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Ringworm shampoo and treatment

Nicjones99

Nicjones99

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there, I’m after some advice as my beautiful pig Rosie has ringworm and It’s very sore and uncomfortable for her.

The first vet prescribed antibiotic cream as it looked like a lab open wound she had scratched. They said it wasn’t ringworm as it didn’t fluoresce under UV light.

A week later it wasn’t helping so we took her to an exotic specialist who said not all ringworm fluoresces and given my daughters have both had ringworm in the last couple of months said it was ‘highly suspicious’. (It’s not 100% as the she didn’t send off skin for analysis but did check thoroughly for mites under a microscope.)

We’ve been prescribed Malaseb animal shampoo (says to use twice a week) and canestan cream (twice daily). I’ve cleaned and disinfected the cage, washed bedding at high temperature, vacuumed the carpet etc (they are indoor pigs).

I have read the very useful forum notes on this topic. I just have a couple of questions:

- when shampooing, do I need to wash the whole pig or just the wound area and around?
- do I also need to fully was our other pig? (I suspect it came from her in the first place as she arrived in September, but is showing no signs of it now)
- I know it can take a long time to clear up but how soon is it likely to stop itching and being really uncomfortable for her?
- are there any red flags that mean I should take her back to the vet?

She’s usually such a confident pig and is currently hiding herself away, only coming out for food and hating being picked up, even squealing when we apply the cream.

Thanks so much for your help.
 
The best treatment for ringworm is oral treatment
- introfungol.
Shampooing is the next best thing.
Applying topical cream such as caneston is ineffective and not recommended due to being ineffective.

You need to fully shampoo her to get all the areas (this is why creaming is ineffective - as you only apply the caneston to the affected area but the spores are shed from a wider area meaning they continue to be shed and perpetuate the infection).

Incubation is 10-14 days so your other pig is likely to need a bath also to ensure she isn’t harbouring spores.

Are you disinfecting with F10? - it’s the only disinfectant which kills ringworm

Wiebke

Thread 'Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures'

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...
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Thanks for your quick response. I will get some F10 asap. The vet was reluctant to prescribe oral antifungal meds as they can have adverse effects and damage the liver?

- Should I stop using the canesten?
- How quickly wld the oral meds work?

It sounds like I may need to take her back to the vet…
 
Nicjones99 said:
Thanks for your quick response. I will get some F10 asap. The vet was reluctant to prescribe oral antifungal meds as they can have adverse effects and damage the liver?

- Should I stop using the canesten?
- How quickly wld the oral meds work?

It sounds like I may need to take her back to the vet…
Click to expand...

Not all vets will prescribe oral treatment but it is the best method.
Dipping is the next best thing with imaverol being the preferred option l. Malaseb works but can be harsh

Don’t stop using it unless the vet tells you but it isn’t the best method for treating it.

The ringworm guide I linked in shows pictures of the recovery of a guinea pig with ringworm over a few weeks
 
Thank you again. Just a couple more questions:
- Should I continue with what the vet prescribed to see if it has any effect or take her straight back?
-How long should I give it before knowing it isn’t working?
 
I’ve now noticed a pea-sized lump close to where she’s been scratching (below her right ear). I think the vet would have noticed this on Tuesday so just have developed since then. Is it likely this is a cyst related to an infection? Am waiting for a call-back for the vet but just after advice. Is this something that might go away on its own or likely to need surgery? Just trying to prepare myself - I find it so stressful when the pigs are unwell.
 
Lumps can be a multitude of things so without a qualified hands on check I’m afraid it’s impossible to say what it might be
 
Okay, thanks - I appreciate that. Just wondered if it might be a common side effect from ringworm. Am waiting to hear from the vet and hopefully they will be able to find an appt for us.
 
I went back to the vet today and it’s good news and bad… the ringworm is clearing up nicely (the shampoo seems to be working) and the lump under her chin was a harmless cyst that could be lanced - she now has some antibiotics.

Unfortunately though, this vet noticed something the other two didn’t: she has large ovarian cysts (5cm)… she thinks this is why she has been struggling with ringworm but our other piggy hasn’t.

Now I’m really worried about that - I know we’re likely facing an operation to spay her. Is anyone able to advise how much this might cost? I know it depends if it’s the uterus as well, but the vet said it would be £500-800 which seems like such a lot (unfortunately I lost my job earlier this year and my contingency funds are running low). However I will find the money if this means she is likely to fully recover.

She doesn’t have any other symptoms like hair loss, crusty nipples or change of behaviour but I had noticed she has been less active than usual.

The vet said to bring her back in a few weeks for a check but I’m trying to gather as much information as I can in the meantime. Does anyone have any advice to offer? Should I start a new thread for this?
 
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