Specialist Terribly itchy pig! (Advanced mange mites in neglect intake)

[PuppyPigs]

Hi guys,

I've recently taken on two Guinea pig boys who were dumped in a terrible state, both clearly had mites and were underweight, one was not so bad and his fur is growing back quickly and his wounds are all healed. However the little tri colour boy Ernie was in a bad way, open wounds, infected, hair loss and was seizuring multiple times a day.

He's since been in the vets treated with xeno and is due another dose now, on antibiotics for the secondary skin infections and has topical hydrating skin treatments applied to try and soothe him multiple times throughout the day and was wearing a makeshift vest but if much better now and will NOT keep these on anymore... He hasn't seizured in 4 days now which feels like a triumph (I've had them just over a week but feels like so much longer as it's been pretty intense !) however the itching is still pretty bad.. He itches and screams because it hurts and I don't know how to help him further.. I'm not sure if he also has an underlying fungal infection or if the skin is just dry and itchy from hair regrowth? Will be speaking to my vet about a fungal shampoo perhaps?

Any suggestions for safe products to help soothe him would be hugely appreciated! He's not too bad throughout the day but strangely about 3am every morning he gets really upset and itchy for a an hour or 2?!

Have attached pictures for reference, it's mainly the dry area on the right hand side of his back, sadly I can't find the initial pictures of when he came to me but these are hugely improved! They are such lovely boys and already so sweet I hate to see him so upset!

 

[Siikibam]

Wow you were dropped in right at the deep end! I’m afraid we don’t suggest home treatment here. Perhaps take him back to the vet and see what they suggest. Were they prescribed painkiller at all?

Lastly, please don’t put ‘clothes’ on your piggies, makeshift or not.

 

[Swissgreys]

You have done everything right seeing a vet and getting appropriate treatment - Xeno is very effective.
These boys are lucky to have found you.

The fact that the seizing has stopped is an excellent sign, but it can often takes weeks for sore and irritated skin to be fully repaired.
I think it just needs more time.
Keep up with the full course of Xeno and then if he still seems super itchy then ask about a fungal dip from the vet. Given the poor state they came to you in it is always possible that they have both fungal and mites and will ultimately need treatment for both.

You are doing a wonderful job - hang in there and welcome to the Forum

 

[Wiebke]

You have done everything right seeing a vet and getting appropriate treatment - Xeno is very effective.
These boys are lucky to have found you.

The fact that the seizing has stopped is an excellent sign, but it can often takes weeks for sore and irritated skin to be fully repaired.
I think it just needs more time.
Keep up with the full course of Xeno and then if he still seems super itchy then ask about a fungal dip from the vet. Given the poor state they came to you in it is always possible that they have both fungal and mites and will ultimately need treatment for both.

You are doing a wonderful job - hang in there and welcome to the Forum

Hi and welcome

What a steep learning curve for you!

It is great that you are past the seizures now; that is the first big step. Please continue with the xeno; it will take longer to get on top of all the mite reservoirs and for the skin to recover. This is not your average standard mild mange mites attack.

It may be worth to discuss with your vet whether some careful spongeing down (to avoid triggering another seizure) with an anti-fungal disinfectant may be worth trying to ensure that spores and microbes have not got into the open wounds.
Please do not home treat on spec, as much as you are feeling sorry for your poor piggy.
Metacam is unfortunately not working for the discomfort and pain caused by a mites attack.

I am linking in some members with practical experience with advanced severe mange mites and neglect piggies. They are all either exotics vet nurses or experienced rescue fosterers.
@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS) @VickiA @pig in the city

 

[PuppyPigs]

Wow you were dropped in right at the deep end! I’m afraid we don’t suggest home treatment here. Perhaps take him back to the vet and see what they suggest. Were they prescribed painkiller at all?

Lastly, please don’t put ‘clothes’ on your piggies, makeshift or not.

A little, it's been a while since I've had piggies too! They weren't actually so will speak to them about that and see if they will perhaps prescribe some.

I generally wouldn't, was just a bit desperate for something to stop him cutting himself worse when we were travelling but learnt my lesson as didn't work at all! Thanks you for suggestions though!

 

[PuppyPigs]

You have done everything right seeing a vet and getting appropriate treatment - Xeno is very effective.
These boys are lucky to have found you.

The fact that the seizing has stopped is an excellent sign, but it can often takes weeks for sore and irritated skin to be fully repaired.
I think it just needs more time.
Keep up with the full course of Xeno and then if he still seems super itchy then ask about a fungal dip from the vet. Given the poor state they came to you in it is always possible that they have both fungal and mites and will ultimately need treatment for both.

You are doing a wonderful job - hang in there and welcome to the Forum

I did wonder if it was a case of just keeping up with the treatment and holding out until his skin feels better, I'm sure his fur growing back must be really itchy too! Will do thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

PS: I assume that you are based in the UK as you mention xeno? It would help us a lot if you could please add your country and county to location in your account details so we can help you as efficiently as possible. We have members and enquiries from all over the world. You can access your account details by clicking on your username on the top bar in order to make your general location appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice and recommendations to to what is available and relevant where you are straight away. We jump between a lot of different threads in a day, not to mention over any length of time. Thank you!

 

[Betsy]

Well done for taking on such poorly boys.

 

[PuppyPigs]

Hi and welcome

What a steep learning curve for you!

It is great that you are past the seizures now; that is the first big step. Please continue with the xeno; it will take longer to get on top of all the mite reservoirs and for the skin to recover. This is not your average standard mild mange mites attack.

It may be worth to discuss with your vet whether some careful spongeing down (to avoid triggering another seizure) with an anti-fungal disinfectant may be worth trying to ensure that spores and microbes have not got into the open wounds.
Please do not home treat on spec, as much as you are feeling sorry for your poor piggy.
Metacam is unfortunately not working for the discomfort and pain caused by a mites attack.

I am linking in some members with practical experience with advanced severe mange mites and neglect piggies. They are all either exotics vet nurses or experienced rescue fosterers.
@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS) @VickiA @pig in the city

Thank you, I have spoken to the vet and he is going to recommend some things to cover for fungal for me. His skin is much less inflamed now and the wounds are pretty much closed so maybe I'll hang fire on metacam for a bit he's quite comfortable being touched now too.

Appreciate that thank you, I'm a nurse in practice too but to be honest we don't see many Guinea pigs strangely and I haven't seen a case like his before or at least not in a long time and neither has my vet so thought I'd look on here, you've all been helpful if not just for reassurance that so far we are on the right track, I've reached out to some exotic nurse friends too, just trying to gain as much info and tips as possible!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, I have spoken to the vet and he is going to recommend some things to cover for fungal for me. His skin is much less inflamed now and the wounds are pretty much closed so maybe I'll hang fire on metacam for a bit he's quite comfortable being touched now too.

Appreciate that thank you, I'm a nurse in practice too but to be honest we don't see many Guinea pigs strangely and I haven't seen a case like his before or at least not in a long time and neither has my vet so thought I'd look on here, you've all been helpful if not just for reassurance that so far we are on the right track, I've reached out to some exotic nurse friends too, just trying to gain as much info and tips as possible!

The lingering itchiness is typical for a severe mites case, but as I haven't got an personal practical experience, I have linked in members that have for you so you get the support you really need.

It is very common at this stage to bandage a mites piggy in order to prevent them from biting open their itchy skin and trigger more seizures, but it is better you get the practical advice from people who know how to best go about it.
Ideally any treatment, from ivermectin to anti-fungal etc. would be oral rather than topical as much as possible. Can your vet get hold of panomec? I know from my old lady Ffwlbri who suffered a severe outbreak of mange mites in the wake of the record heat spike last summer (overwhelmed immune system) that it has become a lot more difficult with the new stricter regulations.

As we are all doing this in our own free time next to our jobs, our own piggies and private life you may have to wait a bit until the linked people have time to come on and look through their alerts.

 

[Julie M]

I've used f10 shampoo before for the aftermath of ringworm. I made it into a solution with water and applied it with cotton pads to the affected area every 2nd day then rinsed it off with plain water. Hope piggie is better soon.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I've treated guinea pigs, who were in the same condition. Our vet used injectable Panomec, given at 10 day intervals, rather than spot on treatment, as it's far more effective. We also gave a good dose of Metacam. Which Metacam are you giving? Is it the cat or dog version and what dose have you been told to give? I wouldn't add any topical creams to the lesions, as it will just keep them very damp and less likely to heal. I would also avoid putting any dressings over them. It may be that a good antibiotic will be needed too, if it is becoming infected. We have had good results, using the antibiotic Zithromax. However, this may not be needed, as it sounds like there is some improvement. For fungal skin issues, we always use Itrafungol, which is an oral medication.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, good on you for helping these two poor piggies x
Hoping poor Ernie makes a full recovery x

 

[PuppyPigs]

Thank you for all the replies and time taken to respond I've noted them all down and will check them all out and hopefully will make Ernie a bit more comfortable as he recovers.

 

[PuppyPigs]

The lingering itchiness is typical for a severe mites case, but as I haven't got an personal practical experience, I have linked in members that have for you so you get the support you really need.

It is very common at this stage to bandage a mites piggy in order to prevent them from biting open their itchy skin and trigger more seizures, but it is better you get the practical advice from people who know how to best go about it.
Ideally any treatment, from ivermectin to anti-fungal etc. would be oral rather than topical as much as possible. Can your vet get hold of panomec? I know from my old lady Ffwlbri who suffered a severe outbreak of mange mites in the wake of the record heat spike last summer (overwhelmed immune system) that it has become a lot more difficult with the new stricter regulations.

As we are all doing this in our own free time next to our jobs, our own piggies and private life you may have to wait a bit until the linked people have time to come on and look through their alerts.

I'll certainly look into Panomec and see if we can get some, I'll keep some bandage on standby too and bandage if there is no improvement soon. Not a problem at all, thoroughly appreciate the advice.

 

[Wiebke]

I'll certainly look into Panomec and see if we can get some, I'll keep some bandage on standby too and bandage if there is no improvement soon. Not a problem at all, thoroughly appreciate the advice.

The bandaging or sleeves are used when the discomfort is so great that it is causing fitting and itching so bad that a piggy will bite open the irritated skin repeatedly.

 

[pig in the city]

I agree that injectable ivermectin is most effeactive in severe mange mites and it can take some time for the skin irritation to settle completely. Its sounds as if you are definitely on the right track. Well done for helping these piggies

 

[VickiA]

Wow, just catching up with your thread. I can also recommend the injections Xeno or panomec (usually works out slightly cheaper than Xeno). Poor little chap. It does sound like you have things under control. It’s just going to take time, I’m afraid.

 

[PuppyPigs]

This feels like forever since I made this thread but I realised I never gave an update! The boys have made a complete recovery and are absolute characters! Wanted to thank everyone for advice or just reassuring messages to say we were on the right track!

Happy to say coats grew back beautifully and if I do say so think they're pretty handsome! Thanks guys!

 

[Siikibam]

Glad to hear it

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the update! They have grown into gorgeous lads!

 

[VickiA]

What a lovely update. And what handsome piggies with glossy coats. Hope to see more of these lovelies on the forum.

 

[Bill & Ted]

You have done such a fantastic job there, your little fellas are so handsome

 

[munchmonster]

They are gorgeous! Well done for helping them and giving them a good life after everything they must have been through. I do love a happy ending xx