Bald patches on guinea pig rear end

[Sausage and Mash]

Hi I’m new to this forum and looking for some advice please. I noticed a few days ago that one of my guinea pigs (I have two girls who are almost 5 years old) has a couple of bald patches on her bottom with a little tiny bit of dandruff. The skin looks healthy (no scabs, inflammation or crustiness at all) and there are no other patches on her or the other piggy. I haven’t seen her itching and I’m pretty sure it’s not self-barbering or barbering from the other piggy - they are well bonded and very friendly with each other.

I took them to an exotics vet this morning who didn’t do any tests but she seems pretty sure my piggy has mites and gave her some ivermectin.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what this might be? I’m probably over worrying but I’m concerned that there’s a possibility it could be something like ringworm and the vet didn’t do any tests - I don’t want it to spread to my other piggy or end up in a reinfection cycle if it turns out to be that and it’s not dealt with properly. Any advice from more experienced piggy owners would be amazing! Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I’m new to this forum and looking for some advice please. I noticed a few days ago that one of my guinea pigs (I have two girls who are almost 5 years old) has a couple of bald patches on her bottom with a little tiny bit of dandruff. The skin looks healthy (no scabs, inflammation or crustiness at all) and there are no other patches on her or the other piggy. I haven’t seen her itching and I’m pretty sure it’s not self-barbering or barbering from the other piggy - they are well bonded and very friendly with each other.

I took them to an exotics vet this morning who didn’t do any tests but she seems pretty sure my piggy has mites and gave her some ivermectin.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what this might be? I’m probably over worrying but I’m concerned that there’s a possibility it could be something like ringworm and the vet didn’t do any tests - I don’t want it to spread to my other piggy or end up in a reinfection cycle if it turns out to be that and it’s not dealt with properly. Any advice from more experienced piggy owners would be amazing! Thank you

Hi and welcome

Sight unseen we can unfortunately not comment.

Here is our ringworm guide with pictures of how an outbreak typically runs. The crusty exudate forms within a day or two and is unmistakeable.
Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Hello, I understand that. I’ll attach some pictures now

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

a couple of bald patches on her bottom with a little tiny bit of dandruff

When I read that, my immediate thought was 'mites'! Based on memories of my own piggies' ailments. However @Wiebke has FAR MORE knowledge than I do.

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Ok, thank you that’s reassuring to hear as it seems like mites will be much easier to deal with. @Wiebke do you have any thoughts now I’ve sent some pictures? Thanks so much!

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

When I read that, my immediate thought was 'mites'! Based on memories of my own piggies' ailments. However @Wiebke has FAR MORE knowledge than I do.

Please note, I hadn't seen the pictures when I wrote that. They weren't showing for me at the time I wrote, for whatever reason. And I'm no longer in a space where I can look at them properly and decide. Hoping somebody else gets back to you soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

I could be either hay or mange mites (in a place where she cannot scratch or bite herself) or a milder fungal skin infection that is not ringworm and labs won't test for. Lice could also be possible but you or your vet would have noticed some pale little things crawling around. Lice are the only skin parasite specific to guinea pigs that is visible to the naked eye.

Please conduct the full three rounds course of ivermectin at the product specific interval and see your vet again if it is either not working or the problem returns. Treatment for all parasites is the same.

But it is most definitely not ringworm and nothing you or another pet species can catch. The hair loss pattern is also not ovarian cyst related. That is another potential headache off the table for you.

Here is more information on guinea pig specific mites (there are two varieties).
New Guinea Pigs Health Problems: URI - Ringworm - Skin Parasites

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Thank you so much, that’s a real relief and glad it’s nothing serious for her

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Hi I’ve just done another thorough check and noticed that the hair is growing back well in some spots but there is another small bald patch near her rear end and the fur came out in a few small clumps with dandruff at the end. Do you still think mites?

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Here are some pictures

 

[Sausage and Mash]

And another

 

[Sausage and Mash]

More pics

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I think it's still the same - hay or mange mites. It takes a while to disappear completely.

Note what Wiebke wrote:

Please conduct the full three rounds course of ivermectin at the product specific interval and see your vet again if it is either not working or the problem returns. Treatment for all parasites is the same.

I haven't had any guineas for a couple of years now, but I'm sure the full three rounds course is not yet over for you/your guineas? So unfortunately - patience is required. Or if you're really worried, contact your vet. Especially if s/he didn't mention follow-up rounds of ivermectin.

Maybe somebody else will be along on here with more idea than me.

ETA - I do understand general worry about guineas and their health! I was often a worrier, repeatedly at the vet's. I didn't mean to sound harsh.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Please finish first the full three rounds course of ivermectin before you and your vet can work further down the ladder of possibilities mentioned in my first post.

Unfortunately, you won't get at a carefully considered workable solution if you do not go through this elimination process because you panic and try to jump the fence early. Skin parasites, fungal and 'teddy skin' can all look much more similar than textbook images and descriptions would suggest in my own personal experience.

It takes patience and a careful ruling out of the various possibilities in play; any diagnosis by elimination rather than positive identification takes time. Unfortunately, this is not a case where you can just throw one look at it and put your finger firmly on it.

 

[Sausage and Mash]

Ok, I need to take her back for more ivermectin. So I guess until it’s ruled out it could be mites, lice or fungal, but is the verdict still mild fungal rather than ringworm? Also hoping not mange mites, she’s still not itching in particular.
Thanks so much, all the thoughts and advice are so helpful!