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Possible Ringworm?

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Malice

Malice

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I got out my two new piggies for cuddles in front of the TV this evening when I noticed a small bald patch above Posset's eye. I gave her an inspection (with some difficulty as she insisted on running up my neck and getting entangled in my hair) and I have a feeling that it might be ringworm. I was wondering what you thought? I appreciate that the picture isn't fantastic quality and the patch is quite small, but advice would be appreciated.

It could be, as there's still some minor dominance issues going on (Poglet always barges the small ones out the way and charges them if food or snuggle space is involved!) just a minor injury, but honestly I'm not convinced. If you could have a look and tell me what you think, that would be great, thank you!

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i can't see very clearly to be honest, but it does look to be a small patch of fungal. ringworm tends to look like little white heads and they increase fairly quickly (is it worse today?)

i'd pop along to the vets and have them take a look. they can send a skin scraping to the lab to confirm if needed and advise you on how to treat it for now :)
 
I agree she needs a vet for a diagnosis. Ringworm can be cultured by the vet (unlike other types of fungal). Treatment for Ringworm ideally needs to be with the oral medication Itrafungol (Itraconazole) and you can also use Imaverol (Enilconazole) as a dip if needed. It would be wise to dip any other pigs she is living with. The whole pig needs to be treated really not just the infected area which is why we recommend these and not a topical cream. Here is our Ringworm guide which covers the important hygiene information and the various stages of Ringworm.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
 
I've booked all four in for a vets appointment on Monday (earliest I could get). I've no idea what the vets here are like though. =/ I've gone through P@H's vets as that's where Posset came from (I know, I know, should never get store bought piggies, but there were no rescue sows locally and I just had a moment of weakness after seeing her. Sigh.) and I'm hoping they'll pay. They seem to be insinuating that she's probably caught it from Poglet and Syllabub though, even though they've never exhibited any symptoms.

Guess I should get to putting Posset in quarantine!
 
biscandmatt said:
i can't see very clearly to be honest, but it does look to be a small patch of fungal. ringworm tends to look like little white heads and they increase fairly quickly (is it worse today?)

i'd pop along to the vets and have them take a look. they can send a skin scraping to the lab to confirm if needed and advise you on how to treat it for now :)
Click to expand...

The bald patch seems to have white scaly skin, like dandruff. It doesn't particularly look any worse today, and I've checked the other three and can't see anything on them. I've booked them all in at the vets though, just in case.

helen105281 said:
I agree she needs a vet for a diagnosis. Ringworm can be cultured by the vet (unlike other types of fungal). Treatment for Ringworm ideally needs to be with the oral medication Itrafungol (Itraconazole) and you can also use Imaverol (Enilconazole) as a dip if needed. It would be wise to dip any other pigs she is living with. The whole pig needs to be treated really not just the infected area which is why we recommend these and not a topical cream. Here is our Ringworm guide which covers the important hygiene information and the various stages of Ringworm.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information! I'll definitely keep that in mind. I read through the thread you linked last night after creating this one. As much as a faff as this is (and extra expenses right on top of Christmas!) at least it's not life threatening.
 
I see it, it could be ringworm or some other form of parasite. Are there any small animal vets in your area? Possibly at an animal hospital? Not all vets know a lot about guinea pigs.
 
The patch does seem to be growing, but not a huge amount. We've bought some F10 to clean things with (although my boyfriend thought we washed the guinea pigs in it!)

There's a vet just behind our house that says it's for pets and small animals? Maybe I should check them out a bit more.
 
I'm not familiar with F10. Just make sure it's not exclusively for larger animals.
 
F10 was suggested on the thread Helen linked to, which is why we bought it. =)
 
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