Millie’s Medical

[ItsaZoo]

Millie had her complimentary wellness exam today at a clinic that treats exotics. They were thorough and said overall she’s in good health and a good weight. She was 2.2 pounds, which is down from the 2.34 she weighed when we got her.

We did get some Mupirocin ointment to put on her feet. I told them she has a red heel pad on one front foot and that I was applying polysporin and diaper rash ointment twice a day. It’s a mild case of bumblefoot and they recommended applying the Mupirocin to all her feet 3 times daily for 2 weeks. The vet liked that she is on fleece with a quilted pad underneath. No hard or rough floors. Hopefully the ointment, cushy digs, and moving around more will be good for her feet.

The vet and tech were very nice and helpful, they gave us a general care guide that included a list of foods with the calcium and phosphorus amounts. Really nice for first-time adopters. I actually knew the vet from a local clinic where she worked a number of years ago. I took my mom’s cat to her for checkups and shots.

[Lynx]

Sounds encouraging. Good to meet a new vet.

Let us know if the prescribed ointment makes a difference.

[ItsaZoo]

I’ve been using the Mupirocin for a week now and her foot looks only slightly better. There were two spots on either side of her heel pad and now there is one. She hates being handled, and tries to lick it off right away so I have to hold her a while until it soaks in.

Then she started scratching behind her ears and they looked dry and flaky on the back. I used some of the Mupirocin on that and it looked better so I figured it was just dry skin. Now she has red circular patches along the hairline on the bald spots behind her ears. I rinsed the area with Vetricyn and applied some anti fungal athletes foot cream.

I looked at pictures of fungus and ringworm, but this doesn’t look crusty, flaky or powdery. When we were at the vet I asked about fungus and her dry ears. The vet didn’t see any indication of fungus. She was treated last month with selamectin for parasites so I doubt it’s mites.

I was thinking of getting some anti fungal shampoo and do a bath, then apply the shampoo behind the ears and let it sit to see if that helped.

[Lynx]

It is so nice to have such a savvy guinea pig caretaker! All the suggestions I would have made, you've done!

I imagine the long article in the Reference Forum about skinnies was helpful too. I imagine if it ends up not being fungal, cold pressed coconut oil might help too.

[ItsaZoo]

Thanks for the vote of confidence - I feel like I don’t know what to do!

I ordered Davis miconazole shampoo. It says it can be used on kittens and other animals so I figured that would be safe. I didn’t get the one with chlorhexidine. I thought it might be better try one thing at a time, and I don’t want to dry her skin out.

I plan to do a shampoo foot soak in case there’s fungus involved on her feet. Then I can apply the Mupirocin which will moisturize and hopefully get her healed up.

[Lynx]

I think with each guinea pig we have, we become more educated. Not to mention, humbled. We do the best we can with what we know.

[ItsaZoo]

That’s for sure. I sent a message to the vet letting them know what’s going on with her and that I plan to give an anti fungal bath.

To top it off, our older dog is having digestive issues again, so I have to get more GI food, and keep the probiotics and doggie Kaopectate flowing.

[daisymay]

Like Lynx said you sound like you know what you are doing. Hoping Millie gets better soon! Perhaps bribe her with treats to stay still!

[ItsaZoo]

She’s a drama queen, whines and screams about everything. When the vet did the wellness check, they were in a different exam room behind 2 closed doors and we could hear her screaming. The vet commented she was “very vocal.”

[Lynx]

Sounds like the vet was being "diplomatic".

You have a live one!

[Waddles]

I actually kind of like vocal pigs. I had foster babies that started wheeking as soon as they heard me coming down the stairs in the mornings. It was quite a cacophony. Then I had boys that barely wheeked and I missed hearing it.

[ItsaZoo]

I like a little feedback myself, it’s nice to have someone excited to see you, even if it is just for food.

Millie whines every time she’s picked up. I think she’s just annoyed, but at first I thought she was in pain or itchy or something. Maybe her feet hurt, I don’t know. Once in a while she squeaks when she’s moving around the cage and she spends a lot of time in her hideys.

I think someone may have thrown a blanket or towel on her to catch her. If I move her blankets in her cage, she comes charging and gets nippy. I can pick her up easily if I take it slow and pet her first, but wrapping her in a blanket gets her stressed.

I had already ordered the anti-fungal shampoo when I got a message back from the vet to try a medicated anti-fungal shampoo. I assume she means one with betadine or chlorhexidine. This one is just miconazole.