HELP ME!- all six of them have this!

[1aicha]

While combing Caramel, I noticed some flaky stuff on the top of her head. Inspecting her more, I found that behind her ears it was like someone having psoriasis!!
I then proceeded to inspect each girl: ALL SIX OF THEM have it. just behind the ears, some a tad over the top of their head. What is it!!!:(
I read on the medical at GL and it gave me an idea but I want to know what you guys are thinking. I am in panic mode here!!!

[klynne]

Most likely mites, which triggered a secondary bacterial and/or fungal infection of the skin.

Poor kiddos.

I'd go with the standard mite treatments, then follow up with Nizoral, maybe Monistat, too. Ab's only if needed, then.

[1aicha]

Abs? What is that? Monistat cream, like for human fungal infection? would canestan do? They got their second dose this week of ivermectin, as a precaution. But now, looks like it IS necessary!
I could cry my heart out!! How come I didn't see that!
I have a wooden house among their hideaways; should I get rid of it?
Anything I should do?

[GuineaPinny]

I don't know that it would be related to what's going on, but I've read that wooden houses can be bacteria traps if not cleaned regularly. Might be a good idea (not a GP expert).

[Tracis]

I'm sorry that your girls are going through this.

Ab's (Abs) is shorthand for Antibiotics.

What are the ingrediants for Canestan?

[1aicha]

in Canestan, the main active ingredient is clotrimazole( 1%); says on the tube it is antifungal. The pharmacy sells it on the same shelves as monistat for fungal infection ( usually yeast infection that you get because you take antibiotics).
I don,t know what more I can do and it kills me to know they could have had that since a long time and I did not even noticed!!!!!
Shall I take them all to the vet and ask for antibiotics?????

[Tracis]

I'm not an expect, however I'm not sure that Canestan is the same as Monistat. Monistat contains the active ingredient Miconazole nitrate.

http://www.guinealynx.info/antifungal_agents.html#cream

I do not know if a vet would prescribe an antibiotic for mites/fungus, unless there was some serious scratching or infection also present.

Do not blame yourself. Chances are that they have not had this very long, or you would have noticed sooner.

Hopefully there will be more advice soon.

[1aicha]

I will not be able to sleep. My God! Can this be transmitted to the cats and the dog????
if the cavies just had a dose of ivermectin, can they have revolution also???

[Tracis]

From what I understand, if this is a case of "typical guinea pig" mites, then the cats and the dog should be fine. If you want to be extra-careful, follow quarantine procedures. Use one apron or shirt while handling the guinea pigs, and remove it before touching the cats or the dog. Extra hand-washing is always good.

If I were you, I would do as Klynne suggested and try the Nizoral shampoo, along with continuing their regular ivermectin doses.

I do not know if you can use Revolution and Ivermectin at the same time.

Other experts will have more advice for you soon.

You will need your rest, if you plan to bathe six pretty guinea pigs!

[1aicha]

Shall I let them dry by themselves? isn't the dryer going to add to the dryness of their skin? It is about 20 degrees where the cage is. Could they run a risk of getting cold? or better dry them then??? I wonder if I should not begin now!!!!!!

[Tracis]

At this time of year, I would not let them dry by themselves. It is very chilly, and we all know how delicate guinea pigs can be.

Leave the Nizoral on for a little bit after you've lathered the guinea pig. Nizoral will also soothe dry skin, I believe.

[Topaz]

"I will not be able to sleep. My God! Can this be transmitted to the cats and the dog????"

1aicha, breeeeeathe.....c'mon. Breathe in, breath out.

There, don't you feel better?

Stop stressing so much. These things happen. You are not a bad mommy.

From what I've heard and read, guinea pig mites are species specific. So you wouldn't have to worry about that.

Fungal could be another story, but just take precautions to keep them away from each other if that's the case.

Just do like others have said. Start with the Nizoral bath, then continue on with your Ivermectin treatment.

Now, this is just me and I don't know if I should be recommending this without research to back it, BUT....

I love vitamin E oil and have put it on my pigs dry looking ears from time to time. Not a lot, just a dab or two rubbed in. I also use it on my human kids and swear by it for certain "dry/itchy skin" issues. Maybe you could try a little bit after the Nizoral bath and Ivermectin treatment? I'm sure it would do absolutely nothing for fungal though.

Good luck. And your babies will be fine!

[Lynx]

It might be a skin yeast infection.

Ditto on continuing the ivermectin. And perhaps a Nizoral shampoo and topical antifungal cream.

Skin problems often clear up just fine. I would not worry about this at all.

[1aicha]

Thank you guys for your help. I got the monistat at the pharmacy. *YAWN* and I am a pretty tired mommy.
Topaz: yes, it did help to begin breathing normally again...lol
This is a pain in the b*** but beside a lot of work for me, I wonder if it could spread more on their bodies???
shall I combine the monistat and then apply the vitamin E???

[WICharlie]

You mention about giving a "second dose" of ivermectin as a precaution. You do know that a full treatment consists of three doses, 7 days apart, yes? Or maybe you meant that they were fully treated (three times) and that you started another round?

[1aicha]

WICharlie: yes, I was aware of thew three doses for the treatment. The thing is, I had already begun to give them a preventive treatment when I discovered just yesterday the lesions. So either I caught it in time or they got that just after their first dose of Ivermectin.
I have an appointment with the vet at 2 p.m. Should /might know a little bit more after.

[cutemomomi]

another guess come to my mind...
ringworm, the fungal infection.
You need a vet to run a fugal culture to confirm this...
When was the last time you batehd them with Nizoral, if it is not too present, you should ask your vet about doing cultures.

Is the cage cage more humid then the rest of the house?
Are there any wooden hidies, toys and chews inside the cage where the girls share?

Fungal spores are always present but flares when the air gets more humid.

[Mum]

Good call, cutemomomi!

A ringworm culture takes about 10 days, though, to grow.

You can treat each pig with oral cat Program - it won't hurt them if they don't have ringworm, but it's very effective if they do.

[1aicha]

oral cat? Does that mean it usually given to cats?
If it is ringworm, shouldn't the eye region be touched as well?

[Mum]

Yes, it's given to cats - usually for fleas, but it works on ringworm.

I don't recall that ringworm affects the eyes. But it is highly contagious to you also.