On September 17th of 2002 I went to purchase supplies at a pet store near my home. I always look in on the small and furry animals to be sure they are healthy and well cared for. When anything is wrong that can be fixed I will often have them page the manager and remedy the situation. There is no reason a small animal needs to suffer. (Why I no longer buy from pet stores)
Anyway, I looked in on the guinea pigs that day and saw the most unusual pig. He had a smooth coat everywhere except for a ridge of fur running down his back. There were no visible rosettes, and he was definately not an abby or peruvian. Yet I had never heard of such a pig as him. I thought he must be an abby mix or something and had only inherited this ridge of fur from the parents.
I didnt get him that morning. But after spending the entire day thinking about him and talking to people on message forums about his unique features, I just had to go back and see him and hold him. I have been able to hold many pigs in pet stores and still walk away, so that wasn't the only cause of my leaving the store with him at 8:45pm that night.
I had inspected him for all the usual. No sign of malloclusion and he looked generally healthy. He had even been popcorning in the cage. But when I saw the flaky skin on his feet, I knew right away it was not simple dry skin like the pet store employee claimed. I thought about it, and realized the chances were very great that this little unique pig would wind up in a home where the parents would not be willing to pay for vet care. That was a chance I could not take.
Reuben's fungus cleared up fairly easy that first time. We used fungal creams recommended by a local vet, and nizoral shampoo. He got one complete guinea pig style bath in the shampoo, then just a foot wash weekly afterwards till clear. After that I would use the cream at the slightest flake and all seemd fine till he developed possible symptoms of a URI in late Oct. The symptoms were very mild but I was a worrier and took no chances. The vet put him on a dose of Baytril right away and soon we were certain things were fine.
I had made a tough decision to neuter Reuben. I was worried, but knew the vet that the Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig Rescue uses for neuterings was excellent with piggies. He had his surgery the last week of October. Shortly after Thanksgiving he was allowed to "marry" and move in with his new bride Sienna Rohan Hollister. The happy couple now reside in the "American Cavies" theme cage.
The fungus that Reuben had come to us with did attack two more times. Once in May of 2003, when we had thought all was well and perhaps become too complacent, there it was just almost overnight. It appeared, I began the creams and shampoo immediately, but within two days fur was already sloughing off with skin flakes on the toes.
I was in a quandry for what to do because money was so tight at the time. It wasn't a matter of simply not being able to afford the vet visit, it was a matter of actually not having the cash or assets to pay for it at all. If I had the money, I would not hesitate to take him. Vet care should no more be denied to a pet than medical care should be denied to our children.
Fortunately a very dear friend came to the rescue with the cash and I paid back the money as soon as able. Reuben was prescribed Griseofulvin and given Chlorhexiderm shampoo. Along with the creams these remedies appeared to eradicate the fungus once again.
In Novemeber of 2003, I saw some flakes on Reuben's back heels. We got out the shampoo and creams and knew exactly what else we were going to try this time. After his last bout with fungal problems I had heard about a new treatment called Program. He was already on his dose of Griseofulvin and improving, so we decided to wait and see, before trying it. When the fungus hit again, I knew exactly where to order Program and who to consult about dosing.
Two of my online friends have been through very similar problems with difficulty eradicating fungus. They ran accross Program before I did and it worked great with their pigs. I learned a trick from one of them for which I am ever grateful. See... Program must be given in concurrence with a meal that has a large percentage of fat in order to do its work. Well, guinea pigs aren't normally supposed to be fed fattening foods and mine seemed to know that. Reuben shunned every fattening treat I offered.
I was grateful to learn that a 1 cc.. syringe full of vegetable oil would not harm Reuben and would provide the fat needed to make the medicine work. This is not something you should ever give a pig unless you have to though.
Reuben had his first dose of Program on Dec. 18th. I saw significant improvement only a week later. That's quicker than any other remedy we have tried previously. His skin is steadily impoving and with luck we will soon be free of this curse.
Sienna, his cagemate, must also take the doses of the meds to be sure she does not harbor or carry the fungal spores to keep them from reinfecting Reuben. There are many other helpful hints on dealing with this problem located here. (link coming soon)
Reuben's Personality Profile:
Reuben is a very docile and sweet pig. He will stand still in his cage when one reaches in to pet him, and will usually stand still to be picked up as well. He loves cuddles and petting. He doesen't mind if his ridge is petted flat. He really loves to accompany me outdoors to pick fresh grass for all the piggies. He will sit right beside me and munch the yummy grass stems while I fill a basket for everyone else.
He is a very quiet pig but will vocalize a quiet sqeaking when he expects a treat. Twice I have heard him chirp, which is a rare sound for piggy owners to hear.
His favorite place to sleep is in a sleeping berth I made for him which can be viewed here. (link coming soon)
He hates getting his feet doctored with his creams and will nip me gently trying to encourage me to stop. When his foot problems are really flaring he might bite a little harder but he never breaks the skin. It is more like being pinched than anything. He's left tiny little bruises that look like miniature hickies. I might scold teasingly but I never blame him for trying to protect himself.
Reuben's History before me: I can't be sure exactly where he came from before the pet store, but I do know this pet store turns out a large number of pigs infected with fungal problems. Their pets come from breeders who typically breed to sell the pigs rarely caring about their overall well being. I encourage others NOT to buy pets from pet stores. Rescues are far more likely to sell you a healthy pet.
Updates on Reuben's story:
Update Early 2004:
We are still struggling with this fungus although nearly ALL other people who have used Program have had excellent success. I have decided to alter Reuben's diet to provide him with a higher level of protien than he was previously getting. He will also be put on another round of program soon. Will update as soon as I know the results. Wish Reuben luck. Thanks.
Update Late 2004:
Even when we think we have beaten this, it continues to return when we least expect it. We are doing all the right things, keeping dry clean cage, removing all wood other bedding material, using the meds and creams. But it keeps returning. We believe Reuben has a lowered immunity to his type of fungal infection and may continue to be chronically affected.
One problem that may add to our dilemma is that fungal spores can remain in the environment for up to two years. Eliminating them completely from the environment is much more difficult than one might think.
I may resort to a concurrent course of Griseofulvin AND Program in hopes of finally beating this, but I must first research wether such a measure is safe.
Update August 2006;
We have had no fungus attacks for a very long time. I'd yell Yay here except Reuben has had Malocclusion for about a year. It has been a rough struggle with handfeeding and trips to the vet fo trimming his teeth. The vet expenses keep me from ever getting ahead in life but I am committed to this pig as he were my child. I would like to finish this website but with handfeeding Reuben several times a day I am so tired all of the time I rarely get anythng done in my life that I should do. But this little guy needs me and I have to be there for him. Hopefully I will be able to finish the site someday and write some wonderful tips on handfeeding guinea pigs.
Update: September 2006;
Reuben Ridgeback has said goodbye. We miss him dearly. But he would want us to be happy if piggies could think that big. So we will get over the loss in time, and always there are more piggies in need of good homes and lots of love.
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Terms:
Nizoral - an over the counter medicated shampoo that can be found at most department stores.
URI - Upper Respiratory Infection
Baytril - One of the medications safe to give guinea pigs for some illnesses
Griseofulvin - Another medication that IS safe to give guinea pigs but must be dosed and monitored carefully.
Chlorhexiderm shampoo - A medicated shampoo usually purchased at a verinary office but can also be found online
Program - Is actually a cat and dog flea treatment that happens to also kill fungus in the same manner it kills fleas.
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