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Bald patch on piggy nose

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Artemis

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Hi

I bought two pigs, 2wks ago and one has developed a bald patch on his nose, similar to the last picture on this page...

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

Do I go to the store I bought him from and ask for something, do I take him to vets, possibly the mostly costly option or do I buy something over the counter? If so, what?

There are no other patches on him, apart from a stump toe he is fine. The other piggy has no problems at all. I did leave it for a few days because initially I thought it might have been a bite from the other pig. Relieved they aren't fighting but want to get this sorted quickly.

Many thanks, (my first post)
 
you can use canerstan 1% from the pharmacy 2-3 times day on the affected areas and on the ears,you can also buy nizoral shampoo from there too which can be used to bath the guinea in once a week but dont get water in the nose,keep using the cream for about 2 wks after the scab and balding has gone..

dont tell the chemist its for guinea pigs has they wont give it to you but i have used it in many rescue guineas and found good results x

you can also look on the Gorgeous Guineas website who make guineas shampoos up for you they are very cheap and very good.just email Chrissy and tell her the problem and she will make a treatment up for you xx


Also that is ringworm and you can catch it yourself so always wear gloves and change clothers after handling and treat your other guinea too with the shampoo and cream on its ears x
 
I would recommend a visit to your vet in order to confirm the diagnosis; treating skin problems at home should only be done when you are familiar with the signs and know what you are doing.

Here is more about fungus (especially ringworm):
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
 
I had a pig with a similar looking problem some time ago, problem is, I was only 12 and my dad got the meds for me. I have rang the pet store and they have offered to pay for the vet bills as he is still under guarantee :) seems funny having a guarantee for an animal...I'd never take him back.

It is funny how they say on the invoice that they would never knowingly sell a deformed animal..mine is clearly deformed, mutant toe :p

I've booked him in Vets tonight so we shall see :) thanks for your replies. xx
 
Pictures of Adi and his poorly nose

IMG00064-20100525-1917.jpg


Took him to the Vets. Vet said she isn't convinced that its fungus and said it was a bite. She scanned him with a light and said if he glowed, there were mites or fungus, his ears glowed and he has got a sore patch on his ear too...she still said she thought it was a bite. Gave me two lots of drugs, one she said was a paracetamol type thing and one that began with M (they are at home, I'm at work) and said to bathe the affected areas in that once every three days.

Pets at home paid the bill and suggested canisten or ringworm cream for people.

I'm a little worried now as the vet thinks my other guinea pig may be barbering him..however, I dont think this is the case?

plz note, this picture was taken after it was bathed.

you can see his ear a little on this one too..doesnt look at all like a bite, but only my opinion.
IMG00062-20100525-1916.jpg
 
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Pretty clear pics, I agree I wouldn't think that was a bite wound, it looks more fungal to me - the 'glow' test is by no means 100% anyway and there are lots of fungal things that aren't ringworm. Just be careful in case it is, i.e wear gloves when treating, and clean the cage at the same time.

Is the other piggy ok?

Sophie
x
 
Thank you. I was gutted when I came out of there with no real answer. I don't think we'll be going back there again. I know that Vets train for a long time but..well..I have no faith in this woman.

The other guinea pig is absolutely fine, all of this fur looks really thick and lustrous. (fingers crossed he stays this way). I don't have a spare cage to separate them and I'd be worried they would fight when reintroduced.

As a child, I had 4 pigs and only one got poorly, the others were fine and were housed together. I really hope the other one doesn't fall ill too :( we've only had them 5mins :(
 
If it IS fungal then the other pig might get it, might not - there is little rhyme or reason to it. So I would leave them together and if you do decide to bath e.g Nizoral then treat both at the same time just in case.

Some vets are very good with guineas, others less so (if they don't see many) so it's a matter of finding one who is good with 'exotics'. Whereabouts are you?

It should clear up easily enough. If he came in here like that I would treat for fungal, and wait until he's clear for 2 weeks before treating like a normal pig (i.e no gloves!). It would really help if you could get an accurate diagnosis though - of course it's impossible to tell from pictures and we're not qualified vets - but I've seen a lot of fungal piggies here.

Sophie
x
 
Here is a list of dangerous meds (especially antibiotics).
http://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html

Sadly, guinea pigs do not feature much on a vet course, considering how widespread they are! It is worth looking for an exotics vet in your region if possible, as guinea pigs are classed as exotics.

I wish you the best of luck in treating your little boy!

PS: Here is another good website for checkup pics and advice for skin problems; gorgeous guinea sell quite a range of products.
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html
 
I live in Wednesbury, west mids.

Nizoral, is this a dandruff shampoo? (I googled, want to make sure i've got the right one) So you would say bathe the whole body and not just the infected area? Come to think of it you know, I have noticed a specs in his fur that dont appear on the other animal, I assumed it was bits from the cage. Poor boy.
I will give the canisten a whirl too.

Feeding him with a syringe was fun! I bet he hates me now lol.

I will do some searching on the internet to try to find a local vet that sees more "exotics" thank you all
 
Nizoral is dandruff shampoo, yes - and you need to bathe the whole piggy (use the foam on delicate bits, with a flannel if you need to, try not to get it in eyes or ears, easier said than done!). Or Gorgeous Guineas do some Neem shampoos which are good for fungal, and gentler.

Canasten or Daktarin Gold (athlete's foot) can be applied several times a day if needed, try a little patch test first though to make sure he doesn't have a reaction to it.

If you get in touch with Cambridge Cavy Trust (CCT) , Vedra who runs it can often recommend a guinea savvy vet or rodentologist in your area.

Sophie
x
 
PS: Here is another good website for checkup pics and advice for skin problems; gorgeous guinea sell quite a range of products.
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html[/QUOTE]

I took a look on this website before, makes you cringe doesnt it :( he doesnt look like any of those pictures though and its so difficult when I have no diagnosis :(

I'll have a mooch around this website, Thank you
 
Brilliant. Thank you Sophie. I got a little overwhelmed at first. I have a plan of action now :)

Thank you for the info about the cavy trust too :) This forum is worth its weight in gold already! if a website can weigh anything...? xx>>>
 
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