• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Advice Needed Please!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Almostmad

Almostmad

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
88
Reaction score
58
Points
220
Location
Northern Ireland
Heya! Was weighing my piggy tonight as we do weekly and I checked her over and noticed two scabs on her left shoulder, I'm wondering if I should get them checked with the Vets ASAP? I've had a poke with them and a feel, she doesn't seem bothered by me doing so. I just don't know what the best course of action is - I'll post the best possible pictures I could take of them! Thanks!
 
Okay I cant upload the photos, the two scabs are about your little finger-nail size and almost round. She was running around like a mad thing the other night and jumping off her houses so, I dont know if she's done it that way. They look clean but fresh maybe a day or so old.
 
Ok, Probably worth getting checked out as the two most likely options is that they were caused by a cage mate (unlikely due to the size) or more likely caused by her scratching. That would indicate mites or fungal so would ideally need a vet check to get the appropriate treatment.

Hope that helps :)
 
She did have a cage mate but they're now permanently separated and have been for 2 months. She doesn't seem to be itching but, saying that I haven't found any hair or anything on any of her items in her cage so maybe she did scratch herself :(! I'll phone the vets tomorrow and see when I can get an appointment :)
 
I have two piggies - Aggie and Betty. They were together but are now permanently separated as Aggie was bullying Betty and was causing her bad bite marks and making her lose weight due to stress. They're both in separate cages but are right next to each other so can see and hear the other. I've clipped Bettys nails as I just heard her squeak and she had scratched her scab making it bleed again. So it could have been her nails?
 
If she's scratching that area again already then something is irritating her.

They can do a lot of damage to themselves just with their nails, clipped or unclipped, if they are uncomfortable and scratching. She really needs to see the vet so they can treat the underlying cause of whatever's irritating her and then she should feel more comfortable.

Normally it isn't usual for them to damage themselves with their own nails, it's repeated and more frantic scratching that tends to cause the problem.
 
Forgot to update this - took Betty to Vets as after a few days of watching and checking, she really started to annoy herself and consistently scratched herself so much so, she made herself squeal :(! Vet said what I thought - she has initially injured herself running around but because she's been at it, its now turned into a skin infection :( they did a hair pluck to rule out ringworm etc but she's now on Anti-Biotics and also got a flea/mite treatment as I told her I really begrudge using Bob Martin spot on for them because its awful :( so Betty has completely fallen out with me at the moment :(! But hopefully on the mend!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top