Hair loss?

[Chewy6]

Hi everyone,
I am at a loss. I have a pig which i rescued a couple of months back and she keeping coming with the problems.

This is our current situation (Photos attached)

Her symptoms: bald patches on nose, around left eye and one one leg.

she has been to the vet twice now and he also doesn’t really know so we have went through potential causes;

Mites- she has been treated with ivermectin and also her her cage mate too but her cage mate does NOT have any symptoms or mites.

Ringworm- vet rules out ringworm as her cage mate does NOT have it, we don’t have it and by the obvious look of the skin.

Bacterial infection on skin- She is currently on baytril once a day, and a antibacterial solution to clean skin 3 times a day.

I also initially thought it could be her cage mate bullying her. I have yet to catch her in the act but i have heard a few high pitched squeaks during the night once or twice but i dont think enough to cause this.
Or is this a case of her scratching her own hair off?

I should also add she is eating, drinking and acting normally.
If anyone has any advice for us, it is greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Sorry to hear your girl is having issues.

I'm sure our more experienced members will be along to help you soon.


Just to add: you can't rule out ringworm because other pigs don't have it. 1 of my boys had it and the other 6 didn't get it (including the cage mate). Sometimes those with healthier immune systems can fend off such parasites. Ideally a skin scraping should be taken to identify the cause and rule out parasites of this nature.

Sending lots of love and healing vibes for your poor girl

 

[Wiebke]

I agree re. ringworm. In an outbreak, you will never have all piggies come actually down with it.

Since the area has obviously been bathed, it is unfortunately impossible for us to tell what is going on.
I would however consider discussing fungal treatment just to close out that angle with the vet.

PS: Ringworm is just one, if the most common, contagious and aggressive form of a fungal skin infection but there are other milder forms. Lab testing for fungal will only test for ringworm, though.

 

[Toots33]

I agree with this too. We’ve been dealing with ringworm for a year in one of our guinea pigs and are just getting on top of it. She was only 5 months old when we first noticed a scab on her nose and our vet at the time wouldn’t prescribe ringworm treatment because her cage mate didn’t have it and we didn’t have it. We had to change vets in the end and because it took so long to get the right treatment, it’s taken a long time to clear. Her cage mate who is 2 years older never showed any signs of ringworm despite living in the same cage the whole time. We were advised by Simon at the cat and rabbit clinic not to separate them as they been together for so long without our other guinea showing symptoms.

 

[Wiebke]

PS: Here is our ringworm hygiene and pictures guide: Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Merab]

I can’t add any advice but just wanted to offer support.
Hope you get everything sorted out.

 

[Chewy6]

Thanks everyone.
We have been back to vets. He was adamant it wasn't Ringworm as the other have no symptoms. But i asked for a test. So it has been sent to lab- awaiting results.
I'm nearly sure its Fungal as her hair seem to pull out very easy? Read that is a sign?
He give me diluted Imaverol to put on a cotton pad and rub on the affected areas. Also recommended daktarin.
I read about imaverol dips? Not sure about it tho, seems abit extreme.
Do I bath her with anti funagl shampop or just dab on the diluted imaverol?

All advice is appreciated

 

[Chewy6]

I agree re. ringworm. In an outbreak, you will never have all piggies come actually down with it.

Since the area has obviously been bathed, it is unfortunately impossible for us to tell what is going on.
I would however consider discussing fungal treatment just to close out that angle with the vet.

PS: Ringworm is just one, if the most common, contagious and aggressive form of a fungal skin infection but there are other milder forms. Lab testing for fungal will only test for ringworm, though.

It was an antibacterial solution as there was blood and vet said to keep clean. We have got a fungal treatment ongoing following lab results. Thanks again

 

[Chewy6]

Also antifungal shampoo wise. Can i use Nizoral 2%? Thanks