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Boris Has On-going Dry Skin Issues

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LydiaMinx

LydiaMinx

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I'm pretty sure I've asked about this before, but 'm still absolutely baffled by this. Boris has always had flakey skin since I adopted him (only from PAH) in August 2012, since this time he and Badger (who live next to eachother) have been extensively treated for fungal issues - mainly due to a ringworm outbreak - and parasites. Badger has perfect skin so anything that can be caught is thoroughly ruled out with the fact no treatment for anything has worked.

Boris has hair sometimes come out in pairs, with a small bit of skin attached at the end . I've read this can happen with fungal and mites, but again, both have been treated extensively just in case. He also acts irritated if you scratch his hind area (where the flakey skin is at its worst), so we avoid touching it. I'm pretty convinced this is simply a genetic issue, as with dry skin in humans, as I've tried literally everything I can think of to shift it.

They only get bathed twice a year (Maximum, normally once when their grease glands get smelly) and I use Kind 'n' Gentle by Gorgeous Guineas so I don't irritate the skin more.

Other reasons I can think of for this dry skin are:
  • Allergy to bedding/hay/dust or some other irritant
  • Vitamin/mineral deficiency (but as Badger has no health issues at all I'm doubting this)
  • Bad breeding

Anyone else had a piggy with dry skin for no reason? Or a very obscure reason? Thanks again guys!
 
What breed is Badger? Teddies are well know for having similar skin issues due to their dense coat with bad ventilation. I have certainly been round the houses with my Nerys, so I know the feeling of frustration.
 
Both Boris and Badger are just standard shorthairs I believe, Boris is a mis-marked himi though, so I'm not sure if they're more prone to skin problems like Teddies? Badger has had no skin issues thankfully :)
 
He's currently on Finacard, but they've been on Fitch, fleece and sawdust and hay previously. I did think it could be a bedding allergy so I'm giving fleece another go, help save some money too!
 
I did have a long Haired Guinea with a similar condition, I tried everything with bedding including, cat litter, pellets, fleece, straw etc, I never got to the bottom of it before he passed though, My daughters Guinea at the minute has the same and is being bathed with Nizoral every 2 days, using a small amount, and this seems to be helping, and his hair is now growing back, we did stop bathing him but within a week it was back, so back to bathing for the likke guy
 
Have you tried some other Gorgeous Guineas products? and also email Chrissy if you haven't already, she's very knowledgeable and helpful. I use the coconeem melt, then manuka and neem shampoo on my piggies - this was for a fungal problem which fingers crossed seems to have cleared up now but it is very kind for their skin. And also the Kwench lotion seems to work for just about anything. There is a equine product called Camrosa which can be used on guinea pigs and may be worth researching or maybe trying. good luck!
 
I emailed Chrissy about a year ago I believe, I bought some of the Coconeem melt along with my shampoo and used it on Boris as it was recommended and it really did help for a time but the dry skin came back eventually :( It's very confusing, as there is no excessive hair loss and I've never spotted bald or sore looking patches. The skin itself doesn't even look sore, just like dandruff on a person! I'm determined to get to the bottom of this!
 
ah i see, that must be so frustrating. what happens if you leave it and don't put anything on the skin? Maybe a topical moisturiser applied as needed would help, Kwench or Camrosa or even just Vaseline?
 
@Hannah Boyd does Chrissy sell Kwench lotion or am I thinking of totally the wrong place?! I've considered applying cream but I've always been hesitant for fear of making it worse! And @Guinea-pigGaga I haven't! What kinds of things are pigs able to be allergic to?
 
@LydiaMinx yes Chrissie sells Kwench, its very good - not sticky/smelly or greasy. although does leave white hair a funny shade of yellow! It seems soothing and the pigs sit still while applying so it must be good!
 
@LydiaMinx - I think a food allergy would be worth considering. However, I imagine that it will be quite difficult to identify the allergen. What do you currently feed Badger, and Boris?!
 
I would be tempted to restrict Boris' diet - I would offer timothy hay, and supplement vitamin C. . . If there is an improvement after a couple of weeks, I would re-introduce fresh food, and/or a new dry feed (One of the grain-free varieties, perhaps). . .

@helen105281
 
Grain free pellets are a good idea, my Phoebe had skin issues and they did improve when we switched to grainless and they are much easier for them to process. I feed Bunny but other options are Vitakraft Emotion or J R Farms grainless (all from Zooplus). I also only feed about 5 pellets to each pig a day (they are bigger than standard pellets though).
 
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