Thistle Cavies Story - How Bad Can It Get?

For those of you "lucky" enough not to have seen / helped guineas with Fungal skin problems, here is a story from Wendi at Thistle Cavies: www.thistlecaviesrescue.com

When I started the rescue, I had never seen a piggie with skin problems. In all the years (and it is a lot) I have kept pigs, I have had two with Mites, both times I recognised the problem and sorted it quickly.

My first rescues were waited on with great excitement, which turned to dismay on seeing them.  All 8 of them had Fungal problems and Mites. One little boy Sacha was fitting and screaming.

Now I know a lot of us don't want to think of our pigs with a Fungal infection..... me included.

I have to be honest and say it was the most terrifying thing I have faced.  Fortunately I had Chrissie's products on hand, and started with Sacha immediately.  It was heartbreaking, he couldn't bear to be touched, and I had to grit my teeth and close my mind to his screams. I had just made my first mistake - I did not give him pain relief before oiling him.  I did next time.  I could never have gotten through this so well, both physically and mentally without the support of my piggy friends.  Both I and the rescue piggies are deeply grateful to all three.

You cannot imagine what it is like to see a pig in such pain that as soon as you touch him, he fits.  It was excruciating watching this and having to bathe and oil soak him, it almost destroyed me and I ended up in tears.  I am near to them again describing this.   In the end I discovered that a cold damp cloth put on him first helped in being able to pick him up.

You should see that little boy now, he has almost doubled his size and weight and is a firm member of the family. He will not suffer again.

I had to go through the same with the next rescues, though they were not quite as bad. Out of 23 rescues only 3 have not had Fungal infection.  Interestingly all of them were bedded on sawdust.

The point of this 'tale' is to say please everyone be vigilant, and check your piggies' coats and skin regularly.  I would not wish this on my worst enemy as the saying goes. It is heart wrenching and soul destroying watching a piggy suffer, and to know that in treating him you are adding to that pain, albeit temporarily.