Ringworm - Have You Caught It From Your Piggie?

[Linden]

Hi

I've just started treating my guinea pig and rabbit for suspected ringworm (awaiting culture results from hair samples, but in the meantime treating with Imaveril baths and implementing strict hygiene regime). Looks like the rabbit was the carrier (recently purchased from Pets at Home - I know they don't have the best reputation but our local store [Dumfries] has always been very good and they are covering the cost of all our vet bills in treating this). So far no sign of it on our piggie but he's being treated as a precautionary measure (they are in separate but adjoining runs so there has been some nose rubbing!)

Thank you to everyone who has posted about their treatment/disinfection plans and past experience, but I am interested in just how many people have subsequently caught ringworm from their guinea pig, or other pets. My husband is less than pleased (he's not a piggie-person ... no, I can't understand it either !) and if it transfers to any of us I can see us needing a divorce lawyer as well as a vet!

Obviously I'm now implementing strict hygiene but we were happily playing with our rabbit (lots of snuggles on the couch and scampering about in our carpeted hall) before we realised what was wrong. Just wondering how likely our family are to catch it?

 

[Wiebke]

I think I may have caught it once by unthinkingly rubbing my neck while treating, but on the subsequent two occasions I haven't, so I don't think that my record is too bad. I used daktarin gold cream straight away (having it handy for treating my affected piggies a few years ago before we implemented our latest recommendations), so it thankfully didn't get very bad. But the painful itch wasn't nice at all.

I would recommend that you change any clothing and fabrics potentially in direct or indirect contact with ringworm frequently (in my case that extended to the bedding, too!) to prevent any accidental transmission. That is the area you are most likely to be caught out.

Ringworm in the house is not fun, unfortunately. Best of luck!

 

[jenniferanneharris]

i was lucky and when one of my girls had ringworm ....the other piggie didn't catch it luckily and neither did i. A strict hygine regime and being fairly healthy helps alot think.

 

[helen105281]

I haven't been through ringworm yet luckily. I have known a fair amount of people that have caught it though.

Can I just check that with the Imaverol you are dippping and leaving it on and not washing it off?

 

[katanamoon]

Urg - SO itchy! I managed to successfully treat the pigs a lot sooner than I could get rid of it myself but with an awful lot of hand/arm scrubbing and rubber gloves we all got there eventually! I think I read somewhere that the incubation period from exposure to spores, to full-on symptoms, is between 4-7 days. The best you can do is disinfect like crazy and wash any fabrics at 60 degrees. Fingers crossed!

 

[jenny57]

My daughter and her fiance both caught ringworm from one of the guineas they bought at P@H. P@H paid for the treatment for the piggy but it was very uncomfortable for the humans.

 

[katanamoon]

My daughter and her fiance both caught ringworm from one of the guineas they bought at P@H. P@H paid for the treatment for the piggy but it was very uncomfortable for the humans.

I had days where I could have happily pulled my arm off to stop it itching - I dread to think what the poor piggies felt like! I think I had it pretty badly though, mine swelled and blistered, it was pretty grim

 

[jenny57]

I had days where I could have happily pulled my arm off to stop it itching - I dread to think what the poor piggies felt like! I think I had it pretty badly though, mine swelled and blistered, it was pretty grim

My daughter was lucky she only has a patch under her chin which with medication cleared up, unfortunately at the time she was at college studying catering when the tutor found out she was put in quarantine, not allowed in the kitchen and was very embarrassed by it all.

 

[Linden]

I haven't been through ringworm yet luckily. I have known a fair amount of people that have caught it though.

Can I just check that with the Imaverol you are dippping and leaving it on and not washing it off?

Yes, I'm leaving it on both piggie and rabbit. Vet has prescribed 4 baths at 3 day intervals. Rabbit is already looking much better after first bath - all scabs and redness have gone, just bald but healthy looking skin left. Will definitely complete course of treatment though.

 

[Linden]

Urg - SO itchy! I managed to successfully treat the pigs a lot sooner than I could get rid of it myself but with an awful lot of hand/arm scrubbing and rubber gloves we all got there eventually! I think I read somewhere that the incubation period from exposure to spores, to full-on symptoms, is between 4-7 days. The best you can do is disinfect like crazy and wash any fabrics at 60 degrees. Fingers crossed!

Now in full bio-hazard mode! Have ordered F10 disinfectant and spraying everything that doesn't move (anything that moves gets doused with Imaverol). No one showing symptoms yet but now paranoid about even the most innocent itch.

 

[helen105281]

Both Imaverol and F10 are very effective.

 

[biscandmatt]

when ches had ringworm, i caught it because i have eczema and that makes it more likely apparently.. my o/h didn't get it and neither did maisie luckily, and she lived with ches.

just throw away any wooden items in the cage.

 

[Linden]

Looks like the cat has it now! A very suspect patch has appeared on ear. Unfortunately took cat to vet in the same carrier as the rabbit had used before we realised what it was. Dr Google seems to suggest cats need oral treatment, but have swabbed area with Imaverol anyway. Will take to vet tomorrow ... in a cardboard box!

Cat lives in house and sleeps on my son's bed. Nightmare!

 

[helen105281]

The vet will most likely give Itrafungol for the cat, your pig could have it too but am unsure about the rabbit. It is expensive but can be bought cheaper online with a prescription, however it is best to treat straight away if you can.

I know you are using F10 discinfectant but if you don't already have it I would get the handgel and handwash too.

Have you seen our ringworm guide? Don't want to link to it if you have already read it.

 

[Linden]

The vet will most likely give Itrafungol for the cat, your pig could have it too but am unsure about the rabbit. It is expensive but can be bought cheaper online with a prescription, however it is best to treat straight away if you can.

I know you are using F10 discinfectant but if you don't already have it I would get the handgel and handwash too.

Have you seen our ringworm guide? Don't want to link to it if you have already read it.

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the ringworm guide. Found it really useful.

 

[Freela]

I've never dealt with pigs with ringworm so far (knock on wood!) but my son managed to run around the house with a patch on his forehead before we figured out what it was and managed not to infect anyone else in spite of sharing facecloths/towels with his sister. I would practice really good handwashing and wash anything you can (bedding, clothing, etc.) in hot water and hope for the best!

My husband is also not a piggie person (not an animal person at all, really)- it's so puzzling to me!