Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Guinea pig with severe itching and skin sores from mange
By PERRAKI (Μ. ΠΕΡΡΑΚΗ), M. et al.·Published in Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society·2018·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: A case of Trixacarus caviae mange in a guinea pig (Caviaporcellus)
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
A 1.5-year-old male Peruvian guinea pig was brought to the vet for severe itching and skin lesions that had been bothering him for two months. The vet found various skin issues, including hair loss, redness, and crusty sores all over his body. The guinea pig also showed signs of distress when handled, and the owner noticed itchy bumps on their own skin. After diagnosing the problem as Trixacarus caviae mange, the vet treated the guinea pig with three weekly injections of ivermectin. Within six weeks, the skin lesions and itching completely resolved.
People also search for: guinea pig skin problems · Trixacarus caviae mange treatment · ivermectin for guinea pigs
Abstract
A male, peruvian, 1.5-years old, guinea pig {Cavia porcellus) was admitted to the Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine with a history of intensively pruritic skin lesions lasting for the past two months. Physical examination disclosed hypotrichosis, erythema, hyperpigmentation, scales, crusts, ulcers and papules in a focal to diffuse pattern on both the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body trunk. Whenever the handling of the animal was attempted, it started vocalizing, cycling and rolling in a frenzy manner. Pruritic papules were also observed on some parts of the glabrous skin of the owner. The diagnosis of Trixacarus caviae mange was based on the observation of the parasite in superficial skin scrapings. The subcutaneous administration of three weekly ivermectin injections, at the dose of 0.4 mg/Kg BW, resulted in the disappearance of the lesions and pruritus within a six-week period.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15393