• 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

Cut On Neck

Status
Not open for further replies.
Kate187

Kate187

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 8, 2014
Messages
146
Reaction score
99
Points
245
Location
West Midlands
I was holding my girl Katniss when I noticed two small cuts on the back of her neck. There is some dried blood on there and it looks a few days old but clean. It didn't seem to hurt when I touched it.

My first thought was that my other guin Primrose had bitten her, as she's been quite moody lately (the last week or so, I've only had them 5 weeks) doing lots of rumblestrutting. However I've never seen her even nip Katniss, and they generally seem to get on well. I've never seen any teeth chattering, raised fur or other warning signs except the rumblestrutting. They happily sit next to each other to eat out of the bowl, sharing food, and always choose to sleep in the same house. They have a big enough cage (according to this site's guidelines). Both do lots of running round and popcorning in the evening and Katniss is gaining weight and seems happy.

I also can't see any bald spots and she doesn't seem to be scratching excessively. My thoughts at the moment are to leave it a few days and monitor both girls' behaviour and also her fur/skin condition. Is this the right thing to do or should I take her straight to a vet?

Thanks x
 
I would monitor as well - it could be either the beginning of fungal or an accidental scratch.
 
Ok thanks, I'm definitely going to monitor closely. If anything else appears I'll take her straight to the vet. I thought mites as my hamster had it and cut himself scratching but Katniss has no bald patches and isn't scratching loads.
 
Kate187 said:
Ok thanks, I'm definitely going to monitor closely. If anything else appears I'll take her straight to the vet. I thought mites as my hamster had it and cut himself scratching but Katniss has no bald patches and isn't scratching loads.
Click to expand...

It is rather ringworm that can start out as a scabby scratch; on the neck it can be either. If it is fungal or mires, you should see more within a day or two.
 
Update: I've been checking Katniss' neck every night. The cut has basically gone, and there is just a small smooth circular bald patch where it was. There is no scabieness/dry skin and it doesn't look red or sore. The girls are still getting on fine and both have healthy fur. Very strange but I'm glad they seem fine!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top