• 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

Clumps Of Hair - Mites?

Status
Not open for further replies.
katanamoon

katanamoon

Photo Competition Winner
Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
2,302
Reaction score
3,332
Points
1,235
Location
Gloucester
I recently noticed a few little clumps of hair with dry skin attached coming off Widget when I stroke her and on closer inspection, there isn't any baldness but there are some dry scaly bits at the base of her hair in a very small area on her lower back/rump area, where the hair comes out very easily. I have a vet appointment tomorrow but any suggestions as to what this is so I can prepare myself?

She isn't itchy, eats fine and weighs in at around 1100g. She is a very worried girl - the complete opposite of sister Pixel - but otherwise happy.
 
It would be rather fungal than mites; with mange mites, hair is typically broken halfway down the stem whereas with fungal issues (and there is a wide range apart from ringworm), hair comes out stuck in larger skin flakes.
 
I'm certain it isn't ringworm, based on my last disastrous encounter, so that's something I suppose! The other two seem fine and hopefully it can be easily managed. Poor Widge - she has the kind of worried face that has Seen Things so will definitely be taking a paw-holder along tomorrow!
 
At the worst, it can just be some dry skin, especially if they are in a newly heated room, but whatever it is, it is likely a much milder form than ringworm.
 
Widget saw the vet today, who had a good look over her and said that the crusty bits/hair clumps were most very likely to be some sort of bacterial infection. Apparently she's otherwise in perfect health so I am to bath her from just below her shoulders onwards (which covers the affected area and beyond a bit) in Malaseb every three days for a few weeks, unless it doesn't help in which case I should take her in again for tests. The vet was fairly certain that it wasn't mites or ringworm so hopefully the Malaseb will do the trick!
 
katanamoon said:
Widget saw the vet today, who had a good look over her and said that the crusty bits/hair clumps were most very likely to be some sort of bacterial infection. Apparently she's otherwise in perfect health so I am to bath her from just below her shoulders onwards (which covers the affected area and beyond a bit) in Malaseb every three days for a few weeks, unless it doesn't help in which case I should take her in again for tests. The vet was fairly certain that it wasn't mites or ringworm so hopefully the Malaseb will do the trick!
Click to expand...

Poor little Widget. I hope the bathing does the trick. Good luck with that.
 
Is it near where a guineapigs tail is meant to be because if it is its the tail producing a oil which is impossible to get off and is slightly waxy (usually black in colour) and yes it dose cause fur to fall out in clumps as its all stuck together. If its not I wish her luck x
 
Good luck with the bathing, hope it's going ok. Does Widget take her baths in silence or do you get the whole dramatic 'Mummy is drowning me' wheeking?

My left arm is covered in scratches and scrapes from my boys desperately trying to climb out of the bowl I've been bathing them in.

They've had a rough time of it over the last few weeks... baths for mites, ring worm treatment with Surolan for one twice daily for one, and the final indignity - a ringworm dip treatment for them both.
 
Aww bless them, I hope everything clears up soon @Tewdric :( Widget is being a very good girl, although I suspect from the horrified look on her poor little face and the way she makes her legs go as long as she possibly can to avoid getting her tummy wet that she's just mortified into silence!

@ASTRID good shout, but unfortunately the vet found a few little dry areas all up her back where the hair comes out.

On the plus side, the baffs have made her bum hair lovely and shiny! :))
 
katanamoon said:
On the plus side, the baffs have made her bum hair lovely and shiny! :))
Click to expand...

I agree, they're lovely and glossy after their scrubbing.

Shame mine have gone off cuddle time a bit since they’ve started on their treatment. They’ll happily take treats from me through the bars of their cage and run, but if I go to catch them potential bath panic sets in!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top