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Mites or fungal infection?

M

Mochyn

New Born Pup
Joined
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Bala, Wales
Hello, my daughter’s guinea pig Noah has a horrible skin condition with open sores on his lower back. I have taken him to the vet several times and have been given a shampoo for mites, spot on drops for ringworm as well as bathing with hibiscrub. It all helps but just comes back again. I also scrub down the cage and change regularly. Can anyone suggest a remedy please.
 

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Mochyn said:
Hello, my daughter’s guinea pig Noah has a horrible skin condition with open sores on his lower back. I have taken him to the vet several times and have been given a shampoo for mites, spot on drops for ringworm as well as bathing with hibiscrub. It all helps but just comes back again. I also scrub down the cage and change regularly. Can anyone suggest a remedy please.
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Hi and welcome!

From your username I assume that you are Welsh?

I am very sorry about your problems! How piggy savvy is your vet?

Mange mites (which this is likely to be, seeing the self inflicted bite wounds into the inflamed and painful skin but no fungal scurf) are treated with ivermectin or a selamectin product. Ivermectin can be given as a spot-on in normal cases (recommended UK brand is xeno) or as an injection in more severe cases. Please be aware that any treatment consists of at least three applications at the product specific interval (more in severe cases), otherwise the mites will return.

Please also be aware that you have to always wait at least 48 hours between any skin application of any product to allow it to be fully absorbed before you can treat with something else, including a disinfectant.

Ringworm (which looks different) is treated ideally with an oral fungicide or with a fungal dip.

How long/how many times and how often have you treated for and with which products so we have a better idea of what avenues to recommend or pursue with you?
Mange mites burrow their eggs in the painfully inflamed skin. Many piggies already have these eggs, which are usually kept under control by a fully working immune system. They are most common in highly stressed young pet shop or breeder piggies with not yet fully developed immune systems, in pregnant sows, ill, frail or elderly piggies whose immune system is lowered or no longer working as it should.

Here is more information about the various complaints and their treatment:
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

Here is our list of recommended UK vets: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
 
Thank you. Yes we’re in Wales and the vets are a lotmore sheep than piggy savvy!

So far initially I was given Hibiscrub which did help to heal the wounds but not to treat the underlying problem. Then Malaseb shampoo - not sure that did a lot but we kept both up for weeks. However the problem still persisted and the vet seemed baffled so I looked at various online articles and bought ivermectin spot on drops online. I carried on with these for about 4 doses - and they did help I think. But it still came back. I used them again for several doses too but run out now. I got them over the internet - would that make a difference? Do I need to go via the vet?

We have 3 piggies. I was told to separate them due to the skin problem but it stressed them out so much that I put them back together in the end. The other 2 don’t seem to be affected. They are different hair types. They all live free range in the garden with a wooden hutch. Noah’s skin was much better over the summer, when they were barely in the hutch (the skin condition has been going on since about March). It has worsened since the weather got worse. I was wondering whether mites could live in the wood of the hutch? I have scrubbed it but perhaps I should get a plastic one?

Thanks for your help!
 
Mochyn said:
Thank you. Yes we’re in Wales and the vets are a lotmore sheep than piggy savvy!

So far initially I was given Hibiscrub which did help to heal the wounds but not to treat the underlying problem. Then Malaseb shampoo - not sure that did a lot but we kept both up for weeks. However the problem still persisted and the vet seemed baffled so I looked at various online articles and bought ivermectin spot on drops online. I carried on with these for about 4 doses - and they did help I think. But it still came back. I used them again for several doses too but run out now. I got them over the internet - would that make a difference? Do I need to go via the vet?

We have 3 piggies. I was told to separate them due to the skin problem but it stressed them out so much that I put them back together in the end. The other 2 don’t seem to be affected. They are different hair types. They all live free range in the garden with a wooden hutch. Noah’s skin was much better over the summer, when they were barely in the hutch (the skin condition has been going on since about March). It has worsened since the weather got worse. I was wondering whether mites could live in the wood of the hutch? I have scrubbed it but perhaps I should get a plastic one?

Thanks for your help!
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Thank you for updating; that helps a lot!

As the other two piggies are not affected, I would not separate and stress out your poorly piggy any more. It is possible that either a bug may have got into the skin despite your vet's measures and causes discomfort or that it has just become a reflexive action as can happen in the wake of a severe mites attack after some protracted discomfort, even though the mites themselves have gone.

Could you see whether a firm coat could help to prevent your piggy from biting open the affected areas again and again? Unfortunately piggies are master wigglers so you may want some expert tips. Hopefully this can help the break the cycle of your piggy biting open the affected areas again and again.

@Abi_nurse @pig in the city may be able to help you with practical tips on that.
 
PS: Could you please add 'Wales' and your county to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar) in order to make it appear with every post we make. This will allow us to tailor any advice to what is relevant and available to you straight away and take into account your vet/rescue access etc.
We have members and enquiries from all over the world, very different backgrounds, climates and conditions, including medical brands. Our default advice is urban UK where the majority of our members is based, but which doesn't apply for you. Thank you!
 
Can the mites live in the wood of the hutch? Should we look at getting a new hutch?
 
Mochyn said:
Can the mites live in the wood of the hutch? Should we look at getting a new hutch?
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You can buy a veterinary grade disinfectant such as F10 which will deep clean and kill any bugs/eggs that may be lurking
 
Hi. So your piggy has only had spot on ivermectin? I think a course of injections from your vet are likely to be more effective. All piggies carry the mite but it doesn't cause problems unless your piggy is immune suppressed for some reason, such as by stress or illness.
Do the piggies all get on well? Is this piggy maybe bullied? Maybe the cold and damp is bothering him? Not all piggies cope well with living outside. I think these are the things to consider. Maybe they need to be brought inside to a coolish room until spring arrives.
 
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