Advice on how to treat injured piggy

[Liane]

My poor little Glinda has a sore face! We spotted it yesterday when we brought her in for a groom, and we think she may have been bitten by Elphie (I've noticed some aggression lately, I hope they don't have to be separated ). Do you think its a bite, or something else?

Her fur (she is long haired) has clumped together and there are some bald patches and blood. It is just below her nose, where her mouth is. I think it happened yesterday during the day, but it is possible it happened the day before after I groomed her because I didn't see anything, but it may have been hidden by her fur.

I've tried cleaning it, but the dried bits are difficult to get off - I've bene trying to soak it with warm water and rub it gently to ease it off, but she doesn't like it. She either tries to eat the cotton wool, or turns her head. Should I continue to try and remove as much as possible, or leave her? She seems to have got some off herself. Any tips on how to get her to sit still?

Also, I was wondering if I should get anything from the vet to put on it. It doesn't appear to bother her, but I don't want it to get infected and I'm concerned about the rapid hair loss from the area.

Her fur is a bit wet because I was trying to clean it, but silly piggy wouldn't sit still.



Edit: could this be cheilitis?

 

[Abi_nurse]

It looks like cheilitis to me. I'm no expert tho. Bathing it in antiseptic solution, chorhexadine based is best to do. If your worried maybe get a vet to check it out.

x.

 

[Liane]

I was talking to Dad about visiting a vet today. We might pay them a visit tomorrow.

In the meantime, what would people recommend I clean it with? If you could provide specific product names, that would be so helpful. I live in England.

She seems to have been cleaning it, but she's just made it bleed more! Is Cheilitis catching? I've never had a guinea pig with this before, I don't know whether I should keep her away from the other pigs?


Thanks

 

[flips]

I would take her to the vets to get a firm diagnosis and treatment.

Has she been eating apple or tomato? Some guinea pigs can be susceptible to sores from eating these.

Hope Glinda is feeling better soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Here is more information on cheilitis (inflammation of the lips):
http://www.guinealynx.info/cheilitis.html

Please have her seen by a vet!

 

[Liane]

We're thinking it could be a mouth sore due to apples - mum told me she'd been feeding the piggies apple, as she didn't realise it could cause sores! It seems Glinda either has more sensitive skin, or ate Elphie's bit of apple as well as her own as none of the others have it. Mum was very apologetic

Her mouth is look a bit better today. There's still some blood on it and she's lost her fur, but we're going to leave the scabby bits for now as we figured they'd probably stop any bacteria getting in. If there's no further improvement tomorrow, we'll have her seen by the vet She seems happy enough otherwise.


Thank you for all your help!

 

[Lady Kelly]

oh no bless her heart! try using salt water to keep it clean and keep bacteria out and if its still looking sore then get to a vet

 

[Liane]

oh no bless her heart! try using salt water to keep it clean and keep bacteria out and if its still looking sore then get to a vet

Thanks for the advice!

Will salt water sting? We've been trying to find the best product to clean her with as we don't want to cause her any pain if its not bothering her much at the moment. She's not keen on me touching it, even with warm water only, so we're keeping it as clean as she will allow.

 

[Lady Kelly]

it may do if its an open wound, I had to bathe a cut under bumbles eye with it and when she had scratched the scab off it clearly caused discomfort but the vet recommended it to help it heal

 

[Liane]

Just wanted to give you an update on Glinda - it was definitely a mouth sore caused by too much apple. Poor Mum feels awful, but I don't think it was entirely her fault, I think Glinda may be more sensitive to it. We will avoid it in future!

Her sore is healing up nicely now. There's the tiniest bit of scab left and of course she has a bald patch, but she's looking much better! It never seemed to get her down, and she's outside popcorning on the lawn as we speak!

 

[Pebble]

I am really pleased to hear in this case that the scabs are healing over....but please be vigilant and if healing hasn;t completed properly within the next few days, please take your piggie to a vet for an appropriate medication.


I'd just like to point out (for the benefit of forum members who may read this thread in the future) that whilst sores on the mouth can be CAUSED by apples/tomatoes etc....the SYMPTOMS can often be due to subsequent bacterial infection. The acidity weakens the skin and enables the bacteria to take up residence and cause infection...

IF you are lucky, and your piggie is strong, and the wounds are not infected......it may heal up without antibiotics if you withdraw the acid food..and bathe with salt water...(as in this case)...

However if the wound is infected, only antibioitics can ensure the bacteria are gone for good, ...( and you need to be aware that if not treated, the infection can spread....or, even if it heals over, the symptoms can come back if the piggie is under the weather for any reason in the future)...so if in any doubt, don;t delay and please take your piggie to the vet

x

 

[Briony_S]

just wanted to say thanks for this post it was very informative. i noticed tia one of my four guineas had some scaley skin all down from her nose down the spilt in her lip on friday. i fully intend on taking her to vets tomorrow when they are back open but this has put my mind at rest a little, i first thought maybe her and george had scrapped as there was a little blood but now looks like scaley skin and a bit swollen and i gave her a little tomato as a treat last week. oopss thought it would be ok as a one off and will not be doing it again, hopefully vet will confirm this and antibotics will fix her if needs be! thanks again