• 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

Covered In Dry Skin

Status
Not open for further replies.
Claire W

Claire W

Forum Donator 2025/26
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Messages
37,475
Reaction score
30,285
Points
2,915
Location
Lancashire (Originally from Nottingham)
This isn't exactly a health and illness question but I wasn't sure where else to put it.

Basically, my neutered boar, Edward is covered in dry skin. His coat looks normal until I rub my fingers through his fur and then his back is covered in skin flakes and he also has a greasy feel :(

I know for a fact that this is only dry skin as I have had him vet checked every time he goes to have his nails cut and his ladies do not have this problem. The last time he was checked was just last week

It's getting to the point where I can actually feel the dryness on his back even though his skin is nice and healthy looking.

I'm just concerned about his skin becoming sore if he keeps losing it?

To be honest, I highly suspect that the heat from the radiator isn't helping and he could probably do with a bath but does anyone have any suggestions? I only try and bathe them if it's absolutely necessary as Emma and Ellen both have bladder problems so bathing makes me anxious. I know that I could just bathe Edward but then he will smell different to the girls.

When it comes to bathing, I have Johnsons insecticide shampoo and Lice 'n' Easy after I became convinced they had hay mites last year which turned out to be a false alarm. But does anyone have any other suggestions?

This is him after a stroke today. It looks pretty bad but please believe me that he is not scratching and after I brushed him, it was gone and this is a regular thing

IMG_9889.webp
 
Last edited:
What about bathing him in Nizol or it's spelt something like that.
Perhaps someone could recommend something to rub in his skin, but I would have thought it would make the fur greasy, has the vet not recommended anything, but I think a bath would have to be a one off because it will dry his skin even more. How far in away from the radiator
@sport_billy
 
Last edited:
Tiamolly123 said:
What about bathing him in Nizol or it's spelt something like that.
Perhaps someone could recommend something to rub in his skin, but I would have thought it would make the fur greasy, has the vet not recommended anything, but I think a bath would have to be a one off because it will dry his skin even more. How far in away from the radiator
Click to expand...

She said that a small animal shampoo will do which does help in the short term, but it always comes back. And like you say, she has advised that I do not bathe him often due to drying out his skin further.
I asked about Malaseb which she once recommended and prescribed for one of my past piggies who had a mild fungal infection but she basically told me not to waste my money as Edward doesn't have a fungal infection, mites or lice. From my understanding, Malaseb can be harsh especially if it isn't needed?

Their cage isn't anywhere near the radiator but it is only a small box room that they are living in
 
All I know is Nizoll is a dandruff shampoo, but yes I thing it won't clear totally. Is there any chance you can move the piggies away from the radiator. Although I don't know what the weather is like with you, we haven't had the radiators on for ages, although it may be a idea for when it gets cold at the end of the year.
 
Nizoral is a fungal shampoo for humans, and it too is fairly harsh on guinea pig skin, @Tiamolly123 .

I would recommend to improve the humidity in the room and see if that changes the dry skin problem.
 
That's what I am wondering too. There is a large desk separating the guinea pigs from the radiator and we hardly ever close the door fully so they are not trapped in there with the radiator heat
 
Claire W said:
That's what I am wondering too. There is a large desk separating the guinea pigs from the radiator and we hardly ever close the door fully so they are not trapped in there with the radiator heat
Click to expand...

Still, dry air in the room can affect some piggies more than others. It is worth a try; you don't have to invest in a big humidifier for a trial.
 
Wiebke said:
Nizoral is a fungal shampoo for humans, and it too is fairly harsh on guinea pig skin, @Tiamolly123 .

I would recommend to improve the humidity in the room and see if that changes the dry skin problem.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will try that. The joys of living in a wet and cold part of the Country!

We already have a humidifier so I will put it in their room to see if it makes a difference :) I just feel sorry for them as it makes a lot of noise
 
I Hoover up about 3 times a day 2" away from my piggies, beacause of there hay & they're fine, they don't even wake up. Fingers crossed yours are the same. Lol
 
Claire W said:
Thank you. I will try that. The joys of living in a wet and cold part of the Country!

We already have a humidifier so I will put it in their room to see if it makes a difference :) I just feel sorry for them as it makes a lot of noise
Click to expand...

Just trying wet towels etc. in front of the radiator can make a difference. Or putting a bowl of steaming water next to the cage! ;)
 
I hope you manage to get it sorted Claire. I wonder if piggies can have the same good allergies that dogs can get to nugget food? I know my dog has to have grain free fancy stuff or his coat ends up exactly the same as your Edwards. Would be worth looking into if the humidity increase doesn't help.
 
Flutterby said:
I hope you manage to get it sorted Claire. I wonder if piggies can have the same good allergies that dogs can get to nugget food? I know my dog has to have grain free fancy stuff or his coat ends up exactly the same as your Edwards. Would be worth looking into if the humidity increase doesn't help.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Definitely something to look in to if the humidity doesn't help x
 
Tiamolly123 said:
All I know is Nizoll is a dandruff shampoo, but yes I thing it won't clear totally. Is there any chance you can move the piggies away from the radiator. Although I don't know what the weather is like with you, we haven't had the radiators on for ages, although it may be a idea for when it gets cold at the end of the year.
Click to expand...
If your talking about a people shampoo there one called nizoral (prob wrongly spelt) but it's quite strong?
 
How's his health generally & his weight? When my dental piggy first started having problems with her teeth I noticed her fur was quite flaky looking; Simon told me it was probably because she wasn't grooming herself properly so maybe your piggy has something else going on? Make a note of how much he washes himself, just in case x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
How's his health generally & his weight? When my dental piggy first started having problems with her teeth I noticed her fur was quite flaky looking; Simon told me it was probably because she wasn't grooming herself properly so maybe your piggy has something else going on? Make a note of how much he washes himself, just in case x
Click to expand...

Did your girls fur look like that all the time or only after you had been handling her? Edward only looks like that after I have been rubbing my fingers through his fur which goes back to looking shiny and healthy again after a brush.

His weight has stabilised at around 1100g and I often see him washing.

I really do hope there isn't something going on like that :( but I will keep a close eye on him x
 
Yes when I handled her it was like snow :( I never thought about it until Simon mentioned it & it actually improved once he did her teeth so there must be something in it. I actually realised after I hadn't seen her grooming herself as much either, hopefully it doesn't apply in his case, but it's something to be aware of x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Yes when I handled her it was like snow :( I never thought about it until Simon mentioned it & it actually improved once he did her teeth so there must be something in it. I actually realised after I hadn't seen her grooming herself as much either, hopefully it doesn't apply in his case, but it's something to be aware of x
Click to expand...

:( how old was your girl?

Edward isn't even two yet.

I have given him a good brush and he is looking mighty fine now but I will definitely be keeping a close eye on him x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Yes when I handled her it was like snow :( I never thought about it until Simon mentioned it & it actually improved once he did her teeth so there must be something in it. I actually realised after I hadn't seen her grooming herself as much either, hopefully it doesn't apply in his case, but it's something to be aware of x
Click to expand...

:( how old is your girl?

Edward isn't even two yet.

I have given him a good brush and he is looking mighty fine now but I will definitely be keeping a close eye on him x
 
Sorry @ClaireW l don't know what else to suggest, l have had piggies who also have skin flakes like this. Bathing is likely to dry the skin more. Hopefully things will settle with the increased humidity x
 
pig in the city said:
Sorry @ClaireW l don't know what else to suggest, l have had piggies who also have skin flakes like this. Bathing is likely to dry the skin more. Hopefully things will settle with the increased humidity x
Click to expand...

Thank you. Yes, my vet was in agreement and only advised to bath him in mild small animal shampoo if that's what I wanted although she didn't think it necessary.

I'm pretty sure the constant weather changes we are having isn't helping. I tried leaving the heating off in their room but then I just worry about them getting cold.

But his skin is nice and pink anyway so I'm not too worried :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top