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Eczema or ringworm?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DM 090120
  • Start date Start date
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DM 090120

my guinea pig is almost 3 months old and i have recently switched the bedding and i am noticing dry skin on his ear. i attached the pictures below of it. PLEASE HELP!!
 

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It is difficult to tell from a photo, but it does look like your guinea pig may have a skin condition.
She really does need to see a vet for a proper diagnosis though.
Please do not try to treat with home or pet shop remedies as this can hide some of the symptoms and make it difficult for a vet to give a proper diagnosis.
Please try and get her to a vet soon, and in the meantime you may want to assume that it is ringworm (worst case scenario) just to be on the safe side.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

Please take any other guinea pigs that you have along with her, as for some skin conditions all of the guinea pigs that live together will need to be treated at the same time.

Whatever it is, it looks like you caught it early so with the correct treatment it should clear up quickly.
 
Swissgreys said:
It is difficult to tell from a photo, but it does look like your guinea pig may have a skin condition.
She really does need to see a vet for a proper diagnosis though.
Please do not try to treat with home or pet shop remedies as this can hide some of the symptoms and make it difficult for a vet to give a proper diagnosis.
Please try and get her to a vet soon, and in the meantime you may want to assume that it is ringworm (worst case scenario) just to be on the safe side.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

Please take any other guinea pigs that you have along with her, as for some skin conditions all of the guinea pigs that live together will need to be treated at the same time.

Whatever it is, it looks like you caught it early so with the correct treatment it should clear up quickly.
Click to expand...

I agree on all points with @Swissgreys . Please see a vet for the correct diagnosis.
Fungal on the ears is not at all uncommon in guinea pigs and has likely no connection with the new bedding.
 
I can’t find the answer on google and i was wondering if ringworm was fatal?
 
Welcome to the forum
I can only echo the advice to go to the vet.
This is the best advice with any concern at all with piggies.
Don’t panic - if it is ringworm it’s not pleasant but shouldn’t be fatal if properly treated, promptly
Let us know how things go
 
Addyson Jackman said:
I can’t find the answer on google and i was wondering if ringworm was fatal?
Click to expand...

Ringworm is not fatal unless it combines with other health issues arising from lack of treatment/neglect. It is however painful and deeply distressing causing large bloody open sores and can cause heart weakening fitting in advanced stages.

HOWEVER ringworm is by far the most infectious transmittable species jumping problem there is - it also affects humans and a wide range of other pet species. In humans it is called tinea, and it can be a pain to get rid of, too.

It is a real headache to get rid of the thousands of long-lived invisible spores that are shed when the fungal skin infection gets going. the fact that many pet shop branches struggle to get on top of ringworm should tell you something.
If your vet diagnoses ringworm, please follow our hygiene tips. In a dozen years of existence, we have worked out how to best deal with it to get on top of it once on for all; the sooner you do that, the less hassle you'll have.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

There are however other forms of fungal infection that are not quite as aggressive.

Please see a vet promptly. We can only guess and NOT diagnose just from a picture, nor is any of us qualified to do so. No online forum or group can replace a hands-on vet examination.
 
Addyson Jackman said:
I can’t find the answer on google and i was wondering if ringworm was fatal?
Click to expand...
No, it's not fatal- it's a fungal skin infection producing a rash. You could end up with potentially serious complications if ringworm-affected skin acquired a secondary bacterial infection that was particularly nasty, but realistically ringworm is a nuisance skin fungus and not a fatal condition. It is, however, very contagious and you should practice very good handwashing and sterilization of cage contents in order to prevent spreading it around!
 
Glad you got him to the vets.
Hope all the meds work quickly.
Be very careful with the ringworm - I know from other members it can be difficult to deal with
 
Well done getting him seen by the vet.
Have a good read of the ringworm guide linked above to help prevent transfer to you.
 
Addyson Jackman said:
ringworm meds, ear mite meds, and 3 others
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You had previously said ringworm meds which caused the confusion. I am glad it was just a preventative measure and that he may not actually have ringworm :)
 
Had to make a new account. Teddy is doing very well. We think he had an ear infection and it looked like that from him itching it.
 
addyjackman said:
Had to make a new account. Teddy is doing very well. We think he had an ear infection and it looked like that from him itching it.
Click to expand...
Please speak to the admin about deleting your other account. Glad to hear he’s well otherwise.
 
addyjackman said:
Had to make a new account. Teddy is doing very well. We think he had an ear infection and it looked like that from him itching it.
Click to expand...

Glad that he is better and that it wasn't ringworm! Thank you for the update.
 
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