New Pig Has Flaky White Crusty Ear Lobe

[butterfly6118]

We just got a new guinea pig about 3days ago. He is our first and only. He is from a local pet store. When we got him home we noticed that he had a hard dark spot about the size of a small mole at the base of one side of his nose. It doesn't bother him and we can touch it no problem. Doesn't even flinch. But then today we noticed that his one ear had a lot of dry crusty white stuff on it. we can flake it off. He doesn't flinch again when we touch is ear. But beside it he was starting to get white almost pussy looking bumps just at the bottom of his ear. Again no pain. He is eating peeing and pooping. He loves to be held and petted and makes happy noises when we do. We can touch these affected areas and he doesn't flinch or bite. But what we r concerned about is it mites or fungal? Seems the symptoms for both are very alike. We can't really afford a vet. and we live In a very small rural town and the vet doesn't seem to have much knowledge on pig. One friend suggested baby oil to smother the mites ( if that is what it is) and monistat cream to treat fungal. We r at a lose as to what to do with out a vet for help.

 

[PiggySmitten]

Hi would you be able to update your profile to state your location please? You don't need to be very specific - even just UK or US etc will help people with advice. Different meds are available in different places.

I can't help with all the things you are describing but the flaky ear sounds fungal. Please can you post some close up pics of the three things?

On vets fees, I'm afraid having guinea pigs means you are likely to have to visit a vet from time to time so I'd start a savings fund if you can. I'm sorry for you that this has happened so early on. Maybe this time you can persuade the pet shop to pay for the fees? Which pet shop was it?

 

[butterfly6118]

We r in rural Canada. He is getting worse he now has a balding spot behind his ear and around his wye I getting crusty to. Everything here including the vets and the pet shop s closed for rembrance day so we can't do anything till wed now. But I think taking him back to the store is what will happen but we will be contacting the on wed for sure. Can't get pics crappy camera on tablet sorry.

 

[PiggySmitten]

Even crappy ones will help those with the experience on here. In terms of the balding spot behind his ear, that might be the normal bald spot all piggies have. I've added a pic of one of mine here so you can see.

 

[PiggySmitten]

@Wiebke or @helen105281 are you able to help please? It sounds like there are a few things going on here and I don't want to advise on things I've got no experience of like the eyes.

 

[helen105281]

It does sound like it could be fungal, have a look at the photo Piggy Smitten has posted first though to see if it looks like the usual bald spot. Fungal needs to be treated by a vet, please don't put any type of oil on as it will cause the skin to heat up and any potential fungal problem to get worse. It could be Ringworm, and the vet should be able to give you on oral medication (in the US this is called Sporanox but I am not sure if it is available in Canada). With just the white patches on the ears I would not have thought Ringworm but the other symptoms that have developed do make me think it could be. Here is our Ringworm guide, however, please note that the product links are UK specific.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/ringworm-hygiene-and-pictures.115402/

I understand things are not ideal but I really don't recommend taking him back to the store unless their vet treats him and lets you bring him home.

Please also make note of the hygiene precautions you need to take that are mentioned in the guide.

There are other types of fungal too but they rarely show up on a culture that is done by the vet.

I agree with Piggysmitten that even crappy photos will help us to help you.

 

[1GuineaPig1]

It sounds like a fungal, and will only get worse if you leave it. I don't really have any more advice for you, except to take him to the vet. Until then, try to watch him carefully, to see if he is acting abnormal. It sounds like a lot is going on here.
Hope he gets better soon!

 

[Wiebke]

Please have the ear checked by your vet. It can be fungal, but it can be just due to dry skin at the beginning of the heating season. The bald patch is normal, so you do not have to worry about that. It is good that you are a very observant mummy and the problem should be fairly easy to sort.