[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Lily has a bald spot

[Ann Evans]

Hi Mieke,

It sounds like Lily had mites and now has a fungal skin infection. These 
two infections often occur together. The same mites and fungus that 
infect dogs and cats can infect cavies. Dandruff on the skin and skin 
flakes adhering to hair pulled out and red flushed skin colour are all 
signs of fungal infection. The Surolan drops you are using should clear 
it up. SUROLAN Drops contain: Miconazole nitrate, an antifungal, 
polymyxin B sulfate, an antibiotic, and prednisolone acetate, an 
anti-inflammatory. However your other girls also need to be treated for 
their dandruff. The Cambridge Cavy Trust, CCT, recommends Nizarol 
shampoo which contains ketoconazole an anti-fungal medication. They also 
recommend using Alphosyl or T-Gell shampoo. These are anti-dandruff 
shampoos. The CCT also recommends the use of Betadine the first aid 
antiseptic topical solution that contains 10% Povidone Iodine. This is 
mixed with a little shampoo to make it lather. The veterinary 
preparation is called Pevidine or Poviderm shampoo. I always use the 10% 
Povidone Iodine solution that I mix with an anti-parasitic  shampoo to 
make it lather. The reason why I use it is that the iodine has both 
anti-fungal and antibiotic properties. Make sure when you are shampooing 
your other girls to keep the shampoo on for 5-10 minutes. Work the 
lather up into the ear canals and all over the ears and give a good 
friction rub over the entire body. Remember that fungal spores live 
under the skin so you have to really work the shampoo into the skin and 
remove any loose hairs. Fungal spores also infect the hair follicles and 
make the hairs fall out. Repeat shampoo weekly for 2-3 weeks. After each 
shampoo. rinse well, towel dry and apply a good skin conditioning cream 
such as E 45. The girls pen and everything in it should be thoroughly 
washed to remove any fungal spores. Most of the fungal spores come from hay.

I really enjoyed your videos of your piggys popcorning.

Cheers,

Ann and the Rescued Piggys of Piggyville, Tampa Florida USA.