Crusty Bit On Lip?

[guineapigemily]

I noticed one of my pigs has a little bit of crusty bits on his bottom lip. its only a little bit and it may be because he had too many carrots yesterday. It doesn't look red or anything but i just wondered if theres anything i can put on it to make it clear up. I believe he's had it before ages ago and that cleared up within a few days.

 

[Wiebke]

Please make sure that you are not dealing with cheilitis. It clears up well, but as it can be caused by either fungal or bacteria getting into the cracks in lip and mouth, you may want to have it checked by a vet if it is recurring. You may also want to look at fruit acids in your piggy diet.
http://www.guinealynx.info/cheilitis.html

 

[guineapigemily]

Oh i didnt know that. i just assumed it was from the veggies. I checked out the link and on my guinea pigs lip it is an extremely light yellow and only on a tiny bit on his bottom lip. I should be taking him too the vets soon for a check up so i shall see what they think. Okay, i shall do some research. I feed them Pets at home nuggets and veggies pretty much everyday, if they dont get veggies one day they will definitely get some the next. I don't really feed many fruits, mainly once a week or two and its normally tomatos or apple Lastly, could a forage cause sores? thankyou for your reply

 

[Wiebke]

No, the culprits are the tomatoes (which count as fruit in that respect) and apples! Please do not put fruit (whichever) more than twice a week at the most on the menu. For the time being, it would be good to cut them out completely.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

 

[guineapigemily]

Ah okay. I am always wary when i feed fruit as of course it can either be sugary or acidic, so i tend to give about a quarter of a baby tomato each or a thumbnail sized piece (if that makes sense). Okay, i will definitely do that thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Sometimes it is less a problem with the amount than with how often it is on the menu. Some piggies are more prone to it than others.

 

[guineapigemily]

Ah i see. The other guinea pig has never got it so i guess as you said, Sam may just be more susceptible to it. Also do you know anything that i could put on his lip to sooth it or it it best to just let it clear up itself?

 

[Wiebke]

I would ask a vet what you can put on, seeing that it is the lips. Most stuff should not be ingested and your vet needs to decide whether he's rather treat for fungal or bacterial.

 

[guineapigemily]

Okay. Yeah, i thought i should ask first as i don't want him to lick it off or anything. okay, thsnkyou for your help

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!