Emergency!

[dannif_piggies]

I only joined today and I'm full of questions
But Ive just had my two guineas out for play time, after doing Willows health check, I noticed a tiny amount of crust on it! Ive never had issues before like this, is this something to be concerned about I.e a URI? Or what? Idk what to do, the vets are now closed, she's only 13 weeks old should I separate her from Honey tonight?
Please help guys.
Here's a photo of the crust:
Sorry this is the best photo I could get, she's a wiggler!

 

[VickiA]

She’s beautiful. If you get a bit of wet cotton wool and gently clean the area does it come off?

 

[Merab]

She’s really pretty.
I agree with @VickiA
If the warm water doesn’t work the a vet check would be a good move

 

[dannif_piggies]

She’s beautiful. If you get a bit of wet cotton wool and gently clean the area does it come off?

She’s really pretty.
I agree with @VickiA
If the warm water doesn’t work the a vet check would be a good move

Thank you both for your responses, and bless you both for the compliment, I'll pass it on but let's hope her ego don't get too big! I did just leave it be, but I will have a go with the cotton wool and report back! For the time being I have separated the two of them just precautionary. I will comment again shortly

 

[Lady Kelly]

Please do not panic. This could be absolutely anything from a sign of uri to simply a piece of dirt. Please keep a close eye on her, clean it off and see if it reappears at all. If you think there are any other symptoms then go to the vets when they open unless she goes downhill very quick

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you both for your responses, and bless you both for the compliment, I'll pass it on but let's hope her ego don't get too big! I did just leave it be, but I will have a go with the cotton wool and report back! For the time being I have separated the two of them just precautionary. I will comment again shortly

In my experience there is very little point in separating them. If it is an infection then the cage mate will have already been exposed to anything in the environment that could have caused it. Separation can cause piggies to get sad and some may not eat as a result (I tried to keep my late Izzy separate when she had a URI because I needed to see how much she ate but I gave up within a couple of hours as she became withdrawn and wouldn't move or eat without daisy there).

 

[dannif_piggies]

In my experience there is very little point in separating them. If it is an infection then the cage mate will have already been exposed to anything in the environment that could have caused it. Separation can cause piggies to get sad and some may not eat as a result (I tried to keep my late Izzy separate when she had a URI because I needed to see how much she ate but I gave up within a couple of hours as she became withdrawn and wouldn't move or eat without daisy there).

Thank you for the advice, I will keep a close eye on both of them! If it ends up being URI what is the process? Do both piggies need to be treated?

 

[dannif_piggies]

I have just taken a cotton wool pad with water and cleaned it off, it did not come off very easy but with a bit of a gentle rub it came away, at first she did make a sound as if she was in pain though despite how careful I was being, then she was fine (maybe she was just being dramatic).

Thank you for all your advice so far, if people have had this with their guinea pigs reassurance would be appreciate, thank you

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you for the advice, I will keep a close eye on both of them! If it ends up being URI what is the process? Do both piggies need to be treated?

Only if they are both ill. A URI isn't always caused by something in the environment and doesn't necessarily mean both will become ill. Usually a good antibiotic will help them to overcome it. Don't panic too much yet though the crust could be caused by anything (my poppy had some yesterday after having her nose in the bowl of pellets and picked up some dust) but mild irritants like small bits of hay can make them sneeze too

 

[Lady Kelly]

I have just taken a cotton wool pad with water and cleaned it off, it did not come off very easy but with a bit of a gentle rub it came away, at first she did make a sound as if she was in pain though despite how careful I was being, then she was fine (maybe she was just being dramatic).

Thank you for all your advice so far, if people have had this with their guinea pigs reassurance would be appreciate, thank you

Hahaha typical guinea pig, they don't like any kind of washing and will protest as loudly as possible.

Seriously though you need to take a step back and try to calm down a little. At the moment your piggy is not ill and for all we know it could just be dirt but you are getting yourself in such a tiz over it. If it does turn out to be a uri then early treatment vastly improves the outcome, so it's a matter of keeping an eye on her and if you have any concerns whatsoever then pop along to the vets when they open.

 

[dannif_piggies]

Hahaha typical guinea pig, they don't like any kind of washing and will protest as loudly as possible.

Seriously though you need to take a step back and try to calm down a little. At the moment your piggy is not ill and for all we know it could just be dirt but you are getting yourself in such a tiz over it. If it does turn out to be a uri then early treatment vastly improves the outcome, so it's a matter of keeping an eye on her and if you have any concerns whatsoever then pop along to the vets when they open.

Thank you for your advice and I will, I think it's just because Ive never had anything like this, she is my 5th guinea, and for it to happen shortly after Ive got her was just a bit of a shock, but I'll keep an eye on her. Thanks again.

 

[Piggiepops]

My guinea pigs have had this before and the vet told us it’s nothing really to worry about! It eventually fell off and they’re fine

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you for your advice and I will, I think it's just because Ive never had anything like this, she is my 5th guinea, and for it to happen shortly after Ive got her was just a bit of a shock, but I'll keep an eye on her. Thanks again.

It is always worrying I know. I had a piggy with pneumonia a couple of years back. I had had 6 piggies before her and never experienced anything close to a uri. They always manage to pick something new to try us out

 

[dannif_piggies]

My guinea pigs have had this before and the vet told us it’s nothing really to worry about! It eventually fell off and they’re fine

Thank you for the response. It was more the green-ish tint to it that concerned me, I will just keep an eye on her

 

[dannif_piggies]

It is always worrying I know. I had a piggy with pneumonia a couple of years back. I had had 6 piggies before her and never experienced anything close to a uri. They always manage to pick something new to try us out

I hope your piggy was okay, and they sure do! Is surprising how different every single one is!

 

[Flutterby]

I agree with the others, just keep an eye on her. It looks like it could quite well be dried food stuck to her nose but if it happens again quickly just pop her to the vets to be safe.

 

[Merab]

Piggies are highly addictive- the most wonderful pets on the planet and guaranteed to scare the socks off their slaves.
Hope your little beauty is fine now

 

[dannif_piggies]

Piggies are highly addictive- the most wonderful pets on the planet and guaranteed to scare the socks off their slaves.
Hope your little beauty is fine now

They are amazing animals and definitely cause worry, the crust isn't on there again yet, will double check her tomorrow morning and make a decision weather she needs the vet or not

 

[dannif_piggies]

This morning I woke up and slight crust had returned, and now there is slightly more. they both have a trip to the vet booked for 3.15 this afternoon for an overall check over. Fingers crossed it's nothing major.
This is the crust that's currently there, almost looks more like dry skin today, I'd rather be safe than sorry though!

Thanks again for all the advice last night, put my mind at ease to at least get some sleep

 

[dannif_piggies]

Vet update: Willow has been prescribed antibiotics for 2 weeks, and to monitor her closely to ensure things do not worsen, if they do a return to the vet will be sooner that 2 weeks. Fingers crossed for the little one!