-
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
Bumps on skinny pig
- Thread starter Amandav33
- Start date
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Tagging @PigglePuggle @HeatherRose @Flutterby
You’re better off taking him to a vet for a check. You can post a photo if you want but we can’t diagnose online.
You’re better off taking him to a vet for a check. You can post a photo if you want but we can’t diagnose online.
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
I’ve no experience with skinnies hence why I tagged those three above. If he’s scratching definitely get him a vet appointment.
Where are you located (please add to your profile)? And is he alone?
Where are you located (please add to your profile)? And is he alone?
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
That looks sore as at least one bump looks open so he needs to see a vet.
He never had this until I changed his bedding maybe an allergic reaction
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
That does look very sore. Please try to get him an appointment as soon as possible.
Also be aware that guinea pigs aren’t meant to live alone. They need the constant company of their own kind - be it in the same cage or as neighbours. Their interaction goes beyond just having another piggy there.
However much you interact with him, it can’t replace or compare to the company of another piggy. You can’t speak his ‘language’. So please seriously consider getting him a friend. Either another male, preferably the result of boar dating. Or have him neutered and get him a wifey after the six week wait.
Also be aware that guinea pigs aren’t meant to live alone. They need the constant company of their own kind - be it in the same cage or as neighbours. Their interaction goes beyond just having another piggy there.
However much you interact with him, it can’t replace or compare to the company of another piggy. You can’t speak his ‘language’. So please seriously consider getting him a friend. Either another male, preferably the result of boar dating. Or have him neutered and get him a wifey after the six week wait.
Should I take his bedding out because it didn't start until then have had him for 2 months
Just paper bedding the old stuff was colored and this stuff is not
I just took the old betting out and put fleece blankets in will keep you updated going to take him to the vet tomorrow to get his nails trimmed
I change his bedding every Thursday and yes I did get them from a pet store the old bedding I was using was coloured paper the stuff was not and it's more dustier so I'm just wondering if he's just having an allergic reaction I just taken that bedding out and put fleece blankets in for now but taking him to the vet tomorrow to get his nails trimmed
I started noticing the sores this morning
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Make sure that there’s something under the fleece to absorb the wee. Also, sometimes pet shop piggies can come with ‘hidden’ illnesses that may not necessarily show up straight away.
Is the vet experienced with guinea pigs?
Is the vet experienced with guinea pigs?
I have puppy training pads to absorb the wee wee and I'm not sure I will find out he is a very popular vet here
I have also put use coconut oil on him and just now I've put a little bit of polysporin on the open sores
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
What is polysporin? I wouldn’t use anything at home on him that’s not been prescribed or recommended by your vet. It’s best not to home treat. Same goes for the coconut oil.
You'll have better advise in the morning. I have to sleep now. Let us know what the vet says.
PS you could check on the website to see if they’re experienced with piggies. I’ve linked a list of vets on the guinea lynx website below. And attached a photo of rescues in Ontario. Also on the guinea lynx site.
Veterinarians: Canada - Guinea Lynx Records
You'll have better advise in the morning. I have to sleep now. Let us know what the vet says.
PS you could check on the website to see if they’re experienced with piggies. I’ve linked a list of vets on the guinea lynx website below. And attached a photo of rescues in Ontario. Also on the guinea lynx site.
Veterinarians: Canada - Guinea Lynx Records
Last edited:
It's an ointment to treat open wounds and it is safe for skinny pigs
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Was it recommended by a vet? Or at the pet shop?
It doesn't matter it's recommended for pets and humans for any open sores all pets
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
My question still stands. And I think it does matter especially if not recommended by a vet. I would just clean the open wounds with saline solution. Either buy or make up your own. But I think you’ll just go ahead with the polysporin. Your choice.
It does matter. You should never put anything on them until they have been seen by a vet. You don’t know what you are treating and whether the product may actually do more harm than good in the particular circumstance.
@Siikibam ’s advice above is also correct in that he should not be alone. They are herd animals who require company from their own kind to stop them from getting lonely and to enable to live a completely happy live. No amount of human contact will ever replace company of their own kind.
Black piggies
Senior Guinea Pig
The reason why that matters is because pet shops routinely give wrong and very damaging advice about guinea pigs, and don't always look after them properly. And if vets aren't experienced with guinea pigs, they can sometimes not do the right thing for your pet. It's the hardest thing about having a guinea pig. This site makes up for all the bad advice out there.
And your pigs immune system will be weaker with the stress of living alone.
It's good you've tried a bedding change just in case that was a trigger, you obviously care and your piggy looks very sore, I hope the vet can treat your piggy's skin.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
It also matters as home treatments can make a small difference to conditions but not cure them, this in turn can mask conditions and make it much harder for even the good vets to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment
A bedding change would be a first step in order to work out whether it is really the cause. but please do not expect immediate results. allergies can flare up quickly but they are usually much slower to settle down.
However, the skin has open sores and needs still to be seen by a vet because of the infection risk in case the bedding change is coincidental and not the cause. Please do not treat on spec with potentially unsuitable products that make the discomfort even worse.
Here are our tips and issues you need to be aware of when caring for single guinea pigs:
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (includes a chapter about what species needs single guinea pigs project onto you and how this comes out in daily life/how to recognise those needs and deal with them in a social framework that makes sense to your guinea pig)
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs
Pigwig123
New Born Pup
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2020
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 12
- Points
- 145
I think he may be allergic to the bedding. I think you should take him to a vet.