• 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

Newbie With Sick Piggies.

Livia Rabideau

Livia Rabideau

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Messages
1,972
Reaction score
2,462
Points
905
Location
Kentucky, U.S.
Hello! I am new here! I recently purchased two male guinea pigs from a pet store, which I now know is a mistake. From the time I got them home the one was sneezing and had a large bald spot and infected scab on his front leg. (Didn't see the leg until 3 days after purchase). I called the pet store and they said put athletes foot cream on it. I did not and found a cavy savy vet. However, I will probably get a second opinion. The one was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, which seems to be gone now. His arm healed. Found a scab on the other piggies ear. Back to the vet we went. Still no desire to treat for mites or ringworm. He was put on antibiotics for sneezing and bacterial skin infection. His sneezing is gone and ear seems better, but now has a large bald spot above his eyes (no flakes). Also he has another scab on his back leg. Vet now wants to treat for mites. I asked if we could treat for both mites and fungal, but ye wants to start with the mite treatment first. Does this seem ok? Is there any harm in treating for both? I just want these poor guys to feel better! I feel like a bad momma!
 
This is not your fault, things like this happen.

Mites normally presents on the back. I would suspect more fungal above the eye. How is he wanting to treat for mites? Xeno450 - ivermectin drops on the back?
 
He gave me oral ivomec. He has brushed off my suggestion of ringworm 3 times. If this doesn't work I will push for ringworm treatment. I understand that if we treat for both at the same time, we won't know what it is. I will just have to be patient. Not my strong point when my babies are sick.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Hello! I am new here! I recently purchased two male guinea pigs from a pet store, which I now know is a mistake. From the time I got them home the one was sneezing and had a large bald spot and infected scab on his front leg. (Didn't see the leg until 3 days after purchase). I called the pet store and they said put athletes foot cream on it. I did not and found a cavy savy vet. However, I will probably get a second opinion. The one was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, which seems to be gone now. His arm healed. Found a scab on the other piggies ear. Back to the vet we went. Still no desire to treat for mites or ringworm. He was put on antibiotics for sneezing and bacterial skin infection. His sneezing is gone and ear seems better, but now has a large bald spot above his eyes (no flakes). Also he has another scab on his back leg. Vet now wants to treat for mites. I asked if we could treat for both mites and fungal, but ye wants to start with the mite treatment first. Does this seem ok? Is there any harm in treating for both? I just want these poor guys to feel better! I feel like a bad momma!
Click to expand...

Hi! Your first vet was right; what you are most likely dealing with is ringworm; mange mites don't affect the areas around the eyes and ears, but fungal typically does!

Please take the time to read these guides here. If your vet is not sure please opt for a combined treatment. Ivermectin for mites will suppress any fungal, but cannot cure it; it will come back again after the end of the course.
Ideally the fungal treatment is orally (active ingredient itraconazole) and not by topical treatment, so you do not have the pressure of having to wait for 48 hours after each skin application. Alternatively the ivermectin can be given by injection and the fungal treatment is with dips (just cream will not get rid of the many spores in the coat which can stay alive for up to 18 months).
Please be aware that ringwowm (which is very common in shop piggies) is highly infective and transmittable - including to humans and other pet species.

The best investment next to good quality treatment is a vet grade antifungal disinfectant. You can find brand names and hygiene tips in our ringworm guide. We have learned the tips in the guide the hard way; that is why they really work!
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
Guinea Lynx :: Parasites
http://www.guinealynx.com/fungus.html\
Gorgeous Guineas Identification
Gorgeous Guineas Photo gallery
 
So I shouldn't give the ivomec? I can get the fungal med online, but don't know how to dose it properly. Ugh!
 
Livia Rabideau said:
So I shouldn't give the ivomec? I can get the fungal med online, but don't know how to dose it properly. Ugh!
Click to expand...

Please still give the ivomec, but if you use both topical (i.e. on the skin treatments) you need to wait 48 hours between any application. You'd best make a detailed plan if that is the case.
Please have a careful read through all the guides and look at all the pictures. We are going oly by your description, so all we can do is give you links and our experience to help you assess the situation. Please be also aware that we are legally not qualified and allowed to replace a vet visit. All we can do is advise you and give you information that is helping you to get the best out of a general vet.
 
I am so scared to give this. They are so small. I have read that you shouldn't treat if they aren't a certain weight. Their weights are .53 and .75.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
I am so scared to give this. They are so small. I have read that you shouldn't treat if they aren't a certain weight. Their weights are .53 and .75.
Click to expand...
.53 what? Are you working in ounces? Grams? How old are the piggies. Do you have another vet you can go to?
 
Could you please give the weight in grams? Imperial and metrical pounds and ounces vary. At the moment, we have no idea what measurement you are using!
 
Thanks.

I would advise ringing round all vets you can realistically travel to asking them if anyone there has experience with Guinea pigs. That is how we found our vet.
 
So that is 400g and just below 300g. Not too small!

Have a look at the videos of all rescue born 508 babies from the NorCal700 intake the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue have had to bathe and treat (including the 410 mostly pregnant sows and nursing babies that they originally brought down from a massive hoarding case in Northern California) bcause they were all affected and/or exposed to ringworm...

@VickiA is currently treating her rescue foster mums and their nursing pups for mange mites, which the new mums have been affected with badly.
Search
 
I have read about overdosing them on ivomec. The amounts in the syringe look the same to me. There is only one other vet that sees sees guinea pigs. Think I will call for another opinion before giving the ivomec.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
I have read about overdosing them on ivomec. The amounts in the syringe look the same to me. There is only one other vet that sees sees guinea pigs. Think I will call for another opinion before giving the ivomec.
Click to expand...

here is how to calculate the correct dosage of ivermectin for the weight. If in doubt, please ask he vet clinic to do it for you. I agree that advice on whether ivermectin is damaging in young piggies, especially embryos, is currently very conflicting.
Guinea Lynx :: Ivermectin Treatment Guidelines
 
I think I would visit another vet. This one seems as though they are working through a check list, if it's not this, it should be that. If you have an original receipt for your babies, the shop should be paying the vet bills, do not surrender them to the pet shop, though.
Your not a bad mum, more a bad pet shop. I hope everything goes well for you from here on in.
When you get those piggies well, it would be great to see a photo of them.
 
Thank you! The pet shop did refund one of the bills. I just want them better. They definitely will be staying with me sick or not while everything gets sorted out.
 
Please do not panic and do not feel like a bad mom! You have been let down by pet store selling infected piggies and by most general US vets not having much experience with guinea pigs.Exotics vets are sadly far and few in between in many states.

You will get there! Please take deep breath. Take the time to read through everything and digest it. Then make a list of what you need to do (including disinfectant and disposable gloves), what you need to ask a vet. check for other vets within your reach.

Alternatively, contact this good standard guinea pig rescue in your state to ask them for advice on how they treat their young guinea pigs for ringworm and mange mites; they are your closest local place with plenty of practical experience in treating young guinea pigs: Knoxville Guinea Pig Rescue

Your youngsters are old enough for both ringworm and mites treatment. If there is a risk that you are dealing with ringworm, you still need to apply good hygiene to get rid of all the spores and infect yourself or carry any spores further.
 
Oh my gosh! The only other guinea pig vet nearby will cost 86 dollars per pet plus a 25 dollar non refundable fee. Ugh.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Oh my gosh! The only other guinea pig vet nearby will cost 86 dollars per pet plus a 25 dollar non refundable fee. Ugh.
Click to expand...

Try and see whether Knoxville Guinea Pig Rescue can help you with their advice and practical experience. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tim
I ordered F10 disinfectant. I also found an antifungal shampoo with the same ingredients as ketochlor. I may get that too. The active ingredients are ketoconazole 1 percent and chlohexidine 2 percent. I am a bit nervous to give them a bath though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top