worried about mites or ringworm?

[cookieandbecky]

HELP! I have an elder piggy Becky who's turning 8 this year. She's doing amazing for her age, however just recently she has lost a lot of hair on her stomach and hind legs where you can see her skin and I'm super worried... A few months ago she lost a lot of weight, but I just assumed it was because she was getting older and just eating less. I catch her itching herself a lot in those areas where small scabs are starting to form, and I feel so bad to see her so uncomfortable. She's eating and pooping normally. Sometimes when she sleeps her coat gets a little rough and the fur on her head stands up to be fluffy. I tried looking up her symptoms online and I'm guessing it's most likely a fungal infection or mites (unless theres other things I missed). I've checked for lice and I didn't seem to find any, but I did find some dandruff all over. I saw that fungal infections like ringworm usually start with lesions on the face, but Becky's face is completely fine. Another reason why I'm suspecting it might be a fungal infection is because Becky sometimes lays in a warm and damp area of the cage, where fungus likes to grow. Sometimes we are busy and don't get the chance to clean their cage all the time and usually put it off for a day at most. Anyway, from what I've read mites seem super painful and hard for the piggies to go through, but because Becky has been eating and drinking normally I'm not 100% sure it's mites either. We're planning to go to the vet asap. We also have another piggy living with Becky, and she's completely normal except for some dandruff. Please let me know if you have any idea of what could be infecting Becky, and any advice for what could be done to treat it!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Losing hair on the stomach is not typical for mites or fungal. if she is sitting in damp conditions then it could be related to that.

She needs to see a vet for diagnosis.

Older, less mobile piggies need their cage cleaning more often - a few times a day. Using Vetbed in smaller squares in commonly used areas and resting spots can help as they can be removed and replaced more easily and more often to ensure bedding is always kept dry and clean.
Arthritis can set in so it’s a good idea to have that checked as well in case she needs daily painkillers to ease any discomfort.

If she is eating less and losing weight then you may need to step in and help her with some top up feeds. Make sure you keep up with the routine weight checks (weekly) but perhaps weigh her more often is you are at all concerned about her hay intake

 

[cookieandbecky]

Thank you so much! I totally forgot to mention that she has an URI and started taking enrofloxacin near about the same time she started losing hair and is currently on it. Would the URI have anything to do with it? Also, what are cavies usually treated with to heal scabs and grow back their coat if it isn't mites or fungal? anything to recommend to lessen the itch? thanks a bunch

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you so much! I totally forgot to mention that she has an URI and started taking enrofloxacin near about the same time she started losing hair and is currently on it. Would the URI have anything to do with it? Also, what are cavies usually treated with to heal scabs and grow back their coat if it isn't mites or fungal? anything to recommend to lessen the itch? thanks a bunch

A URI and medication would not cause he to lose her hair directly but if she is feeling unwell then reluctance to move about as much might cause urine scald which could cause sore skin and scabs. These are only guesses - the vet needs to make a diagnosis.

We cannot tell you what medication might be needed - only a vet can diagnose the issue and determine the correct treatment.
If she does not have mites or a fungal infection, then the vet would need to determine what might be causing her issues and suggest an appropriate course of action.
Please don’t put any product on her without consulting a vet - it could hide evidence a vet needs to make a diagnose and could make matters worse. We never recommend any home treatments.

All you can do while you wait for the vet is basic care particularly as she has a URI. Making sure you switch from the routine lifelong weekly weight checks and instead weigh her once a day (in the morning) so you can more closely monitor hay intake - the difficulty breathing associated with a URI can mean they stop eating enough hay, which you cannot tell by simply watching them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Loss of hair on the belly is generally down to loss of mobility and taking the weight off the aching legs/lying in urine but it could also be ovarian cysts. Loss of hair on the legs is usually an indication of arthritis pain in elderly.

I would recommend to have her vet checked for arthritis (usually managed by fairly high dosages of metacam and by glucosamine based joint supplements although it is a progressive issue) and potential large ovarian cysts.

You may find our care collection for older guinea pigs helpful, which includes some practical care tips for guinea pigs with decreased mobility in order to minimise the risk of secondary issues:
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Guinea Lynx :: Hair Loss