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Curious About Guinea Pig

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Natasha

Natasha

Junior Guinea Pig
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My guinea pig is constantly scratching and biting his backside... I had him to the vet and he ruled out mites and give him a clean bill of health... Whenever I try to look or pet him in that location he begins to fidgot and start biting...his fur is black and white and the black fur looks like dandruff... Is there any suggestions?
 
Was the vet knowledgeable in guinea pigs? I would seek a second opinion.
 
Oh I see! That is difficult. It really sounds like mites to me as lice do not create itchyness so I cannot see how shampoo will help.
 
I agree with @piggyfan that mites sound like the cause, however if your vet was convinced it wasn't mites (I'd still maybe get them to check again, you can never be to sure) I can personally recommend Gorgeous Guineas helping with itchy pigs :) My boar Boris has always had dry skin, he's had parasites and ringworm since I've had him and recieved veterinary treatment for both so I could rule them both out - he just had dandruff, like some people.

His wasn't visible in the fur (he's white) but when he shook his fur he'd shed skin, I bought the Aloe Melt and Lavender shampoo from GG and he's not had a flake of dry skin since (this was maybe 2 months ago now), so if you're certain it isn't anything else, Gorgeous Guineas is amazing for getting rid of the flakes!
 
Hi, poor thing sounds like he is uncomfortable and I think it could be mites though fungal is a possibility too which would explain the flakes, however, this could be skin debris caused by mange mites. It is also possible for him to have a combination mites and fungal problem. Do you know which type of mites the vet checked for? I think you do need to go back to the vets and ask again. Treatment for mange mites is usually with Ivermectin and a course of 3 injections a week to 10 days apart is best. I think Ivermectin is called the same thing outside the UK. I would also ask the vet about some pain relief for him too as mange mites can make them very sore.
 
The funny thing is is that he isn't uncomfortable... There are no signs of him being distressed and all his behaviors are exactly the same except for the flakes and scratching
 
It is the fact that he is sensitive when you touch him that makes me think it's mites.
 
That does not look normal. Poor piggie I'm no vet but that certainly looks like something has upset his skin either mange mites or fungal most likely.

I would ask your vet for ivermectin or failing that buy some online. It is not a precription only medicine so you can order it yourself. Xeno is a good make, however injections from a vet tend to work better than spot on.

it is def worth going back again if only to insist on some medication. If it is fungal ivermectin wont work and you would need an oral fungal treatment from the vet and possibly topical treatment too.
 
Oh that looks very sore and there is definitely a skin condition there. It could be mange mites but it could also be fungal as the skin is very fluoresced. You definitely need to go back to your vet as he needs a proper diagnosis so that the right treatment can be given. Even if it is mites spot on is unlikely to be effective in this instance.
 
sorry I haven't gotten back to everyone sooner but I'm happy to report that Oreo is doing much better...his fur has grown back and he is doing less scratching. I checked back with the vet and he told me that his check for mites was clean and he had no sign of a fungal... so he recommended to give him a bath with some sensitive skin shampoo and that maybe my previous shampoo was a factor so i did and within a couple of days he was scratching less and growing his fur back :)
 
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