Systemic fungal infection?

[Tracyxx]

How do I know if a pig has a systemic fungal infection and will Daktarin oral gel treat it?

 

[alcesterpigs]

A look through previous threads for skin problems will give you most, if not all, of the information you want to know. A Google search for gp skin problems will also be of help.
However, Daktarin Oral Gel will not be of much use as a treatment, as it is meant for the treatment of problems in the mouth.
Itrafungol is the drug that is very effective for the treatment of a systemic fungal infection. It is only available on prescription and is not licensed for use on guinea pigs, however, many gp friendly vets are prepared to use it. The other drug available is Griseofulvin. It also is POM but is available for gp use.
I have no doubt that the typists on the forum will now give you chapter and verse on the subject, I can only type slowly!

 

[Tracyxx]

I have tried looking through older threads and Google too AP but I am worried about the 'mangy pig' (I mean this in a nice way) He clearly has an obvious fungal skin infection which I am treating with various potions but I read on PG that guineas can 'ingest' the fungus. I was wondering what the symptoms of this would be? Can the fungus spread to internal organs? I was hoping not to stress the little man out with another car journey but I can feel a vet visit coming on now :x

 

[Tracyxx]

Also AP is it worth giving the mangy pig some Piriton to help with the itching? He is itchy and scratchy and does nothing but bite and rip into his skin.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Double post...see the one below!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Hi Tracy, sorry to hear "mangy pig" still isn't doing too good!

Symptoms of a systemic fungal infection include...

- Weight loss, and inability to gain weight (as the spores prevent normal absorption of nutrients through the gut wall);
- Loss of appetite;
- Diarrhoea;
- Odour, especially in the genital region;
- Greyish "lining" in a boars anal sac.

One of my sows had a suspected systemic fungal infection for a short while, she had a very particular odour all about her. She did have a short bout of diarrhoea, but her main symptom was the inability to gain weight (despite huge syringe feedings - 120ml+ daily) and this odour. I can't explain what it smelt like, but it seemed to come from all over her - the smell was in her hair, on her skin, on her face, around her rear end. It just 'emanated' from her.

If you'd prefer to stick with a herbal OTC treatment, Dida from health food stores can be used. I believe Sarah (pelicano) had success with this, her sow Holly had problems with her weight which were finally resolved after a course of Dida tablets.

For a pig is a condition as bad as "mangy pig", I can't help but think he'd benefit from being given some Itrafungol from the start. Dida is worth a try if he is not yet displaying signs of systemic fungal, but Itrafungol should be able to help his external condition as well as treating any that has started internally.

 

[Tracyxx]

Hi Laura
I suppose I won't be able to tell whether he has some of these symptoms for a while. I tried to weigh him but he's so nervous he just can't sit still. His skin is looking a BIT better today *touch wood a million times*, less red and inflamed, and some of the white scurf has come away. Looking at his bum is going to be impossible but he's passing normal pellets and has a huge apetite. I will wait a few days and see what happens.
Can a systemic fungal infection kill?
Where would I get Itrafungol from?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I don't know if the fungal infection itself can kill, but the symptoms can reach a fatal point. If the lack of absorption of nutrients goes on for long enough, the pig will get into quite a state, in a condition where it appears he's not be eating at all.

My sweet Tuppy pig was down to 680g despite the large syringe-feeds, it was a huge struggle to maintain it and any less than 100ml per day of syringe-food and she'd drop yet more weight. I put it down to her dental trouble until the diarrhoea, which developed after a good couple of weeks of struggling to maintain her weight.

Itrafungol is a Prescription-Only Medicine, unfortunately, so a trip to the vets would be necessary...without a guarantee that the vet would give you the right drug, too. I would suspect a vet would prescribe an anti-fungal dip, if anything. You have covered all other bases that I can recall.
Maybe worth getting the Dida tablets and giving them a try, or just have them to hand *just in case* you suspect he may have developed an internal fungal problem as well. Boots also sell these, but here's the link to Holland & Barrett: http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=717

Re the itching, have you tried aloe vera ointment? It might be worth smothering his worst patches and lesions with the ointment, I believe it has mild anti-fungal properties as well as being a great soother. If it comes down to it, a body bandage could be fashioned until his skin has healed further. I've not made one before though, so any tips I could come up with for that would not be my own experience!

 

[Tracyxx]

Thanks Laura. Not sure about taking him to the vets just yet as he's so nervous - well nervous doesn't cut it really, he's more hysterical, his sides heave and he squeals until he's hoarse :... My vet is good but only ever prescribes Baytril. I will try the Dida tablets this weekend. Lots of people have suggested the Aloe Vera but I haven't got a car yet so getting some is impossible til the weekend. My GG stuff should hopefully get here tomorrow and I've ordered the super souffle cream which sounds good. The fight wounds on his ears look worse today - not sure why? unless the Fungiklenze shampoo irritated them slightly, and he was so stressed I didn't bother putting cream on them again last night. Gosh it's just a nightmare mallethead I do hope he gets better quickly, it's soo distressing seeing a guinea in pain like this

 

[Laura-CCC4]

You're doing well with him though, don't ever doubt that. So many people would have (indeed, did) just walk by and ignore the state of the pigs, but you got him out and are doing all you can to make him better.

It is hard enough trying to treat a poorly piggie when they're tame, and although it is no wonder he is so hypersensitive and impossible to handle it does make it very difficult for you.

Is he on any other oral medication, or just his pain relief?
Is it possible that the wounds on his ears are worse today because he's scratching them? They may feel itchy as they're healing.

 

[Lisajazz]

Chin up honey you're trying really hard for him - well done you.

I hope you get some success soon.

Can anyone take you to get the aloe vera ointment and dida?

Poor baby.

 

[KingBoris&HisFollowers]

I used intrafungal on my piggy anmd it worked very well,when/if it gets bad seizures also occur.
I hope your piggy is ok x

 

[alcesterpigs]

A systemic fungal infection, left untreated, will kill a pig.
I have used Dida tablets on pigs with a fungal problems but I failed to detect any improvement in the condition even after a 28 day course of treatment.
You must bear in mind that herbal products are not drugs, that is why the packaging carries the phrase "this product may help.... etc"
If you do use aloe vera as a skin soother make sure you use the ointment and not the gel.

You can also use Daktarin Gold Ointment as a localised treatment.
Ask your vet to treat him with Itrafungol.

 

[alcesterpigs]

Further to earlier comments;
I have used body bandages on pigs with skin trouble but these days I tend not to use them.
The very act of applying the bandage can cause a pig to have a fit. Likewise, even after applying the bandage, the pig can become distressed trying to remove it.
Furthermore, the fungus tends to thrive in a hot, moist environment, which are the very conditions under the bandage.
The observant amongst you will see I produce longer answers at night and I still only use one finger to type.
I envy those who were taught to type whilst they were at school.

 

[nutmeg]

The observant amongst you will see I produce longer answers at night and I still only use one finger to type.
I envy those who were taught to type whilst they were at school.

I am one of the 'old' lucky ones who were taught to touch type at school, but rarely post in Health and Illness. However, what everyone has said about itrafungal is spot on. Your little pig may just benefit from one more trip out to the vet, sounds like he needs it. When my vet gave me itrafungal, it was a small bottle that lasted ages, and used on other pigs with problems too, so I 'had it in' for a while, it works. x

 

[alcesterpigs]

My answers may be short but I make up for that on the telephone..