my brain damaged GP

[gypsie]

Hi guys i really could do with a little bit of help and advice please
Last year in november i rescued 2 GP's that i called Ben & Jerry they were around 6 months old when i collected them it was clear that poor Ben had some problems and the vet confirmed that he has quite bad brain damage they are not sure if he was born like this or if he was damaged afterwards, any way he and his brother have been with me ever since and and although he has not improve life has been good he manages to get around and eats and drinks well until now he has been very heathy but this evening i have been up to check on them and he has pulled some of his hair out and has got a sore patch like a scab on his back, he will be of to the vets tomorrow but just wondered if you have any ideas i know it could be mites and i was going to put on some aleo vera on it to help with the soreness i have check his brother but being long haired it is very difficult to see any missing hair but i cant see any thing on him.
My once concern us that because he is brain damaged he can have repetative behaviour and i am worred that he has done this to him self
I am so worried about him as he is a very special little man and i dont want any thing to happen to him.
i will update you all tomorrow but if any one has any advice i would be very grateful

 

[Wiebke]

If you stroke gently over the bald patch and he squirms, that's a good indicator for mites.

I wish you all the best and hope that you get to the bottom of it; it looks like one of the skin parasites (mtes is probably the likeliest) or fungus...

 

[Millie's-Mummy]

Just wanted to say good luck at the vets tomoorw and give the boy's a cuddle and a kiss from me x

 

[boureki]

I'll move this to the Health and Illness board for you as you may get more responses there.

Could it be mites, or a skin condition do you think? Gorgeous Guineas have a good identification page here: http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/indentification.html

 

[alcesterpigs]

In what way does the brain damage show itself?
I had a brain-damaged pig, who died yesterday, he was just three years old. He was always a little bit unsteady on his feet and he had difficulty in keeping his head still.
It sounds as though your pig needs Ivomec to treat any mite problem with, possibly, an anti-fungal shampoo. "Normal" pigs will scratch themselves and pull their hair out if the irritation is severe, it does not lead to repetitive behaviour.

 

[gypsie]

hi guys thanks very much for you comments it so good to have your support, looking at it i think it may be the mange mite so hopefully it can be easily sorted out, will his brother have to be treated as well also what about my other GP they are in a cage next to ben and jerry will they need to be treated as well?
About Ben brain damage he walks funny he can some times flip over on his back when he is scratching himself, we also think he is blind and possible deaf as he doesnt weak with the others and is not scared of the vac and other loud noises, he does every thing with his mouth so he nibbles you but never bites life may not be easy for this lad but he has a good life with his brother
i will update you all tomorrow after the vets

 

[alcesterpigs]

Flipping over when scratching is very common if there is a problem with mites and/or a fungal condition.
Many, if not most, pigs are not bothered by the sound of a vacuum cleaner.

 

[Wiebke]

Better have them all treated! Ivermectin doesn't cost the world.

You might also wish to thoroughly disinfect their places.

 

[gypsie]

hi guys well i am back from the vets with little Ben well it turns out that he does have mange mites so we have got some spot on stuff for him and his brother. I will be scrubbing the cages later and giving them a good clean out and then treating them.
Poor Ben got him self in a state and it didnt help the vet was a bit heavy handed with him and then he bite her so she scruffed him this didnt help at all so i told her that he was very nervous and was better if she used the towel and wrap him up she did as i asked and he soon settled down for her to have a look at him, i had already explained that he was a bit special but i am not sure if she took that on board when she was holding him, i took him to this vet as i was told they treat a lot of GP and rabbits but after today i am not sure about them but never mind he is settled backed down and he will be having some extra cucumber as a treat tonight for being a brave boy

 

[katiep]

Aw the poor little poppet. Glad he is OK though.
Keep an eye out for any signs of his brother bullying him - I know they get on well but just as a precautionary note.. sometimes if a piggy senses that all is not right with their pal they can have a go at them. I'm not sure if this also happens with brothers but just in case..
(I'm not an expert at all, but we had a special piggy called Lucky, this happened to him.)