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What is this? Please help if you’ve seen it before.

mackenziejanetaylor

mackenziejanetaylor

Junior Guinea Pig
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Manchester, England
So my Charles had an X-ray and nose swab test to check why he was sniffing and coughing. X-ray showed some patterns in his lungs (inflammation or fluid etc).

He’s been on Karidox 0.2ml antibiotics AND 0.7ml of dog metacam.

He hasn’t got better but he also hasn’t got worse.

This morning when giving his medicine I noticed this on his chest. I’m really worried, has anyone this seen before?
 

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I would get it checked by the vet. It could be a sign of fungal infection or parasites.
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
I've got a same-day appointment thankfully, it is at 2pm - will keep you updated. Do you reckon this could potentially be related to his respiratory problems at all? Or the medicine he's on?
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I would say it's not related but could be linked. Obviously when unwell, any creatures immune system is suppressed which means the likelihood of succumbing to something like fungal is more likely. Definitely worth checking as it will be much easier to treat at this stage rather than waiting to see what happens. Good luck at the appointment
 
Lady Kelly said:
I would say it's not related but could be linked. Obviously when unwell, any creatures immune system is suppressed which means the likelihood of succumbing to something like fungal is more likely. Definitely worth checking as it will be much easier to treat at this stage rather than waiting to see what happens. Good luck at the appointment
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That makes sense, the poor boy, he's already been to the vet so much :(
Yeah, I hope the vets can sort it out asap, and I am praying he makes it through this. Thank you for your message.
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
That makes sense, the poor boy, he's already been to the vet so much :(
Yeah, I hope the vets can sort it out asap, and I am praying he makes it through this. Thank you for your message.
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It's so hard when they are poorly, they are such small animals but the fact he hasn't got any worse is a very good sign. Is he still eating/drinking well and maintaining his weight?
 
Lady Kelly said:
It's so hard when they are poorly, they are such small animals but the fact he hasn't got any worse is a very good sign. Is he still eating/drinking well and maintaining his weight?
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He has been eating and drinking as good as he has done his whole life! And his behaviour is completely normal, popcorning around. You would not know he was sick if he wasn't sneezing and coughing. It's a shame they hide their illnesses so well. RE his weight is also completely normal and has not been going down, I weigh him twice a day.
I know they can go downhill so quickly, and I hope this doesn't happen with him. He is such a strong boy :)
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
He has been eating and drinking as good as he has done his whole life! And his behaviour is completely normal, popcorning around. You would not know he was sick if he wasn't sneezing and coughing. It's a shame they hide their illnesses so well. RE his weight is also completely normal and has not been going down, I weigh him twice a day.
I know they can go downhill so quickly, and I hope this doesn't happen with him. He is such a strong boy :)
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Well there are so many positives, he is clearly a fighter so I hope this medication does the trick and gets him back to normal quickly.
 
Thank you everyone! The vets have taken a swab test to check for ringworm. Given me the attached cream to apply to it twice a day while we wait for the swab test to return.
They have also given more medicine for his lung issues, hopefully he will be on the mend soon. He is an absolute trooper!
 

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I appreciate that a swab has been taken and that the vet will want to wait for the results, however, fucudin is an antibiotic cream so won’t do anything for a fungal issue (such as ringworm). There are many types of fungal infection, not just ringworm.
Although fucidin may of course help if it a bacterial issue.
Also ringworm should not be treated with creams as it is the least effective thing to do. Creaming ringworm misses a large proportion and still allows spores to shed, thereby risking reinfection.
If the test results show it is ringworm, then make sure you get the right treatment for it - oral introfungol is the best thing to use.

The guide below explains dealing with ringworm
and the stringent hygiene which is needed to stop the spread to yourself, other animals and to clean the environment. Ringworm spores can live for a couple of years. It would be a good idea to invest in some F10 as it is the only disinfectant that does kill ringworm spores.

Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
Thank you everyone! The vets have taken a swab test to check for ringworm. Given me the attached cream to apply to it twice a day while we wait for the swab test to return.
They have also given more medicine for his lung issues, hopefully he will be on the mend soon. He is an absolute trooper!
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I have had that ointment for psoriasis, it has a mild steroid in it. Hope you get the results back soon and your little man is better soon 🤞
 
Piggies&buns said:
I appreciate that a swab has been taken and that the vet will want to wait for the results, however, fucudin is an antibiotic cream so won’t do anything for a fungal issue (such as ringworm). There are many types of fungal infection, not just ringworm.
Although fucidin may of course help if it a bacterial issue.
Also ringworm should not be treated with creams as it is the least effective thing to do. Creaming ringworm misses a large proportion and still allows spores to shed, thereby risking reinfection.
If the test results show it is ringworm, then make sure you get the right treatment for it - oral introfungol is the best thing to use.

The guide below explains dealing with ringworm
and the stringent hygiene which is needed to stop the spread to yourself, other animals and to clean the environment. Ringworm spores can live for a couple of years. It would be a good idea to invest in some F10 as it is the only disinfectant that does kill ringworm spores.

Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Picture
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Thanks for the reply! I think the cream was given in the case that scabbing wasn't caused by ringworm. She did mention an oral treatment if the swab returns positive as ringworm, which is a good sign from her.

She was hesitant to start Charles on the ringworm medicine right away, before knowing what it is, because apparently that's prescribed for a course of several weeks.

She also mentioned that ringworm is typically around the neck and face, Charles' scab is on his chest. She wasn't ruling it out but just something to note.

I'm very curious as to what is causing this strange scabbing on him... I'm keeping his environment very clean every day, and he seems to be in good spirits. Just wish I knew what it is. Hopefully I will get answers soon. :)

Thank you so much for the information about ringworm, I will give that all a read now.
 
Bill & Ted said:
I have had that ointment for psoriasis, it has a mild steroid in it. Hope you get the results back soon and your little man is better soon 🤞
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Yes, I saw on the packaging that people can also use it! I hope it's going to help him and he has nothing too serious, I am just so so worried about him. Thank you for the reply :)
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
Yes, I saw on the packaging that people can also use it! I hope it's going to help him and he has nothing too serious, I am just so so worried about him. Thank you for the reply :)
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It may turn out to be fungal, when piggies aren’t 100% well they can sometimes come down with dormant skin problems, just like us humans
 
Hi

Please start with the hygiene measures now, starting with getting a fungicidal disinfectant (normal ones are just anti-bacterial) - we recommend ordering F10 online as it is proven to kill ringworm spores and usually also comes in handy for an occasional deep clean.
Ringworm is not a potentially fatal problem but it is by far the most aggressive species jumping problem. The biggest and sadly all too often underestimated challenge is to prevent transmission to others and further outbreaks via the thousands of invisibly tiny spores that are being shed and that can stay live for around two years or even slightly over. The location of your spot indicates that it has been picked up via lying on the bedding or cosies.
Oral anti-fungal treatment has the advantage that it reaches all spots of your body, even the tricky ones around the eyes and the ears. What it doesn't reach is any spores sitting loosely in the coat and of course the surroundings. That is where our extra hygiene measures come into play.

Please take the time to read our very practical step-by-step ringworm guide and follow it. In over 15 years on this forum and plenty of ringworm experiences, we have had time to work out all possible angles of transmission and how to counter them. We know that our method really works when you follow the advice and that you should be able to keep it to a one-off episode instead of a long running saga. This especially in view of your guinea pig currently having a lowered immune system which allows opportunists like ringworm a foot in.
Here is the link: Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

All the best.
 
Hi, thank you so much for all of that information, it's greatly appreciated and helpful.

I will order F10 straight away.

One question I have - so I use fleece bedding for him, how will I ensure this is cleaned properly? I usually wash them at 40 degrees in my washing machine and use one washing pod, will that do the job?
 
You need to wash the fleeces at 60 degrees to kill of anything that may be in there. I wash my fleeces and hideys at 60 degrees every week just to be sure and they are fine. Are you using non bio?
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
Hi, thank you so much for all of that information, it's greatly appreciated and helpful.

I will order F10 straight away.

One question I have - so I use fleece bedding for him, how will I ensure this is cleaned properly? I usually wash them at 40 degrees in my washing machine and use one washing pod, will that do the job?
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Hi

Please follow the advice in our ringworm guide for the temperature you need to wash your fabrics and for any wood deep cleaning. We really have it all covered in the guide. :tu:
 
mackenziejanetaylor said:
Thanks for the reply! I think the cream was given in the case that scabbing wasn't caused by ringworm. She did mention an oral treatment if the swab returns positive as ringworm, which is a good sign from her.

She was hesitant to start Charles on the ringworm medicine right away, before knowing what it is, because apparently that's prescribed for a course of several weeks.

She also mentioned that ringworm is typically around the neck and face, Charles' scab is on his chest. She wasn't ruling it out but just something to note.

I'm very curious as to what is causing this strange scabbing on him... I'm keeping his environment very clean every day, and he seems to be in good spirits. Just wish I knew what it is. Hopefully I will get answers soon. :)

Thank you so much for the information about ringworm, I will give that all a read now.
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Not that I hope it is ringworm but not all piggies like to do things the textbook way. I once dealt with a ringworm outbreak. Hadn't a clue it had started until I picked up Daisy and felt something on her chest near to her front leg. Nice big scabby patch of ringworm 😱 so yes there will always be the determined ones who don't want to do it by the book
 
Lady Kelly said:
Not that I hope it is ringworm but not all piggies like to do things the textbook way. I once dealt with a ringworm outbreak. Hadn't a clue it had started until I picked up Daisy and felt something on her chest near to her front leg. Nice big scabby patch of ringworm 😱 so yes there will always be the determined ones who don't want to do it by the book
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That sounds a lot like the place Charles has his! Didn't have any health problems with my boys for two years and now its all suddenly kicked off! They love to throw everything at you at once! :)
 
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