivermectin, and the problem didn't disappear, but got a lot better.

Recently, over the last few months, it has re-appeared. I have tried to treat it myself, but I am at a loss now.

On inspection of the areas they seem to be biting in a lot, I have found hair loss, but it seems to be caused by odd skin underneath. It is not like ANY of the pictures I've seen of mites or fungal on the internet, and i've looked at lots. There seems to be scratches on Henry's back, which have scabbed over. It almost looked like a long black worm down his back. I let this heal, and the scab fell off, but quickly reformed as another 'worm'. Also in the hind quarters, he has smallish bald patches with black slightly raised skin - like moles on a human - but I am sure he has never had them before.

I have given 3 x doses of topical ivermectin now. I have heard this is probably an underdose, but I would have thought it should have done some good at least.

I have given 2 bath's in Gorgeous Guinea's melts/shampoo for fungal infections.

Despite both the above, the problem is not going away and they are going mad scratching. More worryingly though, they have become withdrawn and in distress if their rump is touched. To look at, its nothing compared to pics I've seen on the internet, but still...

They do malt a fair bit, and do have a little dandruff at times.

Any ideas as to whether this is is mites or fungal?

(I am going to go the vet now, but trying to do the best I can do before I go, as I fear a dose of ivermectin will be the default treatment)

Cheers

Henry and Chips.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Have you any pictures? I know they are hard to get but it may help.

My only thought really on the black 'worms' is that they may be scratches with dried blood. If they are scratching so much then they're likely to end up with some degree of skin lesions.

Other than that, I don't know what to suggest. Maybe injectable ivermectin would work where topical failed? Let us know what the vet says, good luck.

 

[rw3399]

Is it possible they have an allergy to something they are being bathed in or something their cage is cleaned out with/bedding?

 

[Henry & Chips]

Hi All

A bit of an update:

Henry & Chips have been to the vet twice for injections of Ivermectin. Somewhere inbetween I also used Gorgeous Guinea's Coco-Neem Melt and shampoo.

They did appear to be getting a bit better for a week or so, but are now scratching and biting furiously again.

They have their (optional) follow up on Friday at the vet for the 3rd injection, but surely if it was Mites we would have seen some improvement by now after 2?

Managed to get a pic. (see attached) It does not look as bad in this pic as it is in real life, but they have a few of these on their bodies - mainly in the hind area... It is very sensitive to touch, and the squeal and jump around when I do. They look like large moles on humans, with hair loss.

In general their coat is good and healthy, but when rubbed, they are losing a lot of dandruff... It is just dandruff and nothing else - I have inspected... We do sometimes let them run free in a conservatory, which is very cold and is sometimes prone to damp/mould in the winter. We do try and keep on top of it, but thinking this might not have helped ?

Any opinions as to Mites / Fungal? I am prepared to do whatever it takes, but it would be good to know I am following the right course of action. Right now the improvement could have been from either treatment...

Many Thanks

H&C

 

[MemberX]

Have you thought about Mange Mites? http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

Hope they will be ok.

 

[Henry & Chips]

Well, Yes, they have had 5 treatments of Ivermectin now - 3 topical and 2 Injections....

No change !

 

[MemberX]

I would email Chrissie at Gorgeous Guineas with all the info, see what she thinks.

Not sure if it was mange mites would they need more doses as that is really the most severe form of mites.

 

[starla]

As Louise said if it's a severe form of mites it needs repeated treatment, a week apart each time. One of mine had a mild mange mite problem and needed 3 ivermectin injections (obviously 7-10 days apart)

I don't know how many treatments you can safely do, but if it's more severe the vet should know what to do. Luckily my pigs cleared up, but the vet did mention she had something else to try if it didn't work.

 

[starla]

I know ringworm is traditionally in a ring, but could it be that?

Or maybe a fungal infection of some kind

 

[Tracyxx]

Just so you know ringworm does not always appear in a ring. One of my sows came here with severe ringworm and treatment lasted eight weeks. Her symptoms were only very sore, open wounds along the face, neck and back. She was treated with anti-fungal ointment for two months before it was totally clear. She also had to be quarantined from my other sows. I do believe any anti-fungal treatment would work on ringworm, such as Canestan. It's a horrible thing and my sow was obviously in a lot of pain with the wounds, it took a long time to treat. It can also be passed to humans.

 

[Pigmad]

Hi, just reading through this thread, if it is fungal you may want to try a herbal tablet called dida on top of other treatment. It worked a treat on 1 of my pigs he is now healthy. you can get it from boots or holland and barrett

 

[eddieiscool]

Hi!

Sorry to hear about your piggies. If it is ringworm, you can also try Daktarin (which you get from any pharmacy). My poor piggie, Monty, had this and the cream really worked. After one week, it had completely healed and the fur started growing back. Hope you piggie gets better soon!