[Gpdd] HEALTH Crusty nose/lips ( a bit long )

[Penny Charlesworth]

Julie,

When Suzy posted about Rocky's crusty nose I replied directly to her. I should have CCd it to the Digest in case anyone else wanted to read it so here is what I wrote to Suzy.

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Hi Suzy,

If this IS what Rocky has, you do not need to go near a vet.

I thought that I would mail you direct as the sooner you can get on top of this, the sooner it can be cleared up.

When Cadbury had this problem, it was confined to the corners of his little mouth but if I had not treated it, then it would have spread and could have reached his nose.

IF we have correctly diagnosed it this is what you do.

You have to be cruel to be kind. You have to remove the scabs from around his mouth. I did this with my fingernail for Cadbury but you can use tweezers. If you do not remove the scabs, the medication will have no effect and the problem will just get worse.

Peter Gurney's way of treating this was to use Gentian Violet but I am wondering if you will be able to buy this. If you can, it comes in a bottle from a pharmacy. The liquid is a brilliant violet colour and will stain horribly so keep it off your fingers and clothes. The alternative requires a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide ( pharmacy again ).

With Cadbury, I did alternate weeks, one week of Gentian Violet and then one week of Hydrogen Peroxide. It took several weeks but then cleared up and has never returned.

So........having steeled yourself and removed the scabs, take a cotton bud and dip it into your bottle. Apply this to all the area from which you have removed the scabs. You need to do this every day without fail, removing the scabs which will reform and applying your substance. The scabs will gradually become less and less each day until they are gone. It is a good idea to keep applying the substance for a couple of weeks afterwards to stop the sores from recurring.

If you use the Hydrogen Peroxide, you may notice a little effervescence on Rocky's skin when you apply it. Do not worry, it is supposed to do this.

It is often said that the acidity in apples is a contributing factor in causing these sores in piggies which already have a weaker membrane around their mouth. Whether this is true or not I am not sure as Cadbury doesn't like apple and never eats it.

There is a little bit about this on Peter's website   http://web.onetel.net.uk/~petergurney/m.html   scroll down the page.

I know that it sounds horrible to pick off the scabs but it has to be done and Cadbury never minded me doing it. He is, luckily, a very calm and laid back piggy and I hope that your boy is the same.


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Julie, a big piggy welcome to your new little boys,  Sooty and Honey. How lucky they are to have a wonderful new home with you and your precious boys. As for Guinea Pigs Anonymous, I think we all belong to it. It is called the GPDD.

Regarding the problem with Joey's penis, have you read this?  

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/penprot.htm  Poor little Joey. I hope that this helps.

Love to the Magnificent Seven plus one.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.