3 Questions for you

[caroline]

I have three questions for you regarding various piggies.

(1) My female Maggie is just over a year old - when she was born she had a little strip on the end of her nose - like a few white hairs, same as her sister. Last week on closer inspection I noticed that it has turned from a little line of white hairs to what maybe a fungal problem. I have attached a photo and wondered what everyelse thought and what I should do or use on this. They are like little spores on her nose.






Question (2) I have another female piggie Blossom, a Merino who has been in with my boy Teddy for just over a month (for breeding). I got her out the other day and noticed she was losing a lot of hair on one side of her and on her shoulders, She seems ok on the otherside. I have had a good look and cannot see anything moving etc. lice. Could this be a hormonal problem if she is pregnant, obviously she is not showing yet. I would like to know the best way to treat if any as she could be pregnant.Have parted her hair on top so you can see what I mean.







Lastly
One of my babies piggies keeps scratching, had a look cant see anying, he has a few little scabs on him, not very big, wondered if this is lice etc. and whether he can have anything for it.

Many thanks in advance for your advices

[delukem]

Hi Caroline - I have heard of piggies getting a fungal infection on the end of their noses, but it is something that I thankfully have never had. I would have thought that you could use something like Caneston cream (Clotrimazole is the same but cheaper). However there may be someone on here that has had this and will be more help to you

I would hazzard a guess that part of the problem with the sow that has lost her hair is stress. Sometimes when they change homes they can become very stressed no matter how much we help them, but it could also be hormonal as sometimes pregnant and lactating sows get quite a lot of bald patches. If they are not sore and itchy then there isn't a lot you can do and we find that the hair does return eventually.

As far as your baby piggy goes I would certainly Ivermec him and if it is mites he will be less itchy in a few days. If the scabs have a white film over and around the cuts then it is llikely to be fungal, bu it doesn't sound like that to me. The use of Sudacrem which is used to soothe babies sore bottoms, is always very useful to keep in as it can be used quite safely on guinespigs and soon brings down any inflammation to the skin and takes the sting out of it for them.

Hope this helps

[caroline]

Thanks I have some aloe vera cream which I got from a pet shop which I have been using on my baby boy.

Blossom skin just looks red so I was thinking it could be hormonal but may be it is a bit of stress too. I have had her for about 5 months so she is not new here.

As for Maggie may be a trip to the vet for her.

[cozmo]

Aaawww poor piggies! I agree, I think Maggie needs a vets trip. Maybe you could talk to the vet about the other problems when you take Maggie.

[cavymaniac]

Regarding the first piggy Maggie, I've had two piggies who have had the same problem. I took them to see our rodentologist who said they had fungal polyps and she carefully removed them. I would suggest that you see your vet about it.

With the second piggy Blossom.....I know that piggies who have had babies can suffer from alopecia so it could be a hormonal problem.

As for the baby it does sound like it could be mites.

Anyway, good luck with all three piggies and I hope you can get them sorted out.