I really need advice

[KatherineAlice]

Hi everyone,

I really need advice as I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and worried.

I bought two female Guinea pigs (6 weeks old) from a woman who had had a litter. I chose her instead of a pet store as I saw the baby Guinea pigs were handled by her kids regularly and I thought it’s be good to get two Guinea pigs who have had some human interaction before so they wouldn’t feel as nervous and stressed.

Anyway, the night I got home, I noticed the little grey female had a scab on her nose and inside her ear was scabbed too. I waited till morning to look more closely and I noticed they both had scabs around the nose, inside the ear and one had a bald patch around the eye. I was so upset as I knew this meant one thing… ringworm!

I contacted the lady and sent her pictures and she was very dismissive and told me to give them back to her as she would handle it. I explained that I had an appointment at 9 to take them as I wanted them to get treated as soon as possible and the woman was so against me going to the vets. Because of her behaviour, I didn’t want to give the Guinea pigs back as I had an inkling that she wouldn’t get them sorted and would just try to sell them on to someone else. I’m a massive animal lover and while it’d have been easier to give them back, get my money and buy two more that were healthy, I didn’t want to give up on them and I wanted to help.

They have had to have some tests to confirm whether they have mites or ringworm, but I have topical treatment to put on twice a day for two weeks while I await the lab results and they’ve been treated for mites too.

My advice to you guys is…obviously I’m having to wear gloves and be extra precautious, but these are just two babies that don’t know me. I would like advice on how I can interact and bond with them because I don’t want them to associate me with being pulled around and creamed. I want them to feel as comfortable as they can while they recover.

It’s been a bit of a tough starter journey for us all really and expensive, but I just wanted to make sure they got better. With the way they were, this ringworm should have been detected by the woman and she didn’t care, so there was no way I could ever allow myself to hand over two innocent baby piggies over to someone who’s clearly just overbreeding for profit. I did make her give my money back though although it didn’t touch the sides of what I’ve had to spend!

 

[Sweet Potato]

Well done you're doing a really lovely thing for these piggies. My advice is don't worry Guinea pigs tend not to hold grudges and once the treatment is over you'll be able to bond with them just fine. Just spend time sitting by the cage, try and hand feed veggies, assert yourself as bringer of nice things like veggies and forrage and focus on getting them back to full health.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

i agree with Sweet Potato though, they won’t bear grudges. One of my boys got haypoke and at that point I’d only had them for six weeks. He didn’t like being handled (in fact it took him a year and a half longer to even take food from me) but he doesn’t remember me having to treat him when he was still scared. Please don’t worry about this part of it.

What is important is that the ringworm is dealt with properly. Creaming Unfortunately is not the recommended method of treatment as it doesn’t catch the spores in the wider area. The guide below details how to deal with ringworm including the essential hygiene and cage hygiene etc. Please do try to get hold of some F10 to clean the cage as it is the most effective cleaner and does kill ringworm. Spores can live in the environment for years so getting it dealt with properly first time can make reinfection much less likely

Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

 

[KatherineAlice]

Well done you're doing a really lovely thing for these piggies. My advice is don't worry Guinea pigs tend not to hold grudges and once the treatment is over you'll be able to bond with them just fine. Just spend time sitting by the cage, try and hand feed veggies, assert yourself as bringer of nice things like veggies and forrage and focus on getting them back to full health.

Thank you so much <3

 

[KatherineAlice]

I’m sorry to hear this.

i agree with Sweet Potato though, they won’t bear grudges. One of my boys got haypoke and at that point I’d only had them for six weeks. He didn’t like being handled (in fact it took him a year and a half longer to even take food from me) but he doesn’t remember me having to treat him when he was still scared. Please don’t worry about this part of it.

What is important is that the ringworm is dealt with properly. Creaming Unfortunately is not the recommended method of treatment as it doesn’t catch the spores in the wider area. The guide below details how to deal with ringworm including the essential hygiene and cage hygiene etc. Please do try to get hold of some F10 to clean the cage as it is the most effective cleaner and does kill ringworm. Spores can live in the environment for years so getting it dealt with properly first time can make reinfection much less likely

Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

Thank you. I’m going to get the F10 for sure! I’m using the topical treatment the vet prescribed for the two weeks as well as using nizoral. The vet didn’t want to prescribe any oral medication until the results came back just in case it was just mites. But I was planning on bathing them whole with it first, and then in 4 days, just put the nizoral on the infected areas so they don’t have to have another bath.

It’s just so horrible having to use gloves and not being able to let them out. I feel so sorry for them

 

[Roselina]

Well done for keeping those piggies. They’ll live their best lives with you and your family.
You’ve had great advice from Piggies&buns and the guides on here are great.
Piggies will love you for a pea flake and fresh veg and will soon forget all the nasty stuff you have to do.
What have you called them ? Any photos ? We love pigtures

 

[KatherineAlice]

Well done for keeping those piggies. They’ll live their best lives with you and your family.
You’ve had great advice from Piggies&buns and the guides on here are great.
Piggies will love you for a pea flake and fresh veg and will soon forget all the nasty stuff you have to do.
What have you called them ? Any photos ? We love pigtures

Awwh thank you so much. Honestly it means so much reading that and being able to speak to other guinea pig owners too as it makes me feel less alone.

It's just been horrible really because as I said, it would have been so much easier and cheaper to have given them back, but I really want them to be healthy and have a good life. I didn't want to leave them left untreated any longer than they had to. It's just a long process waiting for the lab results now!

I've decided to name them Muffin & Cheesecake. Muffin is the dark haired one and Cheesecake is the lighter one <3

 

[Roselina]

Oh my what gorgeous piggies ! I love their names too !
You’ll find lots of lovely people on here to offer advice and support you. It’s very tough having two poorly piggies.
Treating them both and their home should have it sorted very soon.

 

[KatherineAlice]

Oh my what gorgeous piggies ! I love their names too !
You’ll find lots of lovely people on here to offer advice and support you. It’s very tough having two poorly piggies.
Treating them both and their home should have it sorted very soon.

Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing them really healthy and happy. It'll make me feel proud too!

Also, do you know if female guinea pigs are friendly and bond well with owners? I've only ever had male guinea pigs in the past!

 

[Siikibam]

They’re beautiful. I’m sorry you’ve gotten off to ownership on such a shaky footing.

Unfortunately getting from a private person isn’t always better than a pet shop. I would highly recommend you double check that they are in fact both sows. If she didn’t see they had the beginnings of the patches and was that dismissive then I would worry whether she knows how to sex them.

Illustrated Sexing Guide

Is your chosen vet experienced in treating guinea pigs? If you are unsure, have a look at the recommended vet list I’ve linked below.

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

With regards bonding, it depends on the piggy rather than whether they’re a sow or boar. It also depends on what you mean when you say they bond with you. They’re not really cuddly pets (the majority of them) and it’s better to interact with them on their own terms.

 

[Roselina]

Yes they will bond , and it’s best to let them do it their way.
Food is always a good help and a gentle brush.
Weighing them weekly is very important to judge their health. As Piggies are very good at hiding illness so a maintained weight is very good

 

[KatherineAlice]

They’re beautiful. I’m sorry you’ve gotten off to ownership on such a shaky footing.

Unfortunately getting from a private person isn’t always better than a pet shop. I would highly recommend you double check that they are in fact both sows. If she didn’t see they had the beginnings of the patches and was that dismissive then I would worry whether she knows how to sex them.

Illustrated Sexing Guide

Is your chosen vet experienced in treating guinea pigs? If you are unsure, have a look at the recommended vet list I’ve linked below.

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

With regards bonding, it depends on the piggy rather than whether they’re a sow or boar. It also depends on what you mean when you say they bond with you. They’re not really cuddly pets (the majority of them) and it’s better to interact with them on their own terms.

I know, it's hard isn't it really because pet shops and breeders can both be equally as neglecting.

With regards to the sexing, I did think this! However, I did remember seeing one with nipples (sorry I don't know if that's the right term).

My vet was lovely to be fair, she said she does treat guinea pigs, but hasn't ever had the experience of seeing guinea pigs as young as mine as they are only 6 weeks. Her advice was good, she took a sample of their skin and the scabs which will go to a lab. I've got to wait 2 weeks for the lab to come back with the results before the vet prescribes anything oral as she is leaning towards them just having mites and not ringworm, but she doesn't want to rule it out either. In the meantime she prescribed a topical treatment and gave a first dose of mite treatment just to make sure all areas are covered while waiting for the results. Once we have the results, she'll be able to give me the more appropriate treatment as she'll know specifically what we're dealing with. Regardless, I've got to go back in 2 weeks time, then in 4 weeks and then in another 2 weeks to make sure they're recovering all okay.

Thank you for sending me all the above information. That's really useful!

In terms of bonding, I know they're not very cuddly creatures, but I just mean in terms of them liking you and tolerating your company really haha!

 

[Siikibam]

Boars have nipples as well. I would really learn to see them as it’s a useful skill to have.

If they take food from your hand then you know they trust you. If they don’t run and hide when you’re passing or sitting next to the cage then that’s also a good sign. Just be aware it takes longer for some than others.

 

[KatherineAlice]

Boars have nipples as well. I would really learn to see them as it’s a useful skill to have.

If they take food from your hand then you know they trust you. If they don’t run and hide when you’re passing or sitting next to the cage then that’s also a good sign. Just be aware it takes longer for some than others.

Yeah I definitely want to take a look because I thought exactly the same thing as you. If she couldn't notice the obvious patches around their face, then would she really take the time to bother sexing them properly?

Thank you so much for all your help

 

[Sweet Potato]

Awwh thank you so much. Honestly it means so much reading that and being able to speak to other guinea pig owners too as it makes me feel less alone.

It's just been horrible really because as I said, it would have been so much easier and cheaper to have given them back, but I really want them to be healthy and have a good life. I didn't want to leave them left untreated any longer than they had to. It's just a long process waiting for the lab results now!

I've decided to name them Muffin & Cheesecake. Muffin is the dark haired one and Cheesecake is the lighter one <3 View attachment 208801

They're so cute. I love their hair styles

 

[Roselina]

I think Muffin and cheesecake have landed on their paws with you ! Lucky piggies

 

[flowerfairy]

Are they living separately? They really do look gorgeous. I hope you get the ring worm sorted. What a rotton previous owner.

 

[Merab]

What gorgeous piggies and it sounds as if they’ve really landed on their paws with you.
As said, they won’t bear a grudge.
When I rescued Micah he was a pathetic bullied scrap of piggy so the first thing I did was have him neutered.
Poor boy developed a scrotal abscess so he ended up with 2 ops in a week, followed by medication and syringe feeding.
He is now a healthy, handsome hunk who is full of character.

Hope your piggies recover quickly

Welcome to the forum

 

[KatherineAlice]

Are they living separately? They really do look gorgeous. I hope you get the ring worm sorted. What a rotton previous owner.

No, they’re living together as they were together when I bought them and the vet said they can stay together as they’re both undergoing treatment.

And thank you. I am seeing improvement. Hairs are starting to grow back on infected areas now which is good news! Xx

 

[KatherineAlice]

What gorgeous piggies and it sounds as if they’ve really landed on their paws with you.
As said, they won’t bear a grudge.
When I rescued Micah he was a pathetic bullied scrap of piggy so the first thing I did was have him neutered.
Poor boy developed a scrotal abscess so he ended up with 2 ops in a week, followed by medication and syringe feeding.
He is now a healthy, handsome hunk who is full of character.

Hope your piggies recover quickly

Welcome to the forum

Awh thank you ever so much.

I’m sorry to hear all that your piggy went through! That sounds awful really glad to hear he is now very healthy and happy! I’m really looking forward to seeing the transition with these two. I know I’ve just got to be patient and the this time of precaution will have all been worth it once I get to finally hold them!