Recently rescued pig has scabbing

[Dom R]

Hi all,

So recently (Around 2 weeks ago) I rescued a little piggy from a nearby rescue, and I've had a few issues with him already (Diarrhea, which is sorted), an eye problem, which I have been given eye drops for. And finally, he has a scab located near the back end of his body (Picture Below - Its wet because I cleaned the wound with homemade saline solution, and also helped to part the fur so I could snap this picture of it (In person, it is fully dried, not bleeding and is fully scabbed).


He came with spot on treatment for mites, and when I went to the vets the other day, she said to just put Isathal on it, which is the eyedrops I got given. Personally, I think that that advice is wrong, because it looks a bit more than needing to put just that on it. I'm just wondering on what it could possibly be, and also if there are any good vets for guinea pigs around Sheffield/Rotherham, as the vet I used to go to is currently opening her own guinea pig clinic, and is not working at the vets anymore.

Edit: I do use old bedsheets for bedding, could that possibly be irritating his skin or something? This has developed over the last few days, and it does feel like its a bit under the skin, sort of like, a little lump sort of thing. I read somewhere that if I gently touch the wound, and he reacts by trying to groom/scratch it, then its definitely mites, but he doesn't do that.

I wash their bedding on a 60 degree wash over 2~ hours, using persil non-bio washing powder. Could this be irritating their skin too, even though it is non-bio? Is there any definite pet-safe ones out there for washing bedding like this?

 

[Claire W]

I would definitely get a second opinion as it could be mites, fungal or a wound from another piggy in which he may benefit with a course of antibiotics to prevent infection.

@pig in the city lives in Sheffield and uses an excellent guinea pig savvy vet. I'm
Sure she won’t mind sharing when she sees this.

Please don’t use any shop brought products as you could make the situation worse and in the meantime, continue using the saline solution on the scabby area

 

[Dom R]

I would definitely get a second opinion as it could be mites, fungal or a wound from another piggy in which he may benefit with a course of antibiotics to prevent infection.

@pig in the city lives in Sheffield and uses an excellent guinea pig savvy vet. I'm
Sure she won’t mind sharing when she sees this.

Please don’t use any shop brought products as you could make the situation worse and in the meantime, continue using the saline solution on the scabby area

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought a second opinion would be best. Time to persuade my parents to do the same. I'm not going to put any of the eye drops on it, or use any spot on treatment on him either.

I feel really bad for him, he's about 2 months old and he's already having all this happen to him, it'll be worth it in the end though. In the 2 weeks I've had him, he's had to be syringe fed a bit, have Baytril, now the eye drops from the vets. Bless him

 

[Claire W]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought a second opinion would be best. Time to persuade my parents to do the same. I'm not going to put any of the eye drops on it, or use any spot on treatment on him either.

I feel really bad for him, he's about 2 months old and he's already having all this happen to him, it'll be worth it in the end though. In the 2 weeks I've had him, he's had to be syringe fed a bit, have Baytril, now the eye drops from the vets. Bless him

Poor boy but it sounds like he’s in safe hands now x

 

[YvonneBlue]

Poor little boy. Hope he is ok, I can't offer any advice regarding a good vet but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can. Sending healing vibes.
You are doing a great job of looking after him.
What is your piggy's name?

 

[Dom R]

Poor little boy. Hope he is ok, I can't offer any advice regarding a good vet but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can. Sending healing vibes.
You are doing a great job of looking after him.
What is your piggy's name?

He's called Coconut, and I'm hoping its soon, as I'd rather get him in the vets and actually get something to treat him as soon as possible, instead of it possibly causing him distress and what not. And I like to think I take good care of my boys, especially with how much they mean to me, even though to some people they're just 'guinea pigs'.

The good thing is, he's still growing and gaining weight, which can mean its nothing serious. I'm just going to weigh him again today just to make sure. Now that I think of it, he is scratching quite a lot, nibbling at his feet and things. So it could mean a round of Ivermectin injections, if babies are allowed that.

Just another question for anyone who's informed in mites and things. I know they can be passed on to other piggies, but Coconut's cagemate has recently had the injections too, due to him scratching a lot (It hasn't really done anything, as the pig-savvy vet pretty much said there was nothing wrong with them). Do the injections last a while, or is it just a quick treatment for any possible mites they have at the time, and it wears off quickly?

 

[YvonneBlue]

Great name for your piggy.
I know that Cavy Corner (a really good rescue) are in Doncaster, maybe you could call them and see if they can recommend a vet close to you. They have a website and Facebook page.
Hope you can get him some help soon.

 

[Dom R]

Great name for your piggy.
I know that Cavy Corner (a really good rescue) are in Doncaster, maybe you could call them and see if they can recommend a vet close to you. They have a website and Facebook page.
Hope you can get him some help soon.

I might have to do that if I don't get any other suggestions, I adopted my recently passed piggy, Rodney from there, and her piggies are spoiled when they get the chance to be.

 

[pig in the city]

Hi all,

So recently (Around 2 weeks ago) I rescued a little piggy from a nearby rescue, and I've had a few issues with him already (Diarrhea, which is sorted), an eye problem, which I have been given eye drops for. And finally, he has a scab located near the back end of his body (Picture Below - Its wet because I cleaned the wound with homemade saline solution, and also helped to part the fur so I could snap this picture of it (In person, it is fully dried, not bleeding and is fully scabbed).
View attachment 96466

He came with spot on treatment for mites, and when I went to the vets the other day, she said to just put Isathal on it, which is the eyedrops I got given. Personally, I think that that advice is wrong, because it looks a bit more than needing to put just that on it. I'm just wondering on what it could possibly be, and also if there are any good vets for guinea pigs around Sheffield/Rotherham, as the vet I used to go to is currently opening her own guinea pig clinic, and is not working at the vets anymore.

Edit: I do use old bedsheets for bedding, could that possibly be irritating his skin or something? This has developed over the last few days, and it does feel like its a bit under the skin, sort of like, a little lump sort of thing. I read somewhere that if I gently touch the wound, and he reacts by trying to groom/scratch it, then its definitely mites, but he doesn't do that.

I wash their bedding on a 60 degree wash over 2~ hours, using persil non-bio washing powder. Could this be irritating their skin too, even though it is non-bio? Is there any definite pet-safe ones out there for washing bedding like this?

I would think this is probably mange mite which burrows in the skin and needs injections to treat it. The injections usually work very quickly but you need to complete the course of treatment (usually 3 injections a couple of weeks apart) to kill any eggs that have hatched. I don't think there is any long term protection and if symptoms have recurred then another course may be needed.

You mentioned about your vet is it Ellie at Alfreton park veterinary hospital that you see? She is currently setting up a guinea pig clinic in Matlock but is at Alfreton until 26th October. She works Monday Tuesday and Friday.
Hope that helps

 

[Dom R]

I would think this is probably mange mite which burrows in the skin and needs injections to treat it. The injections usually work very quickly but you need to complete the course of treatment (usually 3 injections a couple of weeks apart) to kill any eggs that have hatched. I don't think there is any long term protection and if symptoms have recurred then another course may be needed.

You mentioned about your vet is it Ellie at Alfreton park veterinary hospital that you see? She is currently setting up a guinea pig clinic in Matlock but is at Alfreton until 26th October. She works Monday Tuesday and Friday.
Hope that helps

I'll get him booked in as soon as possible. Can pigs get both types of mange mite like in dogs (Demodectic and Sarcoptic).

And when I last went to see her she said she was leaving the Friday I was there (I might have remembered it incorrectly, as I had to have Rodney PTS out of the blue), I'll have to get booked in with her since she's a fantastic vet, its a bit of a drive, but its definitely worth it. I believe it is Ellie, I just forgot her name. I'll get him booked in for Friday evening, and just keep an eye on him until then, to make sure he doesn't go downhill.

Would it be worth getting his cagemate, Peanut, another round of treatment, or should I wait and see what Ellie suggests? He hasn't got any scabbing or anything on him, so I wouldn't say he has it, but he had the last injection around 3 weeks ago.

I really appreciate the help, and I'm glad you mentioned that Ellie is still there, that's definitely going out to help a lot.

 

[pig in the city]

I'll get him booked in as soon as possible. Can pigs get both types of mange mite like in dogs (Demodectic and Sarcoptic).

And when I last went to see her she said she was leaving the Friday I was there (I might have remembered it incorrectly, as I had to have Rodney PTS out of the blue), I'll have to get booked in with her since she's a fantastic vet, its a bit of a drive, but its definitely worth it. I believe it is Ellie, I just forgot her name. I'll get him booked in for Friday evening, and just keep an eye on him until then, to make sure he doesn't go downhill.

Would it be worth getting his cagemate, Peanut, another round of treatment, or should I wait and see what Ellie suggests? He hasn't got any scabbing or anything on him, so I wouldn't say he has it, but he had the last injection around 3 weeks ago.

I really appreciate the help, and I'm glad you mentioned that Ellie is still there, that's definitely going out to help a lot.

I don't know about which types of mite piggies get or if they are the same as dogs get. Sorry.
I would definitely get your other piggy checked at the same time.
Ellie is great, l am seeing her with one of my lot on Friday morning!
Are you in Sheffield? I am always going to see Ellie so if you need a pet taxi l am happy to help.
P.s. sorry about Rodney x

 

[Dom R]

I don't know about which types of mite piggies get or if they are the same as dogs get. Sorry.
I would definitely get your other piggy checked at the same time.
Ellie is great, l am seeing her with one of my lot on Friday morning!
Are you in Sheffield? I am always going to see Ellie so if you need a pet taxi l am happy to help.
P.s. sorry about Rodney x

I live in Rotherham, so it's just a 30 minute drive (ish) down the M1 so it's not too bad. I can drive but my dad normally takes me, since I'm currently unemployed and in full time education doing an Animal Management course, so I do know a good amount. I really appreciate the offer though. I'm going to get Peanut (his cagemate) and Coconut booked in probably Friday evening, and I'll have to leave college a little early and what not, but they'll understand.

I'm just going to keep rinsing it with my homemade saline solution over the next couple of days to keep it cleaner and possibly help/deter any infections starting.

 

[Seven7]

Sorry this is happening to a little baby piggy.
I am not an expert but I think wet bedding from his own pee could be bad for him.

I have fleece bedding for my Finn and Lara and after I wash them, I soak the fleece beddings in vinegar to kill all the bacteria. I don't want unhealthy piggies so I try to keep everything clean.

 

[Dom R]

I'd just like to update, I went and saw Ellie today and she's given me a couple of things for Coco, as well as sharing one with Peanut, since he has a snotty nose.

So firstly she told me to keep giving him the eye drops I got, as his eyes were inflamed, so she also gave me Metacam, which is for both of them. She also gave me Surolan, as she suspects that he has a fungal infection (Which is what this thread is about), and not mites; as he is young so mites would cause a lot more scabbing than what was already there.

I also have information of when she's starting her new guinea pig clinic, as well as contact details/website details. Which I believe I can share if requested.

 

[Claire W]

I'd just like to update, I went and saw Ellie today and she's given me a couple of things for Coco, as well as sharing one with Peanut, since he has a snotty nose.

So firstly she told me to keep giving him the eye drops I got, as his eyes were inflamed, so she also gave me Metacam, which is for both of them. She also gave me Surolan, as she suspects that he has a fungal infection (Which is what this thread is about), and not mites; as he is young so mites would cause a lot more scabbing than what was already there.

I also have information of when she's starting her new guinea pig clinic, as well as contact details/website details. Which I believe I can share if requested.

I'm glad that you manage to have them seen and have the appropriate treatment

 

[YvonneBlue]

I'd just like to update, I went and saw Ellie today and she's given me a couple of things for Coco, as well as sharing one with Peanut, since he has a snotty nose.

So firstly she told me to keep giving him the eye drops I got, as his eyes were inflamed, so she also gave me Metacam, which is for both of them. She also gave me Surolan, as she suspects that he has a fungal infection (Which is what this thread is about), and not mites; as he is young so mites would cause a lot more scabbing than what was already there.

I also have information of when she's starting her new guinea pig clinic, as well as contact details/website details. Which I believe I can share if requested.

Can you share the information regarding the new clinic here on the public forum or do we need to message you?

Great news that your piggies are getting the treatment they need. I'm sure they will now quickly improve. Get well soon little ones.

 

[Dom R]

Can you share the information regarding the new clinic here on the public forum or do we need to message you?

Great news that your piggies are getting the treatment they need. I'm sure they will now quickly improve. Get well soon little ones.

I can share it on here, so everyone can see it.

Ellie isn't moving/starting at her new clinic until the 5th of November, and she's still working on her website: http://theguineapigvet.co.uk
She also has an email address, which is [email protected]

And she will be moving to Derwent Valley Vets in Matlock.

I'm hoping that sharing this information isn't against any forum rules, and I apologise if they are

 

[VickiA]

I can share it on here, so everyone can see it.

Ellie isn't moving/starting at her new clinic until the 5th of November, and she's still working on her website: http://theguineapigvet.co.uk
She also has an email address, which is [email protected]

And she will be moving to Derwent Valley Vets in Matlock.

I'm hoping that sharing this information isn't against any forum rules, and I apologise if they are

It isn’t!
Thank you for sharing.
@sport_billy pls can you update the vet locator.

 

[sport_billy]

It isn’t!
Thank you for sharing.
@sport_billy pls can you update the vet locator.

Will do this later buddy for sure x

 

[Dom R]

It isn’t!
Thank you for sharing.
@sport_billy pls can you update the vet locator.

I'm glad I could share it, I'm sure it'll be come into use for some people nearby.

 

[pig in the city]

Will do this later buddy for sure x

Thanks Lee. I was going to let you know when the clinic is up and running. Ellie was at my home today photographing piggies for the website (scrapper included!)
It is very exciting. I will do a dedicated thread about the clinic when every thing is in place

 

[Dom R]

Just thought I'd do an update after a couple of days.

Coconut's eyes are both looking a lot better, although there's still a little gunk around them (I think it's the eye drops drying), but they're much clearer and less inflamed. His fungal infection has definitely cleared up quickly, there's only two little spots of scabbing left, and there's nice, healthy pink skin around them, soon there'll be his missing fur growing back.

I'm in quite the predicament with Peanut though, I believe his snotty nose is clearing up, slowly but surely - He still has moments where he's a little crackly/snotty, but I help him clear it up by letting him smell some vaporub. But he's lost a bit more weight, but he's willingly eating. I've given him some mushed up pellets and he seems to absolutely love it like that. He's even quite special when it comes to giving him his Metacam, he willingly puts the syringe in his mouth and nibbles it. Its quite lucky he does that, as he hates anybody touching his head, and isn't afraid to snap.

I'm going to keep an eye out on his weight (He has been losing weight for the past couple of months, but they aren't major drops) I also have suspicions that it could be the hay he has currently. As it is much greener/grassier than the previous bags, where it was more dried and crunchy. So tomorrow I'm going to go out and buy two things - Another bag of the hay they all get, which is the Greenwood Essentials Meadow Hay, and probably get some Timothy hay, just so he has some higher quality and tastier hay to much on. I'm not entirely worried about him, as he's displaying no signs of pain, and to me, has no abnormal masses or injuries that could be stopping him. He's still pooping and urinating as he did before.

I'm guessing its a possibility that his snotty nose could be making him eat less, but when offered veggies and things he doesn't think twice, same with the pellets. He's a bit unsure about the hay though, so definitely going to do what I said above tomorrow.

Edit: I'd just like to add that the weight loss is about 20g/week, so it's nothing exceptionally major. But he currently weighs around 1070g, and on the vet system he's 1200g - Which is a major difference, but can also just be a natural weight fluctuation - which has happened before.