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Guinea Pig With Mouth Sores - Vet Baffled!

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MrsMichic

MrsMichic

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Hi all

My lovely piggy Clive has sores on his lips that look like cold sores, and also brown discharge at the sides of his mouth. We have been to the vet numerous times and she is baffled! We've tried antibiotics, both topically and orally, and we have also tried an antifungal. She suspected cheilitis but that should have been cleared up by the antibiotics. We tried antifungal in case it's something like thrush but that didn't help and gave him a bad tummy. The only things that co-incided with the onset of this were 1. having corn on the cob, however I haven't given since and 2. starting to use the snugglesafe heat pads at night. It had nearly cleared up and I put a heat pad in last night, and this morning it's much worse. Is this a co-incidence?! Could be be allergic to the pad?!?!? The vet is baffled - only option now is to do a bi-opsy but she's reluctant to do this as it would mean an anaesthetic. Has anyone else encountered this? Thanks in advance x
 
MrsMichic said:
Hi all

My lovely piggy Clive has sores on his lips that look like cold sores, and also brown discharge at the sides of his mouth. We have been to the vet numerous times and she is baffled! We've tried antibiotics, both topically and orally, and we have also tried an antifungal. She suspected cheilitis but that should have been cleared up by the antibiotics. We tried antifungal in case it's something like thrush but that didn't help and gave him a bad tummy. The only things that co-incided with the onset of this were 1. having corn on the cob, however I haven't given since and 2. starting to use the snugglesafe heat pads at night. It had nearly cleared up and I put a heat pad in last night, and this morning it's much worse. Is this a co-incidence?! Could be be allergic to the pad?!?!? The vet is baffled - only option now is to do a bi-opsy but she's reluctant to do this as it would mean an anaesthetic. Has anyone else encountered this? Thanks in advance x
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Hi!

Advanced cheilitis can be impossible to clear, and it can even be fatal. It depends on what kind of bug gets into the tiny cracks in the lips from too much acid.

My guess would be rather a reaction to the corn on the cob.

@Adelle @helen105281
 
Thank you :-) Any suggestions on how to treat this if so?
 
What was the name of the anti-fungal that was used?
 
I will have a look when I get home - it isn't licensed for use on guinea pigs apparently, its normally used for cats - the vet had to check with an expert. It was given orally and made him very stinky!
 
I thought the antibiotics and anti fungal would clear this kind of thing. Also surprised it didn't. I think more checks by an expert would help.
 
MrsMichic said:
I will have a look when I get home - it isn't licensed for use on guinea pigs apparently, its normally used for cats - the vet had to check with an expert. It was given orally and made him very stinky!
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It may have been either Itrafungol or Nystatin. My Nigel used to have chelitis that was caused by fungal and Nystatin did help, though it was one of may issues he had going on and we lost him not that long after treatment started due to renal failure.
 
It was itrafungal. Very sorry to hear about Nigel :-( thanks for posting and I'll ask the vet about the other anti fungal x
 
Annabellam said:
I thought the antibiotics and anti fungal would clear this kind of thing. Also surprised it didn't. I think more checks by an expert would help.
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Yes the vet thought one or other would help :-/ I've been washing his sores with hibiscrub which has helped so suggested it was bacterial - but he's had mega doses of antibiotic not to no effect. We didn't try the anti fungal for long though as it upset his tummy. He's otherwise perfectly well, eating fine and in fact a bit fat! X
 
I had a piggy years ago that was treated by the Cambridge Cavy Trust for Chelitis & they used Genetian Violet, but you would need to consult your vet as to whether it is suitable to use first, don't treat on spec in case it is poisonous.
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I had a piggy years ago that was treated by the Cambridge Cavy Trust for Chelitis & they used Genetian Violet, but you would need to consult your vet as to whether it is suitable to use first, don't treat on spec in case it is poisonous.
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Ooh thanks I'll tell her about that - definitely worth a try (if she can advise on amounts etc). X
 
You could always ask your vet about applying a topical Imaverol solution which should help if it is fungal.
 
Do u feed him much fruit?
Juicy or Acidic fruits such as apple, pineapple, berries or tomato can aggravate Chelitus. The acid gets in to the cracks in the scab/skin &also makes it easier for bacteria to get in&multiply.
I would try &stick to drier foods for a few days to see if there's any improvement.
Hay &nuggets for a couple days maybe?

Ask your vet if you can use slightly more concentrated hibiscrub solution than before. Just dabbing on with a cotton bud if they think its bacterial opposed to fungal &helped last time.

What kind of environment does Clive live in?
If its warm/humid then fungal outbreaks seem to be more common-although not always.

If Clive is stressed or slightly under condition he's going to be more susceptible to these kind of ailments. Even simple things like changes of bedding type. Repositioning of the hutch/cage . Grief, loneliness &other things such as a hay poke can all be detrimental to some more sensitive natured guineas.
Causing their immune system to not be as effective.

Discuss with the vet which they think it is
&if its confirmed as fungal I would try as Helen105281 suggests try the topical Imaverol solution.
It won't upset his digestive system like the oral version.

Does he have a damp dishcloth smelling breath or is it odourless?
If his breath smells it may be a
sign of oral thrush &hampering his mouth scabs healing?
Are his teeth ok? Sometimes they can dribble when they have teeth problems which would make the sides of his mouth sore etc.
(oh &edit just noticed u mentioned him being checked for thrush.)

Maybe ask for a second opinion from another vet if you're not happy with the current vet?

Healing vibes to Clive xx
 
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GPTV said:
Do you feed him much fruit?
Juicy or Acidic fruits such as apple, pineapple, berries or tomato can aggravate Chelitus. The acid gets in to the cracks in the scab/skin &also makes it easier for bacteria to get in&multiply.
I would try &stick to drier foods for a few days to see if there's any improvement.
Hay &nuggets for a couple days maybe?

Ask your vet if you can use slightly more concentrated hibiscrub solution than before. Just dabbing on with a cotton bud if they think its bacterial opposed to fungal &helped last time.

What kind of environt does Clive live in?
If its warm/humid then fungal outbreaks seem to be more common-although not always.

If Clive is stressed or slightly under condition he's going to be more susceptible to these kind of ailments. Even simple things like changes of bedding type. Repositioning of the hutch/cage . Grief, loneliness &other things such as a hay poke can all be detrimental to some more sensitive natured guineas.
Causing their immune system to not be as effective.

Discuss with the vet which they think it is
&if its confirmed as fungal I would try as Helen105281 suggests try the topical Imaverol solution.
It won't upset his digestive system like the oral version.

Does he have a damp dishcloth smelling breath or is it odourless?
If his breath smells it may be a
sign of oral thrush &hampering his mouth scabs healing?
Are his teeth ok? Sometimes they can dribble when they have teeth problems which would make the sides of his mouth sore etc.
(oh &edit just noticed you mentioned him being checked for thrush.)

Maybe ask for a second opinion from another vet if you're not happy with the current vet?

Healing vibes to Clive xx
Click to expand...
 
Oh thanks so much for going into so much detail about this :-) yes I do feed apples as he really likes those - I'll cut back on them and see if that helps. Good tip for the hibiscrub - ive been diluting it and using a cotton wall ball (which he doesn't like at all!) so perhaps that might be a better way of putting it on. He lives outside so don't think it's humid - unless using the snugglesafe heat pads would have an impact as I use those to stop him and his brother Ben getting cold! I took some tips from other piggy owners and they have an upturned cardboard box in their sleeping compartment which I stuff with hay to keep them warm, the box is also covered in an old feather coat so it's toasty in there! I will try and cut out the apples and have a look for the antifungal you suggest. I was reading a research type paper on Cheilitis and it seems often the cause is unknown, could be fungal or bacterial and apparently even some form of pox! So I'll try a few of the suggestions and see if they help. Thank you for taking the time to write this x
 
ps I will check his breath too, good tip. I don't think his teeth are bothering him as the vet checks them every time she looks at him and they seem fine. In all other aspects he is healthy and lively. He lives with another pig and is around 18 months I think (he's a rescue pig) and this problem hasn't affected Ben his brother at all. You've all given me lots to think about, thank you!
 
I'd try the diet first before taking away the snugglesafes. Wouldn't want them to get cold :(

If he really loves apples perhaps u could try dicing mini mouth sized cubes of apple when its all cleared up opposed to slices or whole?
Might be a bit like eating salt n vinegar Pringles whole &making the sides of your mouth go numb-instead of breaking them up first! Lol!
But only give small amounts occasionally &as a treat instead of a daily fix. If it turns out to be the cause.

I would ask the vet if u could use the hibiscrub more concentrated than before, but still diluted.

X
 
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