Severe Hair Loss

[Doghouse135]

Several weeks ago one of my piggies developed a large bald spot with some reddening and very small scabs. I took her to the vets and had her treated with ivermectin- 3 doses.. Nothing changed so they then gave her an oral fungal medication (Itrafungol) - 2 lots @ 0.5ml once a day
The situation has deteriorated and she is now being bathed in Imaverol. I have just given her a second bath but it looks SO sore that I don't know what else to do. She has been seperated from the other pigs for weeks now and thankfully no other animals in the household have caught it as yet. I'll try and add some photos but they're on my phone. They're shocking and so upsetting as I've been trying to work with the vets but I'm at a loss to understand what it is. It's nothing that I've ever come across in my 35 years of owning piggies :-(

 

[Doghouse135]

 

[Doghouse135]

Sorry for the large pictures - I've never really got to grips with posting. As you can see, it looks very distressing although she is not scratching hardly at all and doesn't seem too bothered by it. She's on paper currently whilst she dries off but has a snugglesafe in her cage and she's being kept indoors.

 

[Beans&Toast]

Oh God that looks painful, poor pig. @helen105281 @Adelle may be able to help x

 

[worried val of york]

I am no expert but the skin looks really sore and angry. Has the vet told you why the skin is looking like this after so much treatment .I am hoping one of the experts can give you some guidance and reassurance.

 

[helen105281]

Oh that looks so sore. How long was she on the Itrafungol for? Is she on pain relief? Has your vet tested for anything other than fungal? just thinking it could be a skin infection if it is not responding to fungal treatment. Where abouts are you?

 

[Doghouse135]

No - they're at a bit of a loss. They seem to think that after we've tried the Imaverol, we may have to go the biopsy route. It stayed the same for weeks without getting any better or worse and only got this bad about 3 weeks ago. It seems to calm down the day after the Imaverol dip but then started getting angry and sore again just before tonights bath. The Ivermectin and the Itrafungol made no difference. As you can see from the last picture, the skin around the edges is lovely and pink so I'm wondering whether the 'infected' hair has dropped out and she'll now start to heal. It doesn't look typically ringworm to me though. She's eating and drinking as normal and not excessively scratching although it does occasionally irritate her. I've tried to up her intake of Vit C too.

 

[helen105281]

It doesn't look typical Ringworm to me either, but there are many different types of fungal so it could be one of those. I think a biopsy may be a good idea in case it is an infection. I think one of mine was once treated with a cream that had silver in it, though I would be wary about that in case it is fungal as creams can make the skin heat up.

 

[Doghouse135]

She had two weeks of Itrfungol and is not on any pain relief. The vet hasn't actually tested for anything specific that I'm aware of. Initially, when I took her I saw a different vet and he thought it was a skin infection so put her on a course of Baytril. That made no difference either :-(

 

[Doghouse135]

It would seem logical that it's a skin infection as none of my other 5 piggies have developed anything connected with mites or fungal. We treated them all with ivermectin when we thought it could be mites but none of them have had any fungal treatment. That said, I did seperate her quite quickly to prevent the spread of any nasties !

 

[helen105281]

Am a bit stumped to be honest. Imaverol and Itrafungol are my usual options and you have exhausted those. I think further investigation to see if it is an infection should be the next route. Is your vet a piggy savvy vet or an exotic one?

 

[Adelle]

Id get a second opinion and watch the dip treatment as it can be harsh on the skin and may have aggravated her problem.

I'd stop the treatment and get her to another more knowledgable vet for a diagnosis. Definately ask for pain relief X

 

[Doghouse135]

They have always been extremely pig savvy although not classed as an exotics vet. I have taken my pigs there before and they've been far more clued up than any other vet I've had - ie they've given my elderly pigs hormone implants for ovarian cysts etc rather than putting them through surgery. I am local to Trinity Vets and in the past have used them but haven't felt the need to in the last few years due to the confidence I have in my current practice.

 

[Doghouse135]

Sorry Adelle - posted at the same time I think. Thank you for your advice. Would you suggest a second opinion before letting my vet do the biopsy ?

 

[Sian25]

I'm no expert but can you not try medical grade manuka honey on it? It has antifungal properties.

 

[Doghouse135]

I'm no expert but can you not try medical grade manuka honey on it? It has antifungal properties.

Happy to try anything - just don't want to make it any worse for her. They want me to go back at the end of this week so I'll give them another ring in the morning.

 

[GPTV]

Edit has she been checked for ovarian cysts too?
Try asking the vet if u could try bathing her skin with diluted hibiscrub?
That has resistance to some fungi, it also has antiseptic &antimicrobial
Qualities. @helen105281 @Adelle @Abi_nurse
Any ideas on hibiscrub for this purpose, I know its used by some on here as a wound cleanser.

@Sian like your thinking , would be good to ask the vet about this too.

Healing vibes to the poor little poppet &see if you can get some painkiller sorted for her. Even if its just a low dose , pain is often disguised by guineas as they are prey animals. So the stress of the pain may be exasperating her skin issue.

Hope she's sorted soon. Xx

 

[Adelle]

Sorry Adelle - posted at the same time I think. Thank you for your advice. Would you suggest a second opinion before letting my vet do the biopsy ?

Id worry about that skin healing after a biopsy to be honest. Personally I'd cut the chemicals right back and work on the inflammation and redness of the skin with a gentle cream and cleanser, prescribed by a vet. Metacam is a must in her case, definately get onto your vet about that tomorrow as they should of prescribed it already- she will be in a lot of pain.