Ringworm in Guinea Pigs
Ringworm – what is it?
Ringworm is a skin condition caused by a fungus, it is not a worm.
It causes red, flaky, often itchy bald patches to appear, mainly around the head and will spread if left untreated.
Treatment
Most infections can be cleared with a topical anti-fungal treatment, but severe cases may require oral medication for several weeks.
You may need to isolate an infected pig in a multi-guinea pig household and make sure their cage and bedding is sanitised.
Prevention
You can prevent ringworm by keeping your guinea pig’s environment clean and hygienic to prevent the build up of infected bedding etc.
Always thoroughly disinfect any second hand cages before use.
Risks to humans
Ringworm is highly communicable between guinea pigs and humans, so take care to protect yourself when handling an infected pet e.g wear disposable gloves and wash your hands well with soap and water.
If you do suspect ringworm, it’s important to book an appointment, so that diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin.
