Hi All I have been looking online for some info regarding my little guinea and found this site and am hoping someone can give me some advise as I have read may different answers and dont know if I am coming or going! Basically I had two long haired guineas since March 2010. Unfortunately one died without warning at the beginning of this summer. The remaining one has seemed ok since. We have also (in July) adopted 2 rabbits (kept seperate). Last week I noticed something like a scab on the guineas back right in the middle where his fur parts down the centre. In the hair near the skin around the scab is what looks like dandruff. Nothing else can be seen anywhere. He is eating and drinking and squeaks as usual when he hears me coming. He has a newspaper lined cage outside with hay. About two months ago I did start using shredded paper from work as well. I have an appointment at the vet on Tuesday but have some questions I am hoping for answers to. So far from what I have learnt online it could be either ringworm, mites or a fungal infection? Obviously I know ringworm is contagious to humans does anyone know if the other two are? Also does anyone have any other ideas? I am also dubious about the vet visit as I gather most vets are not familiar with guineas. (I have gone to my usual vet but they have a small pet specialist apparently).
Thanks in advance sorry for the long winded message! p
Hi and welcome to the forum. It could indeed me mites,fungal or ringworm. Mites are not infectious to humans but can cause dermatitis. They are contagious to your rabbits though.
Mites or fungal are most likely, your vet should be able to diagnose and appropriately treat either of these conditions even if they are not particularly cavy savvy. Guinealynx is a good website for medical advice - http://www.guinealynx.info/index.html. Ringworm is a particular kind of fungal infection and as you rightly said is transmissable between different species, other fungal infections are not so contagious but it's advisable to implicate strict hygiene controls when dealing with fungal infections to prevent spread of spores and recurrence. You don't need to worry about mites passing to humans but I would check your bunnies though as some parasites are cross-species.
It would also be recommended to find a companion for your pig once the health issues have resolved, if you let us know your location then people will be able to suggest approved rescue centres which could help you with the bonding process.
it could possibly be a condition called broken back,which is caused by too much "heating food" such as barley,maize (which looks like cornflakes)
can you post a clear close up picture?
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