Ringworm question - bathing

[chelgan]

Hi all! We recently learned that one of our piggies has ringworm, likely caught from our newer pig who isn’t showing signs. The vet prescribed oral antifungal meds, which are due to be delivered today. She also didn’t give any instructions for other measures to eliminate ringworm spores.

I ended up doing a virtual visit with a second vet to get a prescription for his cage mate in order to treat them at the same time, as I couldn’t get into the first vet quickly.

Vet #1 said to use bleach to clean the cage, however I prefer not to use bleach so I asked vet #2 and he said to once a week use Chlorhexidine, let soak for 20 minutes and rinse off. I am now seeing mixed info online, both that chlorhexidine IS effective at killing ringworm, and that it’s NOT effective on its own, so I’m not sure if anyone has experience using it to clean cages and hard surfaces but would appreciate any info you can provide!

Secondly, I asked vet #2 if I need to bathe them during treatment to get rid of the spores but he said since they are on oral they shouldn’t need to be bathed. However, everything I see online says to bathe them at least twice during treatment. I’m not sure which way to go here, because bathing them will be a huge traumatic ordeal but I want to make sure all the ringworm is gone.

I’m also unsure because generally I would trust a medical professional over the internet, however these days (in the US at least) it seems everyone is just out to make money. So they (yes, even doctors) don’t care about actually resolving a problem, because in this case, if it comes back that just means more money in their pocket when I have to get it treated again. I hate to be that way but it’s just the current reality. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[sport_billy]

I'd recommend F10 disinfectant for cleaning cage, we used it whenever we had fungal outbreaks.

I would expect the oral anti fungal will do the job fine without bathing and it will get into their system.

 

[Piggies&buns]

F10 is the recommended disinfectant to use.

I think our forum guide recommends to give a bath at the end of oral treatment but I can’t recall . I’ll add it in for you to read

Thread 'Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures'

Jun 12, 2014

1 What is ringworm and how is it treated?
- Ringworm facts
- Available treatments (UK-US-worldwide available products)
- Your customer rights with new guinea pigs
2 Ringworm hygiene during and at the end of treatment
- When to quarantine
- Recommended disinfectants (UK-US-worldwide available brands)
- Disinfection (plastic/hard surfaces, fabrics, wood/toys)
3 Ringworm hygiene/prevention and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

 

[chelgan]

F10 is the recommended disinfectant to use.

I think our forum guide recommends to give a bath at the end of oral treatment but I can’t recall . I’ll add it in for you to read

Thread 'Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures'

Jun 12, 2014

1 What is ringworm and how is it treated?
- Ringworm facts
- Available treatments (UK-US-worldwide available products)
- Your customer rights with new guinea pigs
2 Ringworm hygiene during and at the end of treatment
- When to quarantine
- Recommended disinfectants (UK-US-worldwide available brands)
- Disinfection (plastic/hard surfaces, fabrics, wood/toys)
3 Ringworm hygiene/prevention and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

Thank you! I was using this guide, that’s where I got the bath info-it actually says to bathe twice- which is why I was asking since the vet said it’s not necessary. So confusing!

 

[chelgan]

Since my piggies have never had a bath before and I don’t think they’d respond well to one, would it be ok to use some sort of a leave-on spray at the end of treatment to kill off any spores that may still be in their fur?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid I don’t know whether a leave in spray would actually work and I also don’t know of have any leave in spray which would be useful/safe here. The idea of the bath is that it washes the spores away.
To be honest I would just brave the bath - only one of mine has ever had to have a bath over the duration of the past 7 years and he was actually fine with it even though I didn’t think he would be!

 

[chelgan]

Hmm ok thanks! Any tips on bathing? My older piggy is a bit of a grump when it comes to being handled-he fights it a LOT-doesn’t even like being petted. (He almost jumped off the exam table when we took him to the vet!) And the younger one is starting puberty so he’s getting a bit fussy, and usually follows the lead of whatever the older one does so I don’t see baths going very smoothly. Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[piggieminder]

Bathing (including cleaning grease glands)

I have linked the forum bathing guide for you.

I use two shallow cat litter trays (one for washing, one for rinsing) in the bath, they are contained within the bath and can't do blind jumps off anything. I line the bottom of the bath with old towels so if they jump out of the tray they won't slip.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

My vet has always said no bath is needed when using the oral medication, intrafungol.

 

[chelgan]

Thank you both for the info! My piggies are on oral Terbinafine (not sure if that makes a difference?) One vet didn’t say if they needed a bath or not, the other said not necessary since they are on oral but I’m just trying to cover all my bases because I’m exceptionally over the top with most things lol.