Dry skin, unhappy piggies

[Guin3@pigz81]

I have guinea pigs that are loosing some of their hair and have some sore skin where they are scratching, can anyone recommend what kind of hay I should use to help them not get dry skin. I'm concerned there could be mites by the dust too.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum.

Please see a vet for diagnosis and treatment - this could be caused by mites (mange or hay mites), lice or even ringworm (if they’ve got sore patches and losing hair then ringworm is a possibility) for example, all of which need proper treatment.

Hay itself does not cause dry skin so changing the hay won’t resolve this.
However if your hay source is a cause of a diagnosed case of mites then you do need to change it but changing the hay alone won’t resolve this issue.

While we cannot diagnose anything, you could add a picture of the sore patches and we may be able to help a little further.
Should you be concerned that this does look like ringworm you must take stringent hygiene measures due to the risk of spreading it to yourself, family members and any other animals you may have

Please don’t be tempted to use low dosed pet shop products on spec. Please do get a diagnosis from a vet and treat it properly from the beginning - particularly if it does turn out to be ringworm; Spores can live in the environment for two years and cause reinfection, so treating it and disinfecting properly promptly can stop it becoming too long a running saga.

I’ve added in some guides which cover all the potential causes for dry skin/itching/sore patches to explain more about the treatments and disinfection processes which could be needed following diagnosis

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

 

[Wheekallweek]

Agreed - it's less likely to be the hay and more likely to be fungal/parasitic. A vet will be able to confirm which and what treatment is required

 

[weepweeps]

I have guinea pigs that are loosing some of their hair and have some sore skin where they are scratching, can anyone recommend what kind of hay I should use to help them not get dry skin. I'm concerned there could be mites by the dust too.

Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope your piggies are soon feeling much better.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I echo the advice to see a vet for a proper diagnosis and any treatment needed.
Holding you in my thoughts