Skin Issues;

[foxxling]

Hey, so I'm new here, but I figured I'd launch straight into the problem. My guinea, Piffles, has had really bad skin since his cage mate (Flash) died a few months ago. Flash's death is undetermined, but he didn't seem to have the same problems as Piffles (it was more respiratory problems.)
Piffles got very itchy and his hair and skin began to patch and fall out. I figure this is similar to some kind of fungal infection; I'd show a picture or two, but my phone camera isn't good enough to show any detail.
The skin coming off him is very yellow and dead-looking, and the skin around the worst affected areas is all white-specked and mostly cut or inflamed. We've been bathing him and I read something on here about trying medicated shampoo, Nizoral, and he's just been bathed with it for the first time.
I was wondering if anyone knew any way to at least soothe his skin? He squeals in pain when he itches and falls over and is often stuck as if he's having a fit. It's terrible to watch, and to hear, and I'd really like to find some way to help him.
Thanks, Kendra

 

[GloriousGuineaGirl]

@helen105281. And others very much in the know will be along very soon. Sounds like some sort of fungal or mites. A Vet trip to determine is very much needed I am not expert but wish you all the best on getting it sorted and welcome to the forum Kendra.

 

[helen105281]

Hi Kendra, welcome to the forum.

It is not good that he is fitting and he needs vet treatment as soon as possible. It does sound like fungal to me but the symptoms of mange mites can be similar. For fungal I would recommend Imaverol dips once a week, just after bathing with the Nizoral. However, you do need a vet diagnosis first. Treatment for mange mites would be with Ivermectin, preferably by injection at 3 doses about 10 days apart. He will also need pain relief from the vets.

Also if the fungal is very bad, treatment with the oral fungal medication Itrafungol would be a good idea. My vet uses the same treatment as for a cat which is treating for 3 weeks but with a week off in between each week. The Itrafungol carries on working on the week off and so the treatment is effectively for 6 weeks in total. I would use this at the same time as the Imaverol.

Please check out our recommended vets link to see if there is a good vet near you.

Link to Imaverol

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Enilconazole-100mg_ml-100ml/productinfo/ENILCON/

The Imaverol is also soothing as it is an emollient and can be used topically between dips.

Also, you could put medical tape on his feet (very loose) as this should stop him damaging himself when scratching.

 

[foxxling]

Thanks for the welcome, and the help. The thing is, I don't know if I could afford any trip to the vets. I'm not sure on any free help I could get for him either, and I really want to prevent it at least getting worse.

 

[helen105281]

Are you eligible for help from the PDSA?

 

[foxxling]

No, we aren't, the financial situation we're in has only come about in the past two years and in any event we now own the house we're in.

 

[Knowles980]

poor guinea pig i hope that he gets better soon x

 

[Wiebke]

Could you contact your vet and ask them whether they accept a payment plan? Your piggy sounds like he really needs professional help, either with systemic fungal or ivermectin injections if he is as bad as fitting, which is usually a sign of advanced mange mites.