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Good Reputable Vets Needed

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Stayc1989

Stayc1989

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Derbyshire UK
Hello does anyone know a piggy savvy vets around chesterfield/Sheffield area? I am willing to travel further a field for a vet who knows what they are doing with guinea pigs, even derby/Nottingham. I have been to 3 different vets in my area about my guinea pigs scratching and all have said there's nothing wrong with them. Well I know there is and I have always known there is and I noticed absolutely ages ago that frankies hair was thinning on his belly and the vets told me he was not! They said it's because we have the heating on in the house but I have had frankie for nearly 3 years and I'm sure he would be used to the heating by now and plus the window is open 24/7 so there is air circulation at all times. I'm at the point of cleaning them out every day because I'm paranoid that he's going bald bald because he is laying in his own wee but today I have noticed it is now going thin on his back and he has a bald patch. I always put this down to when I first got him he had loads of deep scratches on his back in this area so I thought it was his scars that hair never grew back over. I can still see the scars they are white but the bald patch of skin is pink so it's not his scars please help me I am going mad trying to tell people there's something wrong and they say there is not and I'm worrying too much
 
Stayc1989 said:
Hello does anyone know a piggy savvy vets around chesterfield/Sheffield area? I am willing to travel further a field for a vet who knows what they are doing with guinea pigs, even derby/Nottingham. I have been to 3 different vets in my area about my guinea pigs scratching and all have said there's nothing wrong with them. Well I know there is and I have always known there is and I noticed absolutely ages ago that frankies hair was thinning on his belly and the vets told me he was not! They said it's because we have the heating on in the house but I have had frankie for nearly 3 years and I'm sure he would be used to the heating by now and plus the window is open 24/7 so there is air circulation at all times. I'm at the point of cleaning them out every day because I'm paranoid that he's going bald bald because he is laying in his own wee but today I have noticed it is now going thin on his back and he has a bald patch. I always put this down to when I first got him he had loads of deep scratches on his back in this area so I thought it was his scars that hair never grew back over. I can still see the scars they are white but the bald patch of skin is pink so it's not his scars please help me I am going mad trying to tell people there's something wrong and they say there is not and I'm worrying too much
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Here is our recommended vets vet locator: Guinea Pig Vet Locator

@pig in the city is local to you, so she may be able to recommend a vet, too.

Have your vets considered a fungal skin infection if they have excluded mange mites? This will not show up in lab test, which test only for the most infective form of fungal, ringworm. However, there are lots of other forms.
 
This is a picture of his back, you can see the scars but the baldness is nothing do do with the scars please help

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I would have said they had mites you treat it with Xeno how much you give them depends on the weight.
Regarding the bald patches I would get that one to the vet. ASAP
Let us know how you get on.
 
Wiebke said:
Here is our recommended vets vet locator: Guinea Pig Vet Locator

@pig in the city is local to you, so she may be able to recommend a vet, too.

Have your vets considered a fungal skin infection if they have excluded mange mites? This will not show up in lab test, which test only for the most infective form of fungal, ringworm. However, there are lots of other forms.
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I'm not sure what they have tested for to be honest because they don't even seem bothered and this is what's so frustrating because I have asked so many questions and the answers is always just along the lines of "oh well erm well" kind of thing I want answers now it's so annoying I don't care how much it costs I want a thorough check and a proper answer. He's had skin scrapings and stuff and they've given ivermectin and also xenex which gave him a terrible allergic reaction so I really need a vet who knows exactly what they are doing because I need to know he is in good hands thank you for you replies :)
 
Stayc1989 said:
I'm not sure what they have tested for to be honest because they don't even seem bothered and this is what's so frustrating because I have asked so many questions and the answers is always just along the lines of "oh well erm well" kind of thing I want answers now it's so annoying I don't care how much it costs I want a thorough check and a proper answer. He's had skin scrapings and stuff and they've given ivermectin and also xenex which gave him a terrible allergic reaction so I really need a vet who knows exactly what they are doing because I need to know he is in good hands thank you for you replies :)
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Xenex should NOT be used on guinea pigs; it tends to give a really bad reaction. :(

In all honesty, it is not just down to having bad vets; some skin issues can be extremely difficult to pin down and to treat even for the most experienced vet once you get past skin parasites and mild fungal. I have been there with piggies of mine.
 
Wiebke said:
Xenex should NOT be used on guinea pigs; it tends to give a really bad reaction. :(

In all honesty, it is not just down to having bad vets; some skin issues can be extremely difficult to pin down and to treat even for the most experienced vet once you get past skin parasites and mild fungal. I have been there with piggies of mine.
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I put in a complaint with the vet after he had his reaction and she said she would contact the manufacturer about it, that was second vet I visited, they must have been to the vets at least 6 times about this 4 times was to my normal vets and then a second and third vets. It's worrying because I don't want it to get any worse and when vets are saying he's fine but I know he's not feel like I'm letting him down. He lives with Freddie and he scratches himself but has quite thick fur and no bald patches or thinning of the fur at all but frankies whole fur is quite thin compared to Freddie.
 
Stayc1989 said:
Thank you very much I will call them in the morning :) have you visited her before?
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Yes - it' quite a distance for me so, I go to a local vet for "straightforward" things ( haypokes etc) . Anything else - I take my Guineas to Ellie at Alfreton.
 
Yes, Ellie Whitehead is the guinea pig lady, she works part time but tends to be there Monday and Friday. Claire Bush is also excellent with this type of problem. All our rescue piggies go to Alfreton, they have a lot of experience and are lovely people
 
Back from the vets, the piggies have some sort of mites, (can't remember what mites) Ellie gave them an ivermectin injection and have to go back for the next 2 Fridays for further doses. Thank you for all your help and advice I am glad I finally have a diagnosis, and treatment has begun and at least I know I'm not just being paranoid x
 
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