Ongoing Skin Problem

[Bella123]

I have an ongoing problem with Flash, to which I have already seen two vets for one being less experienced than the other.

Overall they told me that Flash skin is fine, but I am not certain about this, to which I may go and see an exotic specialist about.

All has seem well his crusts haven’t come back, the dandruff he had completely dissapeared, and his itching reduced dramatically but still more then fifi, who itches occasionaly.

When he does itch which isn’t that often it does look like he seems quite irritated, but this only happens a couple of times a day. He can freak out a little when I stroke him, he’ll jump a little, but settles down eventually to which I am able to stoke him a long time without jumping. He was a lot worse before his treatments for example, he would bite himself if I tried to stroke certain areas.

I have treated him with xeno 450, gorgeous guineas manuka and neem and nizoral shampoo for fungal.

Three treatments of the xeno was given every 14 days.

I used the GG shampoo first, but I thought something stronger would help in which case used the nizoural for the remaining 3 weeks.

Whilst treating flash I also treated Fifi witn both shampoo and xeno.

Fifi has never really had any skin problems like Flash.

The shampoo was given once weekly about 6 days after the xeno 450 for 4 week period.

I would leave it on for a total of 15 minutes.

Here are some photos, one of them shows his hair loss that he has had, and the other shows the dandruff which has returned.

If you can shed some more light into this would be great,

Thanks

 

[DM030819]

@Bella123 I can only recommend going to the exotics vet if you aren't happy as I can't see anything wrong in those photos.

Is Flash an Abyssinian breed piggy? If so then they are naturally more bouncy and jumpy when stroked as they don't always like their hair ruffling the wrong way.

It's also a lot easier to see parts of their skin because of the direction change in their hair. My experience of pig skin and hair is that it's never 100% clean and clear. They often have bits lurking in there from loosening skin when scratching themselves but bits being caught in them from the hay.

Does he scratch or bite himself a lot? The photos show a healthy colour skin, it would look red or pinker if he was itching.

My boys don't like certain areas being touched and if I purposely ruffle some hair near to their bottom they will turn and nibble themselves or me. It's nothing to do with their skin they just don't like it. Like if you try to tickle my feet! Haha.

 

[Bella123]

@Bella123 I can only recommend going to the exotics vet if you aren't happy as I can't see anything wrong in those photos.

Is Flash an Abyssinian breed piggy? If so then they are naturally more bouncy and jumpy when stroked as they don't always like their hair ruffling the wrong way.

It's also a lot easier to see parts of their skin because of the direction change in their hair. My experience of pig skin and hair is that it's never 100% clean and clear. They often have bits lurking in there from loosening skin when scratching themselves but bits being caught in them from the hay.

Does he scratch or bite himself a lot? The photos show a healthy colour skin, it would look red or pinker if he was itching.

My boys don't like certain areas being touched and if I purposely ruffle some hair near to their bottom they will turn and nibble themselves or me. It's nothing to do with their skin they just don't like it. Like if you try to tickle my feet! Haha.

Thanks, as Flash is one of the first piggys I've owned I'm not sure what is normal regarding the skin. But as you said they scratch, things get left in the fur, and you can see this, so I guess it's nothing to worry about. His hair loss might need time to recover also.

 

[gizzy]

Scin looks Ok but the hair looks a bit chewed? Wouldn't bother with bathing, personaly I would use one of the anti parasite drops widely avalabale in case there are mits,
I would also get some te tree cream! Rub it on your fingers then rub your fingers on his hair! They hate the smell and taste of tee tree

 

[DM030819]

@Bella123 It's always best to check. We're all learning new things about piggies so don't hesitate to ask questions anytime

I agree with giving him a little time to recover. They're quite delicate critters so his skin might just need a bit of time. But the hair does looks in good condition in the second photo.

You can also use the time to monitor him. You'll be able to see if he's starting to scratch again or doing it more often.

The bald bit in the second photo might stay bald as it looks like it's in the middle of a rosette, and you can usually see the skin in the middle of those.

 

[DM030819]

Here's a photo of Jon Snow that shows his crest, so you can see the bald bit where their hair changes direction.

 

[Bella123]

@Bella123 It's always best to check. We're all learning new things about piggies so don't hesitate to ask questions anytime

I agree with giving him a little time to recover. They're quite delicate critters so his skin might just need a bit of time. But the hair does looks in good condition in the second photo.

You can also use the time to monitor him. You'll be able to see if he's starting to scratch again or doing it more often.

The bald bit in the second photo might stay bald as it looks like it's in the middle of a rosette, and you can usually see the skin in the middle of those.

Scin looks Ok but the hair looks a bit chewed? Wouldn't bother with bathing, personaly I would use one of the anti parasite drops widely avalabale in case there are mits,
I would also get some te tree cream! Rub it on your fingers then rub your fingers on his hair! They hate the smell and taste of tee tree

Thanks both of you very helpful, lovely picture of Jon snow he looks very at peace with himself