• 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

Bald Patch on Face!

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheArctopus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TheArctopus

Hey there.

I noticed today that Gumble has a bald dry/scabby patch on her cheek area, there appears to be some dried blood too, this was NOT there on sunday when me and my gf were playing with her and yesterday I didnt have time have my evening play with her due to getting ready for moving home so I'm not sure if it happened today or yesterday, although I think I'd have noticed it when feeding her yesterday as I noticed it immediatelly upon looking at her this evening. Today when I noticed it I picked her up and had a look and as her face is black the skin is normally black, but it looks flakey and had no hair on it, she appears to be eating fine etc

Anyone know what I should do? Or what it could be I mean She is already under treatment for mites and the leg on which she had lost her fur due to mites has grown back, and due to the sudden nature of it I dont think it would be illness would it? I dont know if maybe she has scratched her face and caught herself with a claw(admittedly they need trimming - me and my gf are going to trim them at the weekend). Or maybe my other pig bit her? Although they do usually get along, they have danced about before, but ive had them months without any scrapping.

Of course I wont hesitate to take her to the vet if need be, but if anyone had any idea's what to do, what it might be, I'd be greatful.
 
I will in all likelihood take her to the vets as soon as I can to be honest, I need to go get my ferret vaccinated for canine distemper so I may as well get a two for one "walk through the door fee" anyway just for peace of mind, but I just wondered if anyone had any idea's what it could be or what to do in the meantime, like if someone had some good advice or anything. She doesnt seem in anyway non-normal, she is munching hay and has had her face in the foodbowl etc. Its very sudden, on sunday she was fine, I looked her over paying very close attention to see how her leg was coming along with the mite treatment.



Note: The ferret does not ever get even close to my pigs, She is kept in a different room and I always locked away in a very secure cage when I'm not there. My pigs and hamster are in the bedroom, and the ferret is in the living room. Just incase anyone was concerned that the ferret may scare my pigs through their cage.
 
Thanks for that link, I just had another look at her and got some pics, not the best but here they are.

GumbleFace.jpg



Note: Again this was not there on sunday, Its suddenly appeared.
 
I was going to suggest a fungal infection, but looking at that it looks like either she has scratched it, or been bitten there. Are you able to move the hair and have a close look at it? Is there any blood, scratch or bite marks?

A fungal infection (which typically starts on the face) or the spread of a parasitic problem (mites) is of course possible, but that looks distinctly like a slight injury to me, probably a bite (if I am seeing correctly!).
 
CCC4 said:
I was going to suggest a fungal infection, but looking at that it looks like either she has scratched it, or been bitten there. Are you able to move the hair and have a close look at it? Is there any blood, scratch or bite marks?

A fungal infection (which typically starts on the face) or the spread of a parasitic problem (mites) is of course possible, but that looks distinctly like a slight injury to me, probably a bite (if I am seeing correctly!).
Click to expand...

I have moved the fur and what you see in the pic is a slightly blurred version of what I see, basically a bald patch with some dried blood down either side of it, you can see the dried blood in the pic if you look closely.

She does need a claw trim so maybe she scratched herself or maybe Rou bit her(but they usually get along, i mean they do not cuddle up, but they dont fight), it just seems odd there is a bald patch and not just dried blood.

The mites(which she came with from pet shop - along with being pregnant, I dont deal with this pet shop anymore) which are being treated with 450mcg ivermectin drops (which I have to apply once every 2 weeks for 3 applications) from my vet imo seems to be clearing, her bald leg has re-grown fur and scratching is less than before, on both my pigs (they are both being treated)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That looks injury like to me too (but I am really no expert!) Maybe it's a combination, she cut herself scratching because of a fungal infection?

Bless - she's gorgeous. Really beautiful. Hope you manage to sort her out soon.
 
I suspected I could see a bit of dried blood but didn't want to say for sure. A bit of hair loss if fairly common with a bite from a fellow piggie, and the position of each mark suggests it was a bite.
A self-inflicted scratch is still possible though.

It sounds like you're dealing with the mite problem very well. I'm sorry you had such difficulties with these being pet shop pigs, unfortunately it is fairly common. She is beautiful, I hope she's all better very soon.
 
CCC4 said:
I suspected I could see a bit of dried blood but didn't want to say for sure. A bit of hair loss if fairly common with a bite from a fellow piggie, and the position of each mark suggests it was a bite.
A self-inflicted scratch is still possible though.

It sounds like you're dealing with the mite problem very well. I'm sorry you had such difficulties with these being pet shop pigs, unfortunately it is fairly common.
Click to expand...

So if its a bite (or scratch) what should I do about it? Just keep it clean and watch that no infection develops?

I mean if I rush her to the vet tomorrow they will just say, "its a bite keep her clean" if its that obvious.

I do have to take the ferret to the vets at some point, so its not going to be a huge burden or anything, but I was going to take the ferret in a week and a half to a ferret/exotic specialist vet to talk about spaying options while she is getting vacinated. Is it worth going to the vets tomorrow about this or should I just monitor her over the coming week and check the wound is clean etc?

About the mite treatment, they both had their 2nd of the 3 doses of invermectin drops last thursday.

Thanks a lot, you lot are super helpful here, lol - Helped me survive piggy pregnancy's and allsorts these last few months.
 
As long as you are happy to do so, you should be just fine simply monitoring the area. Clean it up with some salt water tonight just to be sure it's mostly clean and to get the dried blood off, and see how it heals on its own.
 
CCC4 said:
As long as you are happy to do so, you should be just fine simply monitoring the area. Clean it up with some salt water tonight just to be sure it's mostly clean and to get the dried blood off, and see how it heals on its own.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I shall do that I think, not that I'm opposed to visiting the vet if its needed.


Do you think 1/4 tea spoon of pure sea salt in a mug of boiling water, allowed to cool to a temperature suitable for her is the best approach for cleaning it? This is the approach I use for soaking fresh piercings etc.

Also on the dry bald patch should I just leave it be or would something like bepanthen help to sooth any itching or soreness and aid healing?
 
Bepanthen is fine once the wound has scabbed over. And the salt solution is Ok as well - same principle.

All the best to the poor girl and to you - moving is stressful enough on its own!
 
Vickyt said:
Bepanthen is fine once the wound has scabbed over. And the salt solution is Ok as well - same principle.

All the best to the poor girl and to you - moving is stressful enough on its own!
Click to expand...

Dont I just know it, poorly guinea's is last thing I want right now (not thats its ever a good time for them to be ill mind) work by day, packing by evening! Move will be over and done with on saturday then my animals can all get settled in their new home though. An appartment that allows pets, so I dont have to be on edge about inspections any more ::)p try owning, 1 ferret(although Biscuit the ferret is a new addition), 2 guinea pigs and 1 hamster in a private student halls of residence, lol


Thanks for all your help.
 
Just thought id update on this, not had internet access for a while, but the cut has scarred over and the fur is growing back like a tuft, emergency averted :) thanks for all the advice!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top