• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

New Guinea Pig Owners Help

Status
Not open for further replies.
I

ian diamond

New Born Pup
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Points
25
Location
Sandbach cheshire
Hi my wife purchased a guinea pig 2 wks ago from pets at home and was told she was 12 wks old.
After reading/speaking to people we decided to get another female and when we took the original one to the breeder with us she noticed a skin problem on her eye and said it looks like it's drying up.
Well now 1 week after her face has got worse all her fur has come off and the New Guinea pigs nose looks like fur is coming off.

So I took both back to the vets at pets at home .who said its not a fungal infection could possibly be mights or skin problem and he gave me some xeno 50.
How long does it take for the skin to get better I will try to upload a photo.
Thanks for any help
Ian
 
Hi and welcome!

Please upload a picture. You can also help us a lot by adding your county to your details, as we are dealing with members from all over the world. click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-post-photos.112751/

Pet shop personnel and breeders are unfortunately generally not the best people to ask for health advice! With backyard breeders, mange mites and ringworm are far too often explained away (and left untreated) as "dry skin"; we see a few of thise cases on here. Please have both girls seen by a good vet to get a proper diagnosis and age appropriate treatment. We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar. Xeno 50 is specifically targeted at mange mites, it will work partially on fungal, but will not cure it.

Whatever you have been told, it sounds typical for ringworm, which is sadly a pretty common problem for a number of pets@home branches (you are sadly by far not the first p@h customer with this particular issue). As the problem has happened within two weeks of your buy, you should be able to get a refund for your vet cost from the shop. Please treat your piggies with care and very good hygiene unless you have a correct diagnosis, as ringworm is the single most infectious thing that guinea pigs can come down with.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

As this is a specific health problem, I am moving your thread to our health/illness section, which is specifically monitored by experienced members.
@helen105281 @Elwickcavies
 
Not sure if you can see the picture it looks slightly worse as the vet at pets at h said he had to take a bit of skin to test at the lab
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Please upload a picture. You can also help us a lot by adding your county to your details, as we are dealing with members from all over the world. click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-post-photos.112751/

Pet shop personnel and breeders are unfortunately generally not the best people to ask for health advice! With backyard breeders, mange mites and ringworm are far too often explained away (and left untreated) as "dry skin"; we see a few of thise cases on here. Please have both girls seen by a good vet to get a proper diagnosis and age appropriate treatment. We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar. Xeno 50 is specifically targeted at mange mites, it will work partially on fungal, but will not cure it.

Whatever you have been told, it sounds typical for ringworm, which is sadly a pretty common problem for a number of pets@home branches (you are sadly by far not the first p@h customer with this particular issue). As the problem has happened within two weeks of your buy, you should be able to get a refund for your vet cost from the shop. Please treat your piggies with care and very good hygiene unless you have a correct diagnosis, as ringworm is the single most infectious thing that guinea pigs can come down with.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

As this is a specific health problem, I am moving your thread to our health/illness section, which is specifically monitored by experienced members.
@helen105281 @Elwickcavies
Click to expand...

Please read my first post on this thread.
 
Guinea pigs are quite prone to skin conditions as our damp climate is not ideal for them. Was your piggy scratching/ biting itself more than usual before the hair loss and is the skin red and irritated? I appreciate observing what's normal may be difficult if you've only just got your piggy. Can you upload a picture?

Hatu was scratching and biting herself when she came to us at approximately the same age. The skin underneath the fur had raised red bumps though fortunately she did not lose fur but mites do cause fur lose, open sores and can lead to death if untreated. She was back to her normal self within a few weeks of treatment for mites.

Ivermectin treats mites and lice. The dose of Ivermectin needs to be worked out based on the weight of your guinea - the vet should advise of the correct dose but if not it's usually in the instructions. 2 to 3 doses of ivermectin (the active ingredient in xeno 50) each approximately 2 weeks apart usually clear up most mite infections but please follow your vets advice on this.

I understand that fungal infections usually start around the eyes/ears and can be accompanied by crusty eyes and hair loss, though i've never experienced a fungal infection in one of my pigs (so other members please feel free to correct me on this). If it is fungal you'll need a different anti fungal treatment such as miconazole. Please note fungal infections such as ringworm are also transmissable to humans.

It is possible to have both mites/lice and fungal infection at the same time.

You will need to treat the affected guinea pig and any cagemates as well. You will also need to disinfect everything the pig has come into contact with - cage, bowl, bottle etc and it's best to throw away any opened bedding to prevent reinfection.

Please also make sure that your pigs are eating and drinking adequate amounts, monitor it's weight and if they lose their appetite or weight, become lethargic or have breathing problems get to the vet ASAP and hand feed in the meantime.

Hope your piggy gets well soon x
 
I agree it is sounding like Ringworm but is difficult to tell from the photos. I would go to a different vet if the Pets at Home one is adamant it isn't fungal. The guide Wiebke has posted outlines the best method of treatment which is Imaverol dips and/or the oral medication Itrafungol. Hygiene is crucial and this is also explained in the guide.
 
I agree with the ringworm possibility and that it needs a good Guinea pig vet. The available treatments are very effective and once you've got a firm diagnosis it shouldn't be long before your piggies are back to full health.
 
It looks very much like fungal/ringworm. Please be aware that labs only test for ringworm, but not any other form of fungal. If you are not happy, you can always seek another vet.
We have listed the currently most effective products for fungal infections that can be safely used on guinea pigs of all ages in our hygiene guide, the link to which you have already been given. Please take it seriously! Ringworm can be transmitted to humans, too!

Here is more information on fungal:
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top