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Serious Help Needed!

  • Thread starter Thread starter emmal
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emmal

Hi,

I have never had Guinea Pigs before and brought two of them on Thursday just gone. I noticed on had a very small red scab on his face under his eye, i looked the next morning and it had spread to three scabs and quite red, i took them back to the store and had a vet check them. On doing this i was told that both Guinea Pigs may have a fungal disease but not sure which one they have! On asking the vet if the funal disease they have can be passed onto my two dogs they said not unless they have literaly touched the Guinea Pigs, but in the last ten mins i have noticed a brownish circle which looks like an old scab on my dogs head and have paniked! i have called the vet and told them the situation and they dont think its an emergency but I'm very worried - so my question is basically does anyone know if any Guinea Pig fungal diseases can be passed onto other animals!

Thanks

Emma
 
Hi

Yes the vets are now investigating which fungal disease it is but its what fungal infections can be caught by dogs as we have now seen two scabs on his head. Just worried that my dog has it and cant find a list of fungal infections carried in Guinea Pigs which can be caught by dogs.

Thanks for your rapid reply

emma
 
What your guinea pigs are having sounds very much like ringworm. It is quite infectious and one of the few things that can spread to humans, so make sure that you wash your hands really well beofre and after you handle your piggies.

Ringworm is not uncommon in shop bought guinea pigs because it spreads so easily in stressed animals.

I would recommend looking around for a good vet who does treat exotics (and has the qualifications for that). I have yet to be impressed by pet shop vets who don't seem to know all that much about the small animals they are treating (and whaich are not exactly covered a lot during a general vet's curriculum!). a good vet is worth his weight in gold and can make the difference between life and death.
 
:)p Hello. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that your first experience of guinea pigs has been so stressful.

Don't panic. You can't do anything for your pets tonight but do make an appointment to see an experienced vet tomorrow. If you're not sure where to find a suitably qualified vet please tell us whereabouts you are and someone might have a recommendation. If it is ringworm then it can be treated successfully although may take some time to clear. I would ask the pet shop to reimburse you for any treatment. You do not necessarily have to use their vets.
 
Hi, I'm sure the vet will be able to sort your guineas out, in the meantime, as others have said, just take precautions with hygiene etc. It is unlikely though that what your dog has originates from your guinea pigs due to the time frame. Ringworm although contagious is very easily treated. There are different methods, some involving bathing, some oral medication, some both, but once you get a definite diagnosis, your pigs will hopefully improve quickly. Good luck. x
 
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