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Ring Worm or wound?

S

Sgboyd

Junior Guinea Pig
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Picture number one is Seraphina. She is about 4 months old maybe? I noticed this today after I woke up. They are in my room so I would have woken up if they were in a fight I think. I initially thought barbering gone awry. I did just have to clip a few small mats off her bits. I was waiting until I could determine how it was going to grow before cutting it since it seems to change daily.

Anyhow, here is her back side. It is on her rump.
20210117_160426.webp

Although it looks more like a wound my cat (black fur) just developed a bald spot between his shoulder blades. Now I'm thinking it's fungal and everyone is going to catch it. 4 piggies and a cat...2 of which just went to the ER so the vet fund is rather depleted. Here is my cat's pic.
20210104_234003.webp

I have an appointment scheduled Tuesday for Eir to get xrays to see if she is pregnant, but I was leaning toward rescheduling for a later date anyway as Idont think she would be far enough along to see them if she is. I'm calling in the morning to try and get at least one of them in to assess.

In the meantime, is there a safe antifungal I can use on them until I get them to the vet? I am in the US if that matters.
 
We don’t recommend home treatment so won’t be able to recommend an anti fungal for you to use. You don’t want to treat for something you’re not sure of or use over the counter meds which are usually not the correct strength. It’s better for them to be checked out by the vet.

Is the scratch somewhere she can reach?
 
I think it's at a spot where she can reach. It's at that curve where her back turns into her bum. The cat, however, cannot reach his bald spot. So much for introductions this week. I dont want the new girls to get this, but the cage is almost done.
 
:agr: Definitely don’t use any type of topical or oral treatment until you have seen a vet.
If you are suspicious of something fungal, please thoroughly wash all bedding and cages (F10 disinfectant is great). Wash hands after handling to minimise spread.
I’m just finishing ringworm treatment for one of mine (the other piggies didn’t catch it, but I did - mildly). I’ve been very strict with hygiene and everything was washed thoroughly. No harm in being careful, even if it turns out not to be ringworm.

hope you can get to a vet for answers soon.
 
Cage definitely needs a scrub down. I've been dealing with extreme fatigue and aches so I've been a little lax. Turns out I have critically low B12 and sneed injections. Going to have to push hard and just scrub everything tonight.
 
Sgboyd said:
Cage definitely needs a scrub down. I've been dealing with extreme fatigue and aches so I've been a little lax. Turns out I have critically low B12 and sneed injections. Going to have to push hard and just scrub everything tonight.
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Sorry to hear that. Hope you and your lovely guys all feel better soon. Sending healing vibes! 🥰
 
I was able to reschedule Eir's appointment and put Seraphina in instead. They cant get Max (my cat) in though. I took pics of his spot though.

Seraphina is really irritated by her spot though. She has been hewing at her bum all day today. Appointment in the morning.
 
Just got home. Vet doesn't think ringworm, which is odd. He suspects mites though he couldnt see amy. He gave her a round of revolution and I am to put dermaclens on the wound daily. To keep her from licking it off I was told to put her in a sock for a few hours until it absorbs.

If you gotta wear a sock it might as well be a thematically appropriate sock. She is scowling at me like "OMG mommmmm, you made me look like a dork."20210119_111526.webp20210119_111647.webp
 
Sgboyd said:
Just got home. Vet doesn't think ringworm, which is odd. He suspects mites though he couldnt see amy. He gave her a round of revolution and I am to put dermaclens on the wound daily. To keep her from licking it off I was told to put her in a sock for a few hours until it absorbs.

If you gotta wear a sock it might as well be a thematically appropriate sock. She is scowling at me like "OMG mommmmm, you made me look like a dork."View attachment 164765View attachment 164766
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You won't see mites because they are too small. There are two guinea pig specific varieties: potentially fatal mange mites, which burrow their eggs in the increasingly inflamed and sore skin (hence the self-inflicted gnawing into the skin) and the much less harmful hay mites, which fix their egg cases to hairs in the underlayer at the bum end initially. Your vet is obviously treating for mange mites.
Pale crawling lice are the only guinea pig specific skin parasite that is visible; but they are pretty rare in well kept indoors piggies.

More information on guinea pig specific parasites: New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites

PS: Ivermectin can temporarily suppress ringworm but it cannot heal it. It is however crucial for the treatment of any skin parasites, especially mange mites.
 
That's what Inthought and now I'm convinced she DOES have ring worm..Her natural bald spot has gotten a little larger, and there is a ring of scaly red skin where the hairline starts.

My vet fund is officially depleted after taking the new girls to the emergency vet, and now this, and my cat has a bald spot and needs his vaccines and I am upset that he didnt even mention ringworm as a possibility.

I feel.like with covid vets are getting away charging for nonsense because we are no longer allowed in the vet office with our pets anymore.
 
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