Eva's Ringworm Page

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Symptoms

General symptoms are:

Sores on the head, and sometimes the neck.
Scratching.

Identification

Species of rimgworm are seldom identified. The cavy is usually treated for ringworm if it looks like ringworm and does not improve with Ivomec treatment.

Treatment

If you suspect ringworm - see a good vet!

Ways to spread

This can spread from one species to another. You can get it yourself from petting an unknown cat in the street, and then you can give it to your cavies by petting them! Also rats, mice, dogs, calfs, and lots of other animals can get this desease.

I have noticed that some people say that ringworm can live on wood and that therefore you must throw away any pieces of wood in the cage if any of your cavies gets ringworm - including the cage itself if it is made out of wood. This is of course rubbish since ringworm is a parasite of humans and other animals - it is not a tree parasite.

Facts

Ringworm is a kind of fungus. Common species are Trichopyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum.

General Treatment

Scratching/sores are usually symptoms of either mites or a fungus infection. Treat for mites first, since the mites might be lethal. (Ivermectin shots at the vet's...) If this does not help - usually the piggy gets better a week after the first shot if it is mites - start treating for fungus. You need the help of an experienced exotic vet, since fungus might be hard to get rid of. You need to remember that many medications supposed to be put in the piggies fur to treat fungus usually make the piggy MORE itchy! You might try a dandruff schampoo for humans if the fungus infestation is light (no sores, only scratching).

Ringworm Treatment

Seek help from an experienced exotic vet. Remember that ringworm can be transmitted to you or your children. Also remember that if piggies you have had for some time (months or years) without any symptoms that suddenly shows symptoms of ringworm probably has caught it from children or other house hold pets. Guinea pigs are not natural resources for ringworm.