A New Guinea Pig Mother: Tons of Health questions?

[triskett]

Attachment DeletedI got my little man from a pet shop. 
He is very curious, alert, doesn't act in pain. EATS EATS EATS! HA! Uses the bathroom just fine!
I could be worried because I don't know what to expect!
He seems perfectly healthy..
However...
His ears seem dry/ flaky? I mean He doesn't scratch at them or mess with them. They don't bother him whatsoever!
As a new owner I don't know a thing about him. I will upload pictures to help my case
He is an abyssinian guinea pig, male. He was quite small when I got him..a baby! He has grown much since then. Not a year old.. they said I'm not sure how many months. So, he could be just growing up and I am noticing the changes?
So flaky/ dry ears. Some flakes in his fur but he is so much pretty fur. Its not REALLY BAD occasional flake. 
A few bumps in there ..i see scratching sometimes but not excessive. I looked at the bumps, inspected his fur. No lice or creepy crawlies that I can see.
I think the few bumps are from his long nails cutting where he scratches because he cuts me up! 
They are few and far between...
His nails are SO LONG I am in the process of trying to trim them. Because he can scratch me up pretty good when he is trying to climb and snuggle into my hair and everything.
He loves to come out, he loves to eat, he loves lap time, and attention.
He doesn't act sick!
But there are these few things I've mentioned.

So yes the ears worry me. The little dandriff doesn't... only a few flakes here and there.
The worst worry I have is his feet!
They have been like this since I got him
One seems...bare in fur! the others... they kind of look dry and flaky?
maybe its from shedding baby hair to adult hair? I will show plenty of pictures in a few.
Anyone think he sounds normal. Or looks normal?
OH I've seen a few eye crusties nothing bad. Ive only seen it like twice and maybe its been a month I've had him??
Also, once SIDE only ONE SIDE had a little crust on his nose. Not both....not bad looking.
I will upload some pictures & HOPEFULLY someone can help me Sincerely, new Piggie Momma!

[Kayleigh]

Hello and welcome.

I always advise owners to treat their new pigs with ivermectin if they havent alrbeeady been treated.

Dry flaky skin could just be skin dirt and him being in need of a bath.

If hes loosing hair around his eyes, ears or nose and its scabby looking i would treat for fungal too (imaverol dip is great)

Snip the claws if they are too long, but remember not to clip the quick (bloodline)

Kayleigh

[triskett]

Where could I get ivermectin.
I looked inside his ears which turned out to be covered in white crust.
Needless to say I wasn't over reacting he is sick
So otherwise I didn't think it was too serious.
But he must have a fungal infection one ear is fine inside all black like his little floppy ears.
The other crusted in white which was sensative to touch. He started to get nippy with me touching it.
Later I watched him scratch the area and chew on his nails which I thought is bad to ingest!
I decided to bite the bullet and look for a vet. I have very little money, but it has spread to me. I have fungus on me now as well from the little guy.
I have to treat so I browsed around
Luckily Petsmart has a pet hospital and a reasonable price 39.95 for the initial visit plus the costs of treatment.
I will try this route and hope and pray everything works out in my favor cheaply.
Thank you for your advice Kayleigh.
Do you know any places/links I could use to buy imaverol dip/ ivermectin?
I am still taking him to the vet his first vet visit and I've barely had him! YIKES!
I love him so much Ive gotten so attached since I adopted him!
Man pet shops are a nightmare...

[stscavies]

I would contact the store he came from as if he is contagious to you then any other piggies in that store will also have this issue. Since you mentioned Petsmart I assume your in the USA. Small furry Vets are not in large amounts in the USA. You can purchase Ivermectin at Tractor Supply Company stores but you'll need to consult someone with knowledge of the dosage as if too much is given it could cause death. You also have to get the Ivermectin made for Swine and Sheep and not the Plus version of Ivermectin. I use it to treat my Hamsters for Rodent mites but have to dilute it with osmosis water 1 part Ivermectin to 9 parts water. Then I have to use an Insuline syringe and give very very small doses on the skin of the Hamster being treated.

You also have to do extreme cage cleaning if it turns out to be fungal or parasites. to avoid a reinfestation. I pray your piggie and you are fine and he returns to good health quickly.

[petlover2011]

Our guinea pig Jerry has never had any health issues. We got him 3 yrs ago. I also pray that you and your piggy are fine. This is the best site get information & advice on guinea pigs. Good luck & Happy Easter to everyone.

[triskett]

Thank you everyone. We went to the doctor he has a fungal infection. They gave me liquid to put on and i rubbed it on his ears and feet. Hopefully it helps. They said feed him after so he won't lick. I hope he didn't....should I be watching for any behavior if he were to try to clean it off? I dont want him ingesting.. I feel so bad for my baby. I wish to make him comfortable and help him through this!

[triskett]

Oh I forgot to mention I do try to clean frequently his cage isn't wood so its plastic and I clean with a vinegar and part water solution. I change out the bedding... So hopefully once its treated it won't happen again/ come back.
Thanks for your prayers! I appreciate & welcome them... We need them. He actually gave me ring worm so we are both trying to recover. He gets to go back to the doctor in two weeks to make sure its working and disappearing. So far in his cage he has been active so I'm trying not to worry... Even though I'm freaking out!
Although he has a fleece type bedding.. if I wash it and keep washing it will it be okay?
I don't want to bleach it...but I don't want to through it out he loves it!
Suggestions?

[Orlaith]

I throw about half a capful of bleach in with my fleeces along with the detergent and it hasn't done any harm to the fleeces or the piggies so go for it!

[triskett]

Perfect! I will bleach! Also, as I am treating him should I be cleaning his cage everyday? Or normal..with spot cleaning. I don't want it to stick around. Also his fur is so GREASY with that stuff! Poor thing I want to bath but it will wash the medicine off What to do?

[Kayleigh]

What stuff did the vets give you?

Kayleigh

[triskett]

miconazole 1% its like a liquid.

[Kayleigh]

Sounds similar to imaverol dip. Do you apply to the infected areas or dilute and dip the pig?

Is it looking any better?

Kayleigh
Sent from my GT-I9300 using proboards

[triskett]

I don't dilute it seems already diluted its a "lotion" But actual waterey, you know? I apply to infected areas.
I think it is... I'm really not too sure