Ringworm?

[Becca x]

I previously posted about my guinea pig who developed a crusty inner ear. The veterinary nurse gave me some mylozone or something spray to apply generally (plus a squirt in the ear) twice a day. It's been 8 days now and although the actual ear is looking better, it seems to have spread to where an earlobe would be. And the skin under the fur around her cheek/under her ear is bright red. I can't get an appointment until Monday so was going to see how it looks over the weekend.

But does anybody have any suggestions to treat the red bit better until then? My boyfriend suggested it could be red because that's where the concentrated dose of the spray has been. I'm on top of disinfectant for the hutch thanks to some members' advice, so it's now just treatment. Her sister is showing no signs whatsoever and the spray hasn't irritated her skin from the look of it.

Would be very grateful for any advice/reassurance - I've never had any health problems with my previous guinea pigs and it's distressing me that I can't seem to help her (although she actually seems quite happy! She's more annoyed by the regular spraying).

 

[helen105281]

It may be Miconazole? I usually recommend Imaverol dips (sold on Hyperdrug as Enilconazole) for Ringworm and if possible the oral medication Itrafungol but you would need to get that from the vets. The Imaverol can be used topically too or as a dip which is not rinsed off. It would not arrive before Monday though.

Ringworm does get worse before it gets better though, have you seen our guide? not sure if it was on your other thread.

 

[Becca x]

Yeah that's the one, I looked for Imaverol but couldn't find it, will try looking for the other name.

I've seen the hygiene and pictures one but wasn't sure what to expect/how to know if it's getting better. (Looked again and missed the bit about it getting worse first - distracted by pictures )

She doesn't have any hair loss, and I first noticed a scab on her ear almost 2 weeks ago, it took a couple of days for the inner ear to go crusty/scabby and now it's spread to the very bottom of the ear, although the skin is red (like a sunburn, except i keep them shielded from the sun) the fur isn't coming out, I've been ruffling it to get a better look at the skin but it's quite attached.

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah that's the one, I looked for Imaverol but couldn't find it, will try looking for the other name.

I've seen the hygiene and pictures one but wasn't sure what to expect/how to know if it's getting better. (Looked again and missed the bit about it getting worse first - distracted by pictures )

She doesn't have any hair loss, and I first noticed a scab on her ear almost 2 weeks ago, it took a couple of days for the inner ear to go crusty/scabby and now it's spread to the very bottom of the ear, although the skin is red (like a sunburn, except i keep them shielded from the sun) the fur isn't coming out, I've been ruffling it to get a better look at the skin but it's quite attached.

It is often more difficult to get rid of ringworm in the ear; the fungus usually sits at the root of the hairs and comes out once the hair is falling out.

I would second @helen105281 's suggestion to ask your vet for a prescription-only oral solution like itrafungol (which has been successfully used on guinea pigs with ringworm in the last few years), especially when topical treatment is not successful.
Imaverol/eniconazole is in our experience efficient and mild enough at the time to be carefully used around any sensitive organs like eyes, mouth/nose and ears. Apply with a cotton bud if necessary and let dry on the guinea pig.

 

[Becca x]

I will ask the vet for the oral solution, might they be able to provide me with Imaverol? And I found the website selling it, it says 4 times at 3 day intervals. Does that mean it only takes 4 treatments in total?

Should I try brushing her? I used to do it daily but the spray I've been using seems to have a hairspray effect on her and I bought it might be sore so I haven't been brushing her.

I'm also assuming she can't be bathed until a good couple of weeks after its cleared up?

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

The oral solution works much better, just remember to keep treating and cleaning until you can get back to a vet

 

[Becca x]

Will do, thanks

Am looking forward to having cuddles again without all the gloves, plastic sheeting and towels!

 

[Wiebke]

I will ask the vet for the oral solution, might they be able to provide me with Imaverol? And I found the website selling it, it says 4 times at 3 day intervals. Does that mean it only takes 4 treatments in total?

Should I try brushing her? I used to do it daily but the spray I've been using seems to have a hairspray effect on her and I bought it might be sore so I haven't been brushing her.

I'm also assuming she can't be bathed until a good couple of weeks after its cleared up?

Imaverol usually takes between 3-4 rounds; but it can take more in serious cases or with a guinea pig with underlying issues. Generally, acute ringworm symptoms should disappear within 7-10 days.

You have to wait 2-3 days after the last application of any external skin treatment for it to work fully, but you are free to bathe anytime afterwards. The two weeks quarantine/observation period at the end is there to make sure that the ringworm is fully gone. it takes 10-14 days between infection and outbreak, so you are making sure that you and your piggy are not carrying anything across.