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Skin advice pease!

F

Fm64

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 12, 2025
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Location
Southampton
Hi, could anyone advise me please on my six month sow, she’s been having skin problems ever since I introduced her to my other two sows.
We’ve been back and forth to the vets, and although he’s not an exotic vet, he has been contacting specialists for advice for us.
Ettie had problems on her nose which has now healed nicely, but she’s always been itchy, and was given ivomectin treatment for 5 weeks. This healed some scabs that she’d caused on her sides, but then she started scratching on her back.
Another vet visit and now we’re a week into having Itrafungal. She’s still itching and has a small flaky area on her back which is uncomfortable for her when I touch this, and she turns to itch it with her mouth.
I have read similar posts where others have suggested using nizoral or polytar shampoo, but don’t want to try this if it would make her worse.
It’s such a worry that she’s still struggling, not to mention the cost of her treatments, I feel like we’re not getting anywhere for her and don’t understand what I’m doing wrong.
My other two girls are fine by the way.
I’ve washed bedding and even changed hides away from wood but it doesn’t seem to help.
Thankyou for any advice!

Phot of her affected area now.
 

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If on fleece bedding/hideys, what detergent do you use?

Our Gerald had sensitive skin and we had to swap to a gentler non-bio from our shop-brand non-bio. It presented worst in areas that didn't even touch the bedding.
 
That’s interesting, I use Surf liquid, and it’s been ok in the past with all my piggies. Ever since she came to me she seems to have had problems, I feel awful. I will definitely change to a gentler one and see if that helps, thankyou.
 
Don't feel too badly over it, it sounds like you have made serious efforts to sort it!

It's strange to think that they sleep in their own poo but the detergent can be a problem.
 
GuineaDobbin said:
Don't feel too badly over it, it sounds like you have made serious efforts to sort it!

It's strange to think that they sleep in their own poo but the detergent can be a problem.
Click to expand...

Hopefully this will help - I use a non bio liquid and a little white vinegar in the conditioner slot to keep the fleece wicking
Good luck and let us know how you get on
I hope Ettie gets better asap
 
My wife has just reminded me, Gerald also reacted to ivermectin!

He developed a crusty, hairloss area on his back near where he had his drops administered. Sorry, I forgot completely until just now.
 
GuineaDobbin said:
My wife has just reminded me, Gerald also reacted to ivermectin!

He developed a crusty, hairloss area on his back near where he had his drops administered. Sorry, I forgot completely until just now.
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Interesting how piggies all react differently, I hope Gerald has made a good recovery.
Hettie seemed to respond to the ivomectin, then developed her flaky skin… 🫣 today is the 14th and last day of the itafungal, and she doesn’t seem so flaky, also not itching as much. Keeping my fingers crossed that she continues to improve! Also swapped detergent to a non bio, so hopefully she’ll be on the mend now. 🤞🤞
 
I posted recently about my 4 month old sow who has been having skin problems ever since she joined my other two sows.
She’s been treated with Ivomectin, once a week for two weeks as prescribed by my vet, who also took skin scrapes to test for ringworm. Tests were negative.
She then developed an itchy back, with flaky skin and small scab, and was then given Itrafungal for 2 weeks, which seemed to stop her itching and scratching, but now, a week after the treatment finished, she has developed a little bald patch , along with the flaky skin.
I have an appointment again tomorrow with my vet,but this is really wearing me down, and feel we’re going round in circles, not to mention the financial cost. My vet isn’t an exotic but he’s been contacting specialists for advice for us.
I’ve tried to think of every possibility as to what is affecting my girl…. can stress be a concern? The bond with one of the others has always been a little difficult, they don’t fight at all but the middle sow always nose bumps her away quite angrily, and Hettie will squeal, and avoid her when close.
They have a 6ft by 7ft floor area and a 2 by 6 c and c grid upstairs loft where they settle to sleep, so plenty of space.
Has Hettie’s treatment been correct? I’ve washed all bedding and changed the detergent, removed wooden hides and the other two also treated with ivomectin. Hettie’s fur and skin is healthy everywhere else, and she’s eating well and putting on weight.
I really feel at a loss.
Any advice would be so much appreciated.

Photos of Hettie’s current skin .
 

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Thankyou for the link.
This is the prescribed ivermectin.
 

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So the naqua - this is being used more often now that xeno is so hard to get hold of.

Ivermectin is usually given for three treatments but some are just harder to treat and can need a different product (selamectin or even injections rather than spot on treatments).
Treatment does not kill the eggs, it can only kill the mites after they have hatched. The eggs are kept in check by the immune system but if they are struggling with a lowered immune system then it can set off another infestation. They can have eggs in their skin long term.
 
Should I treat again for 3 weeks with the naqua, or use selamectin? And treat the other two sows as well?
I’m wondering if the Itrafungal wasn’t necessary…
Thankyou!
 
Fm64 said:
Should I treat again for 3 weeks with the naqua, or use selamectin? And treat the other two sows as well?
I’m wondering if the Itrafungal wasn’t necessary…
Thankyou!
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I’m afraid we cannot tell you exactly what to do - only a vet can do that. Definitely go back to the vet and have a chat with them about other possibilities in dealing with this.
 
Fm64 said:
Ok, I shall see what he says tomorrow, and have a chat with him. Thankyou so much for your advice, and the links, this has been a huge help.
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I’m sorry you’re dealing with this - it is such a worry @Fm64
@Piggies&buns has given you great advice 👍
You can show your Vet the info and get treatment as needed for Hettie
The treatment of Hettie by your middle sow sounds like usual piggy behaviour ie putting Hettie in her place by a more dominant sow.
I hope Hettie gets better soon
You’re a very devoted caring slave 🥰
 
I have just spoken with my vet, and now I’m getting concerned… he’s recommended treating Hettie another week on the Itrafungal and see how she goes.
I did mention my worries about mange mites, and asked if we should treat again with another ivermectin, but his response was he was surprised that the Itrafungal hadn’t already cleared things up.
Am I correct in thinking that Itrafungal does NOT treat mites?
 
Thankyou… I would like to take your advice and have her treated for mites, but now my vet has given other advice I’m very confused.
 
You can only do what your vet tells you.
You could get a second opinion

All we can tell you is that the v shape is a classic mange mite sign
 
Piggies&buns said:
You can only do what your vet tells you.
You could get a second opinion

All we can tell you is that the v shape is a classic mange mite sign
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Hi, I wanted to let you know I got a second opinion with Hettie’s condition, but this vet also recommended continuing the Itrafungal. He took some sellotape to her fur and put it under the microscope and said he couldn’t see any signs of mites.
I did voice my concerns about her having mites, and the classic V shape on her back but he wasn’t convinced.
So here we are a week later and Hettie hasn’t improved, if anything she’s losing more hair. I know I have to trust the vet but I still wonder if she needs treatment for mites…. I still have the ivermectin, would it harm her if I treated her as before, instead of the Itrafungal?
It’s so worrying seeing her like this, but I really don’t know what’s best for her!
 
I really feel your frustration but we can’t tell you to go against vet advice.

But It is strange that she has had so much intrafungal but it isn’t getting better.
Mange mites burrow deep into the skin meaning a sellotape test is not effective. It can be effective to diagnose hay mites which live on the body surface
 
Piggies&buns said:
I really feel your frustration but we can’t tell you to go against vet advice.

But It is strange that she has had so much intrafungal but it isn’t getting better.
Mange mites burrow deep into the skin meaning a sellotape test is not effective. It can be effective to diagnose hay mites which live on the body surface
Click to expand...

Thankyou… it is incredibly frustrating.
I was advised to give Hettie another week of Itrafungal which we’ve done, and I contacted the new vet to ask if we were to continue, but he’s not available now until Monday, which is really disappointing.
I understand you can’t advise what to do, but would it harm Hettie if I were to give her ivermectin today?
I’ve noticed she’s itching more again now.
Thankyou.
 
Technically because intrafungal is oral meds and ivermectin is a topical spot on, they can potentially both be used at the same time.
I personally have never had to use both at the same time. You may find other threads on here where people have but those people would have been under vet guidance doing so.
 
I’m sorry for you and Hettie
You just want her to get better
Would it be worth visiting a different Vet surgery ? A Vet that specialises in exotics ?
You have had so much advice etc but she isnt any better …
Good luck 🥰
 
Roselina said:
I’m sorry for you and Hettie
You just want her to get better
Would it be worth visiting a different Vet surgery ? A Vet that specialises in exotics ?
You have had so much advice etc but she isnt any better …
Good luck 🥰
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Thankyou… we have been to 3 different vets so far, there isn’t any exotics near me as far as I’m aware. I feel like I’m the crazy guinea pig lady! Also I’m extremely worried about the financial side of things too, there’s been a lot of expense recently with two of my older piggies that were pts and also my cat too. I’ve pretty much used up all my savings and I’m not sure how long I can keep Hettie’s care running.
I’m scared that I might have to surrender her to a rescue but that seems like the worst result ever, also a massive failure on my side. I’m really struggling to cope.
 
Whenever I have given ivermectin treatment, I have done it once a week for 4 weeks. This my vet agrees with. You mentioned that the ivermectin was given for 5 weeks initially. Was that once a week? And then I think you said another 2 weeks later on?
 
pelicano said:
Whenever I have given ivermectin treatment, I have done it once a week for 4 weeks. This my vet agrees with. You mentioned that the ivermectin was given for 5 weeks initially. Was that once a week? And then I think you said another 2 weeks later on?
Click to expand...

Hettie had 3 weeks of ivermectin before then going onto Itrafungal for 2 weeks.
A week after no treatment she developed the bald spots. She has now had 8 days of Itrafungal again with no improvement.
 
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