How to re-home a guinea pig with health issues

[smhufflepuff]

My friend called me this morning about her piggie: Shadow. Shadow is a 5yo piggie who needs a new home.

She was originally part of a 7th grade classroom's "zoo crew," but needed to go to a private home as she was interrupting the class begging for treats. And so, she came to live with my friend one year ago. Throughout her time at my friend's, Shadow has had ringworm... a rather intractable case. They've been the to the vet and tried oral and topical meds. I don't have the names of the meds, but they've ranged from the "very expensive and time consuming" for 6 mos to OTC versions. And no luck. The ringworm persists. And now her son has it.

That was the breaking point for my friend... her son contracting ringworm. They take very good care of Shadow, cleaning her cage, giving her fresh hay and veggies... But she just can't see this continuing. Her first thought was the SPCA, but she's concerned that bringing in a 5yo piggie with intractable ringworm would pretty much mean she'll be put down... which she doesn't want. Aside from the contagious condition, she is a rather sweet and easily loveable piggie.

Can you help me figure a way out of this? My friend is in Buffalo, NY - any rescues out there? Anything?

 

[saphire]

Good luck in finding her a home. It would be very sad to put down a little fur ball because it has ringworm.

 

[PetoftheDay]

Try calling any veterinary schools near her, maybe they would take her as a project, and agree to rehome her if she ever got clear of it.

Shelters will likely be wary of taking a pet with known infection, as it can be so contagious.

 

[Euphoric]

I am not sure about NY, but go on petfinder, type in guine pig, and there might be lists of other pigges up for adoption.
Ringworm is curable-for right now just tell your friend to use athletes foot cream-but sometimes it takes baths as well as lots of time.
I rehabilitated a Chinchilla with ringworm, and it tooks months and I as well contracted ringworm (Really its not a big deal, its just a small rash thats a very curable fungus!)

 

[smhufflepuff]

Thanks for the ideas.

She really is a sweet piggie.

 

[menagerie]

Have they tried LymDyp? It's a sulfur dip and stinks to high heaven, but works. We have used it on both guinea pigs and rats with great success for stubborn cases of RW. It would need to be done every 5 days for 7 treatments. Get the concentrate and not the spray.

Most shelters or humane societies will just put the gp down. They don't have the time or resources to deal with this type of thing. Your best bet would be to go with a reputable private rescue that can handle treating her.

 

[smhufflepuff]

I bet she hasn't - she's mentioned oral and topical meds, but no dips. Thanks.

 

[smhufflepuff]

Happy news. Shadow will be going to a piggie rescue in PA who will be able to deal with the ringworm and, provided all checks out health wise, will also be able to introduce her to other piggies.

My friend has started her on a new treatment that will continue at the rescue.

They're such social creatures. I hope she heals well and is able to have a piggie friend.

 

[Jenn]

that's great news! Thanks for the update!