Strange behaviour - mites/fungal?

[wind1]

One of my boars had a severe fungal infection a few months ago which after weeks of treatment with GG products cleared up. At the time he was having seizures when I bathed him or rubbed lotion in to him. He has been fine since but yesterday when I picked him up he turned his head right round and went rigid like he did when he had the seizures. Also his breathing was very fast and noisy. I put him back in his hutch and he was fine, just carried on as normal. I have noticed recently when I stroke him he seems to not like me touching his sides. He is eating and drinking normally and his behaviour is normal apart from this episode. I have not picked him up since as I do not want this to happen again. I have treated him with xeno 450 and will repeat the dosage in 10 days. I have not noticed him scratching at all. Would this behaviour be normal for mites or fungal? I do also wonder if there is any neurological damage from the seizures he had before.

 

[Hels]

I wouldnt have thought this was normal behaviour for mites - I know that they can jump around and scratch and twitch even with mites due to the irritation they cause but going rigid I wouldn't have thought that due to mites/infection.

See what advice you get from others to see if they have experienced this. I haven't so don't want to lead you the wrong way but would probably advise a trip to the vet or a chat with your vet to see what they say?

H.
x

 

[alcesterpigs]

He still has a fungal problem, treat again.

 

[wind1]

I think the problem is internal as there are no outward signs of fungal infection ie no hair loss, no scratching, no dry skin or red sore patches. I am very reluctant to bath him because of last time. I have just picked him up again to check his skin and he did exactly the same as yesterday curling round going rigid. I am worried that each time he does this I am damaging him and he could be putting strain on his heart. If it is an internal problem what can I treat him with and do I have to take him to the vet? I have read on the GG website that Intrafungol can be used but this requires prescription and my vet probably wont prescribe without seeing him. I do not want to handle him any more than neccessary. Is there anything else I can treat him with myself?

 

[wind1]

Does anyone have any advice re what I should treat him with if it is an internal fungal problem as before I only treated for an external problem using lotions. Also does anyone know whether any permanent damage is likely to be done when he is fitting? Thanks

 

[Tracyxx]

You need something from a vet to treat him if he has an internal fungal problem. Fits can cause brain damage, basically in a nutshell their breathing can cause them to become hypoxic (low oxygen levels) which results in ischemic brain injury. I would go and see a vet anyway, fits are nasty things x

 

[Wiebke]

I recommend that you have him seen by a vet.

Fungus is not just restricted to the surface, it can spread inside the body as well.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

This does sound worrying, I do understand your concern. At the very least, can you talk to your vet on the phone? I do understand your reluctance to handle him to take him to the vet, I would be worried too.

There is one product that can be used without prescription, I believe pelicano (Sarah) has had some success with it for her pig who couldn't gain weight - one of the signs of a systemic fungal problem.
It is called Dida, I know Holland and Barrett stock it. If you're interested in trying it I've got the dose info here as well. It's a herbal product.
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=717

The preferable treatment would of course be to talk things over with your vet and try Itrafungol, it is a good drug for internal/systemic fungal problems.
I think pain relief could also help, if his skin is so sensitive he has such reactions every time you touch him.

May be worth phoning Vedra as well - I think she could probably answer your questions better than most of us at this point!

 

[wind1]

Thankyou for your replies. I have not picked him up yet but I was stroking his sides earlier and he didn't react at all. As he is ok in himself eating etc I will leave him over the weekend and see how he gets on as I have treated him for mites with xeno 450 and I'm hoping it could just be that. If he is still reacting to me picking him up by Monday I will speak to my vet and take him if necessary. I have metacam I can give him if I need to handle him.

 

[alcesterpigs]

Dida tablets, half tablet twice daily for three weeks, is a herbal remedy, ie it is not a drug as such, so, "It may help etc"
Far better to use a proven remedy such as Itrafungol, 0.5ml twice daily for 10-14 days.