• 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

Crusty nose/mouth?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Piggie_X
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Piggie_X

Hi everyone, I'm really sorry if this question has already been posted elsewhere. I recently bought two piggies from pets at home, they were both fine and seemed to have settled in well. a few days later one of the piggies died without any signs... I took the cagemate to the vet just to make sure she hadnt got what the other one had and the vet said she was fine, so I got her a friend. its now two weeks later and the original one now seems to have some sort of brownish scab on her nose and browny scabs around her mouth... i intend on taking her to the vet but i just wondered if anyone had any idea what this could be as none of the books etc seem to help.... *is worried* xx
 
I sounds like the mouth sores on the gorgeous guineas gallery - either a fungal or bacterial infection. Best have her seen by the vet.
http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/photogallery.html

If you get a guinea pig from doubtful sources (pet shop, backyard breeder) you'd do well to quarantaine any piggy for at least 3-4 weeks to make sure that no infectious diseases are transmitted. You need to keep any new, suspect guinea pig in another room and clean, feed and cuddle only after all the others, so you cannot carry anything to them.

Perhaps you may think about rehoming from reputable specialist rescues from now on - they take care to only to rehome healthy, properly sexed and guaranteed not pregnant guinea pigs.

Many pet shop animals are not from this country and are transported over large distances in cramped conditions where infections can easily spread. Not all pet shops do take their care seriously, either.
 
Last edited:
I agree with Wiebke - best to get her checked by a vet - ringworm often starts as sore/scabs around the eyes, nose and mouth.

Teresa xx
 
I'm sorry you lost one of your guinea pigs, that's very sad. :( Hopefully the vet can put you on the right track with treatment for the sores. It's good that you're getting help so quickly. Let us know how you get on.
I have pet shop guinea pigs and think I have been very lucky considering the problems some others have had.
Hope you enjoy the forum. :)
 
Here is more info on ringworm (fungus) - it's very contagious and quite common in shop piggies: http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

PS: I started out with shop piggies, too. Mine were not ill, but doubled in number within a few weeks...
 
Welcome to the forum, Piggie X, I am so sorry you lost one of your guineas so suddenly, and now to have one ill as well.

After reading your post, the first thought that came to my mind was cheilitis:

http://www.guinealynx.info/cheilitis.html

It is possible it could be a fungal infection, rather than bacterial, especially given the rise in skin conditions with the warmer weather, but it could be either.

I would recommend a topical cream at least in the meantime to treat the problem. I have not used the following cream myself on my own guineas but I have heard good reports about it, and Gorgeous Guineas is reputable in their advice; it may be worth a try and it is safe to use around the eyes, nose and mouth:
http://www.gorgeousguineas.co.uk/p/product/0703086894-Galen's+Garden+Green+Cream+Trial+Size:+15gms/
 
I love Galens Garden Green Cream. It is a good all rounder for minor cuts, scrapes and moisturising. Hope your piggy is ok. xx
 
Sorry you lost one of your pigs and have found yourself in this position, with another poorly piggy. You've had a rough time of it!

You obviously care about them - seeking out good advice, getting quick veterinary care and making sure that your bereaved piggy wasn't lonely, so you're doing the right thing.

I agree with Wiebke that pet shops are generally not the best place to buy animals from, but I didn't really know about all that until coming here. Lots of us here also started out with shop bought piggies (including myself), before learning about how many pet shops operate and also finding out about the many rescue guinea pigs already needing a second chance. All are genuinely very welcome here but, as it's a pro-rescue forum, lots of people here prefer to rehome rescue piggies, rather than buying from pet shops/breeders....just their personal choice.

Anyway I really hope you're able to get a firm diagnosis of your guinea pig's skin problem so you can get it treated quickly. Good luck with that. If you need help finding a good Vet then this is a good place to ask x
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top