Does Anyone Know What This Is?

[guinea-iggg]

Hiya,
I got my guinea pig yesterday and he's 10 weeks old. I was going to post a picture on here to get advice about what the little patches are that he has but I can't seem to be able to do it so I'll explain them as best I can. There are three patches one on his nose, one kind of on his cheek below his eye and around his left eye. He doesn't seem to like me touching near the areas. They look like scabs. I didn't no whether it could have been where he was in an altercation with the previous guinea pigs he lived with or not. He is very small compared to his brother that we have who is the same age. Sorry I couldn't show a picture probably would have been easier. Iv had long haired guinea pigs previously.

Thank you

 

[helen105281]

It is difficult to say without seeing a photo. Yes it could be war wounds from a fight but it could also be ringworm or some other type of fungal infection or he could have mites and these are the result of him scratching. I would get him checked by a vet to rule out fungal or mites. You are very lucky living in Northampton as you have access to the top piggy vet in the country - Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[guinea-iggg]

It is difficult to say without seeing a photo. Yes it could be war wounds from a fight but it could also be ringworm or some other type of fungal infection or he could have mites and these are the result of him scratching. I would get him checked by a vet to rule out fungal or mites. You are very lucky living in Northampton as you have access to the top piggy vet in the country - Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[helen105281]

My gut reaction here is fungal, maybe ringworm but the light in the photo may be distorting it. I would definitely get him checked out, preferably by Simon if you can.

 

[guinea-iggg]

That's the only picture he would let me take but you can kind of see it

 

[helen105281]

I am about 80% sure it looks fungal but it does need a proper diagnosis by a vet.

 

[guinea-iggg]

OK I'll get him booked in. Thank you so much. Will his brother get it?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Definitely make an appointment to see Simon. 01604 478888. He is brilliant at dealing with skin problems, well he's brilliant at dealing with anything piggy related, or cat or rabbit related. A very talented man!

 

[helen105281]

It is possible yes, so best to take him along too. Any treatment should ideally be for both pigs. Simon may recommend a topical cream and I would also recommend dips in Imaverol (Enilconazole) too which you can get from Hyperdrug. They can also have oral fungal medication such as Itrafungol.

If it is ringworm or any type of fungal then hygiene is key, I recommend getting an antifungal discinfectant like F10 and also their handgel and change your clothes after handling as it can pass to humans and other animals.

Please note that ringworm tends to look worse before it gets better.