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Post by PigPog on Nov 11, 2008 21:16:21 GMT
It's been a bit of a naff afternoon really. I took Mr Smallweed to see the vet because he's got some nasty chelitis (a fungal infection) around his mouth and it's spreading to the skin around his eyes. He's also lost some weight because he's having trouble eating and I assume it's painful for him. He's on a big dose of antibiotics and the vet told me to go to the chemist for some Sudocrem to rub into his lips to stop them chafing. The vet thinks Mr Smallweed has an internal fungal probem which causes the chelitis to keep coming back, so I hope his companion Higgs won't come out with it. I tried him on some critical care paste but I could only get it down him by sticking the end of a teaspoon into his mouth and chasing him around the table with it.... so Simon pureed some fresh vegetables and Supa Guinea Excel pellets instead. We've put some in a bowl and left it in their hutch - Higgs is enjoying it so I hope it will encourage Mr Smallweed to eat some too. Worryingly, I got him home and discovered that his tinkle area seems to be swollen, and it's way bigger than Higgs's tinkle area as a comparison. It's also a bit crusty around the edge too. Not sure what's going on there yet, but having a good think..... I'm going to book him in to see the same vet again early next week after the antibiotics have had time to start working.
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Nov 11, 2008 21:37:24 GMT
The athletes foot cream didn't work then? Thats a shame Hopefully the antibiotics kick in soon. As for the winkle problem, have you popped his winkle out and seen if its covered in, oh boy juice? Does it look a bit like a flower? The fact the outside is swollen it could be that he has Harry Snr's old problem that he used to get so much gunk round his willy that it would make the sheath (the bit you can see) swell up. Clean his willy with warm water, and dry it before you pop it back in. You will need Simon (or another willing volunteer) to help you with this. Best method...... One of you holds him, upside down, with the bum end pointing towards the other of you, whilst supporting the back - your dining room table may be useful for this procedure!! The one with the willy end, then pushes the willy out to clean it, while the other steadies the end with the teeth. Its not the easiest procedure, but if it is what I think it is this will solve the problem. If you need me to talk you through popping the willy out give us a ring
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Post by eppingstrider on Nov 11, 2008 21:45:30 GMT
Apart from the entertainment value of imagining this...... If I ever have to attend to Fred or George in this way can I offer someone and all-but-travel-expenses-paid holiday in Norfolk!
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Post by snailspace on Nov 12, 2008 0:40:45 GMT
ES - good idea! I do think that for the squeamish and unobservant (myself for instance) there should have been a much bigger content warning on that thread Pigpog Poor Mr S though It's a shame that all that cream and athlete's foot stuff you put on didnt heal it. Still, now the antibiotics should help.
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Post by PigPog on Nov 12, 2008 1:07:33 GMT
Mr Smallweed has been staggering around his hutch like he's got red hot nuts, so I decided to clean his tinkle.... I did everything you said Doris, but I forgot to dry it before I popped it back in. I'm going to give it another clean tomorrow and pop some Canesten up his back end for good measure so I'll make sure it's all dry. Simon got the water and the cotton wool for me but refused to help me tackle the tinkle so I started to do it myself.... until Sue knocked at the door at just the wrong time (for her ) and got roped into doing the dabbing while I propped him up. I have to admit, it looks better already. Well, the pureed vegetables and piggy mix has gone down well.... with the wrong pig. I don't think Mr Smallweed has even attempted to eat any, while Higgs on the other hand has a big dry green splodge on the end of his nose and green lips. If he was hoping to fool me into thinking it wasn't him, it's not working. I'm going to spoon feed Mr Smallweed tomorrow throughout the day, and keep doing it until he eats by himself again. He's got the Sudocrem on his lips and around his mouth to hopefully stop it chapping and I'm keeping fingers crossed the antibiotics will start working soon so he might feel better and start eating. Oh and Jacky, you can send the travel tickets to Doris, I'm not going to offer to do this for anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by 1toni2007 on Nov 12, 2008 9:12:08 GMT
oh poor Mr Smallweed i bet hes thinking 'cant she leave either end alone' well done PigPog for sorting his winky out i cant see my hubby helping with this job for anything
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Post by meggiepiggy on Nov 12, 2008 12:32:41 GMT
I agree with Snaily A content warning would not have gone amiss on this thread Mr M flatly refused to look at the picture (he can be such a gentle soul at times). Poor little chap...I couldn't stop thinking about him all night Hope the antibiotics kick in soon.. And as for Higgs, cheeky little....... Keep us updated Pigpog
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Post by PigPog on Nov 12, 2008 12:39:26 GMT
It says "yucky photo alert" in the title, so it's up to you guys to read it and decide for yourselves. Just think yourselves lucky that you're not having to treat him.
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Post by Harlequin on Nov 12, 2008 13:00:28 GMT
The thread is on the Health & Action board with a title that includes the both the word fungal and the term yucky photos. It's a grim picture certainly (I should know, I had to make sure I got the gribbly bits in focus ) but it's definitely signposted clearly enough I know you can get to the thread from a handful of other sources (such as the front forum page) but as the title only part displays it's not possible to put both the subject and a warning in such a short space. The moral of this story - don't risk clicking on a link that doesn't list the whole thread title if you don't want to see bits of guinea pigs best left to the imagination
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Post by snailspace on Nov 12, 2008 13:10:01 GMT
So sorry Kate!!! I realised afterwards that I went into the post the wrong way I clicked on where it said the latest post was from 'Pigpog Re: more fungal pro ...' DUHHHHHHH - so I didn't see the full heading and yuk warning at all of course. That'll teach me I will never ever go into a post on here without going through the main board again - serves me right Also thanks for the thanks for tinkle washing - it was pretty yuk wasn't it! When I was your age I never thought I would one day be washing tinkles ... just goes to show doesn't it ...
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Post by PigPog on Nov 12, 2008 14:40:54 GMT
Mr Smallweed looks a bit slim today. I've taken his critical care and veggie sludge out of the fridge to warm up and I'm going to spoon feed him soon. I'm worried he's going to become weak if I don't keep hand feeding him for now; he's already looking poorly. I spent a while before bed holding a piece of carrot for him while he slowly chewed his way through it so I'll also do that again today too. I just gave him his antibiotics and put some Sudocrem around his mouth and a little bit around the chapped parts of his tinkle area. There's not much change yet, but it might be looking a touch better, I'm not sure. He's still in a lot of discomfort, that's for sure. Overall his tinkle area looks better than it did, not as red and swollen and he's not staggering about now. Thanks Doris. There's still a chance I'll lose him if I don't keep getting food down him because his mouth is so sore and he's not feeding without my help. I'm very worried but I'll keep going and let you all know how he is later.
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Post by guineapigqueen on Nov 12, 2008 15:54:48 GMT
Oh Kate, poor Mr Smallweed. It looks horrible, I have never know such a fungal problem like that attack the lips and I am glad.
Just been looking at Diseases of Domestic Guineas and it has two subjects under 'scabs around the mouth'.
First is mild form.... signs: the guinea pig has multiple scabs espcially in the corners of the lips. If the condition is server these can spread up over the nose. The affected animals is usually still in good health and eatting normally. treatment: Cleanese the scabs around the mouth with an antiseptic solution daily. A dilute solution of povidone-iodinea (1:5 with water) is recommended. Panlog ointment or cream should be then applied twice daily to affected area. Alternatively the sores can be painted with gentain violet. The latter is preferred if the guinea pig is pregnant, as antibiotics are best avoided during gestation.
Second the severe form... signs: the scabs may progress to include the gums, and in turn the teeth may become brittle. Septicaemia and death is common. treatment: This condition is incurable and euthanasia should be considered.
comment: Both forms are contagious and are spread via infected food dishes and drinkers, wire doors. The milder form is more common. It is wise to isolate the affected guinea pig once the condition is diagnosed and the treatment should be successful, although they may be a recurrence of the condition at a later date. The bacteria usually gain entry via small abrasive at end of the mount from sharp pieces of food or from constant chewing by the guinea pig at its bars. It is wise to remove all abrasive foodstuffs to minimise the occurrence of this problem. All food bowls and drinkers should be sterilised and wire fronts of the hutch doors scrubbed with an antiseptic (e.g. dilute Savlon solution 1:30 in water). The eating of foods with a high acid content may predispose the guinea pig to the development of this condition, and beetroot and apples should be removed from the affected individuals diet. Recently a pox virus has been implicated as a cause of mouth scabs.
Sorry if I have repeated this, as you may have this book at home but I thought it may be helpful.
Emma x
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Post by Hugs-Cavies (Doris) on Nov 12, 2008 20:11:32 GMT
Glad his winkle is feeling a bit better. You could try offering some grass, he might go for that even though he is feeling poorly. Give him a from me.
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Post by PigPog on Nov 16, 2008 2:39:53 GMT
Thanks Emma, I'm going to do as they suggest and clean their hutch out as soon as he's better. I'm very appreciative that you took the time to type all that to me and I'm going to save it to my computer just in case I come across this again. Simon and I think he's crusty around his eyes and genitals because of washing (wiping his paws over his face and eyes) and eating his own poo - thus spreading the infection. The scabs are dropping off now and his bottom lip isn't bloody anymore. He's still on his antibiotics and Sudocrem. He's just started eating vegetables by himself, so I've temporarily stopped spoon feeding him, but I'm still keeping an eye on him just in case. We have an appointment to see the same vet again on Monday. I'm concerned that the fluffy patch under his chin is pretty much covered on scabs so I'm going to ask the vet if we should trim the fur down (or if the vet can do it for me as it might be less stressful for Weedy if the experts clip it). Weedy has a long way to go but at the moment it's looking like he's very slowly on the mend. Fingers crossed.
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Post by eppingstrider on Nov 16, 2008 16:15:38 GMT
I do hope he recovers soon, PigPog. George sends love and encouragement (and a nice piece of coriander leaf)
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