Does Duncan Have Mites?

[TheCavySlave]

I can't tell if he's scratching an unusual amount but let me try and explain. On his bum (which he doesn't like us touching, he squeaks and kicks) he has...um, it's like a tiny black dot and the skin around it seems flakey. It's like there's a tiny bald patch under all his fur with this tiny tiny black spot, and I'm not sure if it's painful. What should we do? His fur in general looks thick and healthy.

EDIT: I've been searching through his fur and it could be my imagination but he might have tiny bald patches that are hard to see. I think he does, but I can't be sure. I'll have to check him over some more
I checked Godfrey over and he kept doing unhappy purrs, like short "brr"s, I think Duncan did too. Is it having their fur ruffled or is it painful?

 

[Dorothy&Coco]

When the girls had mites they had dandruffy skin to which you could see if you pushed their fur the wrong way ifykwim. Dorothy also had the tell tale V on her back. They also scratched more than normal. If you are worried probably best to have him checked by a vet.

 

[Swissgreys]

When Eddi had mites he got very upset when we ruffled his fur and actually tried to nip me, which is totally out of character.
He also had small bald patches and was very itchy.
We never saw any mites (even under a microscope) but after treatment with Xeno he was a much happier boy!
Well until he got fungal and had to have his butt shaved

 

[Doragon]

Definitely worth checking with a vet if there's any suspicion of mites! Hopefully it's a minor case and it'll be promptly cleared up

 

[Claire W]

My Edward has a flakey back and he hates his fur on his bum being ruffled. However, he was bullied before coming to me which we think is the reason why he hates being touched there.

He has been vet checked and doesn't have mites thankfully but it's always worth a vet check if you're not sure x

 

[Wiebke]

I can't tell if he's scratching an unusual amount but let me try and explain. On his bum (which he doesn't like us touching, he squeaks and kicks) he has...um, it's like a tiny black dot and the skin around it seems flakey. It's like there's a tiny bald patch under all his fur with this tiny tiny black spot, and I'm not sure if it's painful. What should we do? His fur in general looks thick and healthy.

EDIT: I've been searching through his fur and it could be my imagination but he might have tiny bald patches that are hard to see. I think he does, but I can't be sure. I'll have to check him over some more
I checked Godfrey over and he kept doing unhappy purrs, like short "brr"s, I think Duncan did too. Is it having their fur ruffled or is it painful?

Is the tiny black patch where his grease gland would be?
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

Please be aware that mange mites are NOT visible to the naked eye. They lay their eggs into the skin, which causes the painful, intense itching and skin biting.
Hay/fur mites fix their eggs to the hairs at the bum; you can see those as tiny dark specks on the hairs. Again, the mites themselves are pretty much invisible although they are a bit larger. Because the skin is not as affected, piggies are usually not as itchy.

Please see a vet for the correct diagnosis. Alternative issues can be fungal, which needs different treatment but can look very similar in the early stages.
When treating for a skin problem, you need to always finish a several rounds course; one off treatment won't do the trick. You also shouldn't treat on spec with a low-dosed broad spectrum shop product that can cause more harm than good.

As a good piggy owner, you have likely discovered the problem right at the beginning before it is really showing any clearer symptoms as to its nature.

 

[TheCavySlave]

Thanks! Mum has a friend who is a vet and apparently is exotic (an exotic vet, not an exotic person!) and she'll see the pigs for free and quickly check them over. The tiny black dot is like a speck, probably like the tip of a blunt needle, it's tiny. Could the bald patches be from when they fought and fur came out? Godfey actually ATE a piece of Duncan's fur he tore out during the fight. Like a victorious warrior.

 

[Wiebke]

All we can do is guess with just your descriptions. Only a vet can make a proper diagnosis when they see and can handle Godfrey.