Dry patch on back

[HerronCavies]

Hello,
We just got a New baby Guinea pig with a dry patch on her back (see attached pic). We have another piggy that is a year old and want to make sure it is not contagious. We can’t take her to the vet until after Christmas so I thought I would see if anyone had seen this type of patch before. Any suggestions?

 

[Lady Kelly]

It rather looks like fungal to me but could be from scratching due to mites or lice also. It does need a vet to correctly diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment. In the UK most vets are open for at least half a day on Christmas Eve so if you can get in I would do so asap. If it is fungal it is highly contagious and your other piggy and any other humans and animals in the house could catch it

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
We just got a New baby Guinea pig with a dry patch on her back (see attached pic). We have another piggy that is a year old and want to make sure it is not contagious. We can’t take her to the vet until after Christmas so I thought I would see if anyone had seen this type of patch before. Any suggestions?

Hi!

Please have your piggies vet checked. Pet shop will cover health problems in newly purchased pets for a certain time (differs between countries).
You can find the particulars about the period, which illnesses typically to look out for etc. in this very useful link here. Please DO NOT home treat on spec! Ringworm (highly transmittable fungal infection that you can also catch) and mange mites (invisible skin parasites that burrow their eggs in the skin and can be potentially lethal) can look very similar in the early stages but require different treatment. We cannot diagnose (nor are we qualified) reliably without a hands-on examination. The link also contains further links to more information about particular illnesses.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

This guide is part of our new owners' guide collection, which you will hopefully find very helpful and interesting for as good a start as possible. We are specifically addressing all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
As has been said you do need a vet check as soon as possible.
It’s always difficult during the holiday season.
Hope everything is ok

 

[HerronCavies]

It rather looks like fungal to me but could be from scratching due to mites or lice also. It does need a vet to correctly diagnose the problem and provide appropriate treatment. In the UK most vets are open for at least half a day on Christmas Eve so if you can get in I would do so asap. If it is fungal it is highly contagious and your other piggy and any other humans and animals in the house could catch it

Thank you! We will take her in ASAP!

 

[HerronCavies]

Welcome to the forum.
As has been said you do need a vet check as soon as possible.
It’s always difficult during the holiday season.
Hope everything is ok

Thank you! We will take her in ASAP!