Could this be ringworm?

[pockett]

I have adopted a beautiful girl but I have noticed she has a bald spot at her shoulder. There used to be scabing there that has now since healed, but the bald spot remains. I plan to take her to the vet in the coming days, but I'm just wondering if I should start disinfecting the guinea pig longings just in case or if it's possible that it's just wound from fighting with other piggies at her prvious place? Multiple thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

I have adopted a beautiful girl but I have noticed she has a bald spot at her shoulder. There used to be scabing there that has now since healed, but the bald spot remains. I plan to take her to the vet in the coming days, but I'm just wondering if I should start disinfecting the guinea pig longings just in case or if it's possible that it's just wound from fighting with other piggies at her prvious place? Multiple thanks.

Hi and welcome

It is impossible for us to say without hands-on access. Good that you are going to see a vet who is better poised to judge and to give you some good quality products.

Since it is in a non-typical area, it could be either mange mites (trixacarus caviae, Kraetzmilbe) or ringworm (fungal skin infection, Tinea). Is this a private intake or a rescue adoptee? Could you ask whether there has been any treatment (prescribed or on spec by the caregiver) which could have additionally removed any clues and wiped the 'crime scene'. Fungal and skin parasites require different treatment.

Here is more information on typical skin problems in new or neglected guinea pigs from other that good welfare standard rescue sources (good rescues/Notstellen will only adopt out once any health issues have been fully cured): New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites

 

[pockett]

Hello again, I come with an update.
She's adopted from a family that bought her from a petstore but couldn't take care for her. Afaik she received no treatment prior as it was undetected.
So the vet took a skin scrape and didn't find any parasites so we got prescribed anti-fungal treatment and at first it worked great, she was still scratching but hair started growing back (see first attached picture), but this week it has gotten worse, she's scratching more and her skin is worse and she freaks out really bad when I touch her. I am planning to visit the vet again but possibly one that is more specialized in exotic pets, but I would like to ask what I can expect. Would ringworm develop like this or is it more likely that it's undetected mites? Attached pictures, she's greasy and a bit moist from her treatment. You can see flaky skin at the base of her ear and a sore on her side.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello again, I come with an update.
She's adopted from a family that bought her from a petstore but couldn't take care for her. Afaik she received no treatment prior as it was undetected.
So the vet took a skin scrape and didn't find any parasites so we got prescribed anti-fungal treatment and at first it worked great, she was still scratching but hair started growing back (see first attached picture), but this week it has gotten worse, she's scratching more and her skin is worse and she freaks out really bad when I touch her. I am planning to visit the vet again but possibly one that is more specialized in exotic pets, but I would like to ask what I can expect. Would ringworm develop like this or is it more likely that it's undetected mites? Attached pictures, she's greasy and a bit moist from her treatment. You can see flaky skin at the base of her ear and a sore on her side.

View attachment 217909View attachment 217910

Hi

That ear looks very sore; it should also be seen for a potential infection from the scratching.
We can't make any diagnosis from just a picture but a two-pronged fungal and parasite approach won't hurt if your vet thinks the same, especially after you have been already treating the spots and have wiped out any telltale signs to a good degree.

Please be aware that unless you are very thorough and absolutely meticulous with your hygiene, ringworm can return. The spores are invisibly tiny, are shed in their thousands and can stay live for up to two years or even a little longer, if you are unlucky - including those left sitting in the coat or picked up from the bedding, furniture or even via clothes you are wearing during handling.
An oral systemic fungicide for cats (UK brand: itrafungol, but there are others) can help with getting into all nooks and crannies of the body, even places that you cannot reach or that are hard to treat, like ears. If you only treat the acute spots on the skin, then you are not getting on top of the spores and will suffer more outbreaks.
That is where our recommended hygiene measures come in. In 15 years of forum experience we have had plenty of time and opportunity to work out all the many ways in which ringworm spores can be transmitted and how to best cut off all possible angles during and after treatment to prevent a comeback. Ringworm is in some ways more of a hygiene/transmission problem than a medical problem.

Please take the time to read our ringworm guide carefully and follow it closely. We know from our own piggies and members' experiences that it really works when you do so: Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

What you may want to additionally discuss with your vet is some short-term immune system boosting (like a short-term vitamin C booster) to help the body to fight from within. It is your the most powerful ally in fighting skin parasites and also ringworm. A fully working immune system can for instance usually keep any mange mite eggs that are dormant in the skin and cannot be killed off under control.

All the best!