Biting Himself alot

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kerry123
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Kerry123

My guinea pig Toby has been bitting himself in the same spot for a while, there are two little cuts because of it, I have searched under his coat for any more signs of raw skin and can't find any. I'm wondering why he is doing this :^- if he hasn't got mites? Could it be due to boredom because he is solitary? I give him as much interaction as I can which I think keeps him sane, but I'm just worried about this biting habit. He is three years old.
 
As you already know guinea's are sociable and barber each other. He sounds like he is over barbering due to boredom. Perhaps getting a baby boar may help :)p and btw welcome :)p
 
Hi Kerry123 - welcome to the forum!

Have you recently got your guinea pig? I know that you say he is three years old but has he previously lived with another piggy, or has he always lived alone?

It could be boredom as Petcook suggested or it could be running lice which are hard to see sometimes. Is it his back he is biting?
 
Hello, I agree Toby would benefit no end by having a cage mate but I would try to get to the bottom of this biting issue since I've only ever heard of barbers trimming hair and not causing lacerations, Have you actually eliminated the possibility of mites or lice?
 
Goldie said:
Hi Kerry123 - welcome to the forum!

Have you recently got your guinea pig? I know that you say he is three years old but has he previously lived with another piggy, or has he always lived alone?

It could be boredom as Petcook suggested or it could be running lice which are hard to see sometimes. Is it his back he is biting?
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Yeah it's near his back indeed, no i've had him for three years. I'm would be afriad of buying another guinea with him incase they fight =S But he is very docile but would still be afraid of fights
 
piggiesforever said:
Hello, I agree Toby would benefit no end by having a cage mate but I would try to get to the bottom of this biting issue since I've only ever heard of barbers trimming hair and not causing lacerations, Have you actually eliminated the possibility of mites or lice?
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Well I just cleaned out his cage and sprayed it with a lice/flea/mite elliminator but I am considering buying some medicated shampoo to be safe would that harm him in any way if he hasn't actually got skin mites?
 
Well if he has always lived on his own and has you for company then I would be surprised if it was just boredom.

He may have picked up some creepy crawlies from the hay, which very often happens. Gorgeous guineas website is often quoted on here to buy guinea pig friendly shampoos etc. from. I am sure someone will post the link for you.

Guinea pigs are limited to whereabouts on their body that they can scratch or bite at and the base of the back is one place that they can get at easily.
 
Lice N Easy from gorgeous guineas is pretty good, we used it on ours and it works well :)p
 
Goldie said:
Well if he has always lived on his own and has you for company then I would be surprised if it was just boredom.

He may have picked up some creepy crawlies from the hay, which very often happens. Gorgeous guineas website is often quoted on here to buy guinea pig friendly shampoos etc. from. I am sure someone will post the link for you.

Guinea pigs are limited to whereabouts on their body that they can scratch or bite at and the base of the back is one place that they can get at easily.
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if someone could post that link i would be very grateful, I'm considering buying him a little friend but would like more advice on it first, because I will be starting school soon and he might be alone alot and am worried he will get lonely
 
I don't imagine using lice shampoo without the presence of lice would hurt but shampoos can not eliminate mites these require a trip to the vet
 
piggiesforever said:
I don't imagine using lice shampoo without the presence of lice would hurt but shampoos can not eliminate mites these require a trip to the vet
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Okay, could you tell me the main symptoms of mites? Someone said itchy flaky skin but other than the spot he bites his skin seems very clear
 
loss of fur, sore red skins and scabs are main symtoms. And the piggy itches and bites alot on its back.

Lice you can see near their skin if you pull the fur apart. They dont like light so like to wiggle closer to the skin. They are a creamy colour, horrible things!
 
moonie8404 said:
loss of fur, sore red skins and scabs are main symtoms. And the piggy itches and bites alot on its back.

Lice you can see near their skin if you pull the fur apart. They dont like light so like to wiggle closer to the skin. They are a creamy colour, horrible things!
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Thanks, I will try some lice shampoo to see if that helps his little problem. And if that doesn't seem to work then a trip to the vets I think would be in order.
 
stop! my guinea pig did the same, he just had a bath in normal shampoo and i groomed him every day, and i also bought a chube, he was just bored. exactly the same symptoms as yours, if you use medicated shampoo when they don't need it, it could irritate their skin further!:{
 
snugglesbaby said:
stop! my guinea pig did the same, he just had a bath in normal shampoo and i groomed him every day, and i also bought a chube, he was just bored. exactly the same symptoms as yours, if you use medicated shampoo when they don't need it, it could irritate their skin further!:{
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Okay I'll try that :))
 
I think it's possible that your piggy has got mites. The only treatment for mite is ivermec which you can only get from the vets. In any case I think it might be worth taking him to the vets to be safe anyway.
x
 
Laure said:
I think it's possible that your piggy has got mites. The only treatment for mite is ivermec which you can only get from the vets. In any case I think it might be worth taking him to the vets to be safe anyway.
x
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Yeah I think I'll ask my mum to get him checked while I'm at work tomorrow then if not I'll just shampoo and brush him
 
I would get him treated for mites, it is the most likely explanation and it starts on the back where they bite it a lot as it irritates them so much. It can cause open sores very quickly if not treated. The vet will prescribe ivermectin, either topical to put on the skin (2 doses 10 days apart) or some vets still use injection.

Chrissies stuff is great for lice and fungal but will not treat mites, only ivermectin can do that.
 
lavenderjade said:
I would get him treated for mites, it is the most likely explanation and it starts on the back where they bite it a lot as it irritates them so much. It can cause open sores very quickly if not treated. The vet will prescribe ivermectin, either topical to put on the skin (2 doses 10 days apart) or some vets still use injection.

Chrissies stuff is great for lice and fungal but will not treat mites, only ivermectin can do that.
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Thanks yeah I will deff take him for a little visit before the new piggy comes!
 
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