Ringworm after 3days of owning

[Sarahmulhe91]

Hi,

So we bought two male piggies just over a week ago, by day 3 I noticed one had a grey scaly bald patch on his face. I contacted pets at home as thats where we bought them. They told me to take them to the vets which I did. The vet said it looked like ringworm but they would have to take a sample to test for certain. The results will be back in two weeks. Pets at home have refunded the bet fees which is great but while we are waiting for the results the 'patches' are getting bigger by the day... I don't know why we can't just start the treatment now? Also they told us to handle the piggies regularly to get them used to human contact but obviously now we've been told not to handle them. Basically what I'm wondering is should we start our own at home treatment? How bad is this going to get are my children going to catch it? And why did they sell the piggie when they knew they had had an outbreak?! (The girl at the till when I went to get my money back confirmed they had been treating others) any info greatly appreciated I'm getting quite stressed not knowing what to do while i watch it get worse for him

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, sorry this has happened. Ringworm does seem to be an issue at many pet stores. I would ring the vet back and ask if they can prescribe some ringworm treatment and say that the patches are getting bigger by the day. make a note of all your correspondence so you can claim all expenses. Use gloves, an old apron if possible and thorough hand washing as ringworm can be caught by humans and other pets. pets at Home will be legally responsible for all vet charges so keep a note of all costs to you

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

So we bought two male piggies just over a week ago, by day 3 I noticed one had a grey scaly bald patch on his face. I contacted pets at home as thats where we bought them. They told me to take them to the vets which I did. The vet said it looked like ringworm but they would have to take a sample to test for certain. The results will be back in two weeks. Pets at home have refunded the bet fees which is great but while we are waiting for the results the 'patches' are getting bigger by the day... I don't know why we can't just start the treatment now? Also they told us to handle the piggies regularly to get them used to human contact but obviously now we've been told not to handle them. Basically what I'm wondering is should we start our own at home treatment? How bad is this going to get are my children going to catch it? And why did they sell the piggie when they knew they had had an outbreak?! (The girl at the till when I went to get my money back confirmed they had been treating others) any info greatly appreciated I'm getting quite stressed not knowing what to do while i watch it get worse for him

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your experience; ringworm is sadly not at all uncommon in pet shop piggies.

You may find the information in these two guide links here helpful.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (Includes information on your customer rights)

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures (Comprehensive and detailed care information)

The first guide has the general information on the most common problems and the second has got detailed hygiene tips as well as pictures of how an infection typically runs. We strongly recommend that you carefully read the guides and follow the tips to prevent further transmission, break the ringworm cycle and get on top of all ringworm spores that can lurk and cause a return. The guide also has a chapter on human hygiene tips.
In over a dozen years of existence we have just about found every possible way the fungal spores can be transmitted and how to be deal with each. Please order F10 disinfectant online; it is proven to also act on the invisibly tiny ringworm spores and will be your best investment ever!
If you can get your vet to prescribe oral itrafungol for treatment, that would be by far the best as having to bathe wiggly new guinea pigs every 3 days with a dip is rather stressful for both parties. You will have to give at least one bath at the end of the acute phase to make sure that no spores are left in the coats.
Here is our bathing guide to ensure that there are no accidents from freak jumps: Bathing (including cleaning grease glands)

Please use this thread as your ongoing support thread throughout the whole time. You are welcome to ask any questions and give updates in here but allow us to keep all information together and prevent us from giving confusing or conflicting recommendations.

it would also help us if you please added your county to location in your account details so it appears with every post you make. We are dealing with members and enquiries from all over the world. this will allow us to tailor any recommendations to what is relevant and available in the area you live in straight away. You access your account details by clicking on your username on the top bar. Thank you!

You may also find our new owners guide collection helpful as a resource. We specifically address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about from settling in and making friends with new piggies; understanding guinea pig behaviour; diet, housing and care; learning what is normal and what not; when and how soon to see a vet and what to do in an emergency as well as links to recommended vets and rescues: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Unlike books, this format allows to keep our guides constantly updated and to add to them.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I can't really build on the wonderful advice above but I will just say that there is an incubation period with ringworm which I believe is 14 days so they might not have displayed symptoms when you purchased them. Also ringworm spores can sit dormant and be brought on by stress such as moving home. Whilst each pets at home store is different I have found my local ones tend to be good for removing sick piggies and getting them treated.