?hyperkeratosis on nose

[Ali_x]

Hi everyone

I’ve recently rescued a guinuea pig, I took him for a general check with the vet so he was registered. Whilst he was there, I mentioned the fact that he had what looked like dry skin formation above his nose, she wasn’t concerned about a fungal infection and said to monitor.

anyway it doesn’t irritate him and isn’t typical of a fungal infection look, on my research it looks more like hyperkeratosis, the skin bits look more extended towards the bottom.

There’s not a lot of info about this on guinea pigs, it’s quite common dog paws and noses but not guinea pigs and I’ve never had a guinea pig with this... I’ve attached a couple of pics of it. As I said it doesn’t irritate, there’s no hair loss and the skin looks the same colour as his, it’s not red or white or looking odd if that makes sense.

Just wondered if anyone has had any experience with this, I plan on moisturising it with coconut oil but if anyone has any other suggestions or I thoughts, that would be great.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I would just leave be. Very occasionally can piggies get little growths of various sorts on their nose. As long as they are not becoming too large and a nuisance, they are fine to just being monitored.

 

[Freela]

To me that looks like what my vet calls 'fungal nose stripe'- basically just a little strip of hairless skin that doesn't spread and is hard to treat. One of my pigs has it too and we've just let it be. I notice that it improves when the air is warmer and more humid in the summer and gets slightly more noticeable when it's dryer, but it just stays localized there and doesn't spread.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, these nose stripes are not uncommon in piggies. Most people seem to refer to them as fungal nose stripes, although I don't think they are fungal and don't respond to fungal treatment. I was once told by a vet they are warts, which are a the of keratosis, so it is very interesting what your vet says.

Many years ago I had a pig who developed one. Coincidentally he also had to be operated on to have a bladder stone removed. After that opp I adjusted his diet by stopping feeding nuggets, so fed just hay and plenty of veg (and grass when growing), to reduce the risk of future stones forming. After a few weeks his nose stripe also disappeared.

That was nearly 20 years ago. Since then I only feed nuggets once or twice a week (20g per pig) and in that time any new pig I have taken on with a nose stripe has lost it after a few weeks. So to me it is an indicator that their diet isn't quite right.

 

[Freela]

Hi, these nose stripes are not uncommon in piggies. Most people seem to refer to them as fungal nose stripes, although I don't think they are fungal and don't respond to fungal treatment. I was once told by a vet they are warts, which are a the of keratosis, so it is very interesting what your vet says.

Many years ago I had a pig who developed one. Coincidentally he also had to be operated on to have a bladder stone removed. After that opp I adjusted his diet by stopping feeding nuggets, so fed just hay and plenty of veg (and grass when growing), to reduce the risk of future stones forming. After a few weeks his nose stripe also disappeared.

That was nearly 20 years ago. Since then I only feed nuggets once or twice a week (20g per pig) and in that time any new pig I have taken on with a nose stripe has lost it after a few weeks. So to me it is an indicator that their diet isn't quite right.

That's really interesting... mine do get daily pellets, though only Leela has ever had the nose stripe. I'll have to look into that!

 

[Bill & Ted]

My Posh has one of these nose stripes too, I’ve seen it on quite a few forum piggies in the past and always knew it as fungal nose stripe

 

[Scooter Pie]

One of my pigs developed this recently, in the past few weeks. She was at the vet Tuesday for hay poke, and I asked about it.

Waiting for results of $138 dna ringworm test... And hopefully it's not that.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, these nose stripes are not uncommon in piggies. Most people seem to refer to them as fungal nose stripes, although I don't think they are fungal and don't respond to fungal treatment. I was once told by a vet they are warts, which are a the of keratosis, so it is very interesting what your vet says.

Many years ago I had a pig who developed one. Coincidentally he also had to be operated on to have a bladder stone removed. After that opp I adjusted his diet by stopping feeding nuggets, so fed just hay and plenty of veg (and grass when growing), to reduce the risk of future stones forming. After a few weeks his nose stripe also disappeared.

That was nearly 20 years ago. Since then I only feed nuggets once or twice a week (20g per pig) and in that time any new pig I have taken on with a nose stripe has lost it after a few weeks. So to me it is an indicator that their diet isn't quite right.

That is interesting. I haven't had piggies with nose stripes (which can actually be a variety of things from mild fungal to little growths).
I've had piggies with the classic white stripe as well as one with a growth issue that was decidedly not fungal, either, since I switched to less pellets (although feeding a very little daily) and generally less high sugar veg (especially carrots and fruit) in their diet a number of years ago.

 

[Ali_x]

Hi, these nose stripes are not uncommon in piggies. Most people seem to refer to them as fungal nose stripes, although I don't think they are fungal and don't respond to fungal treatment. I was once told by a vet they are warts, which are a the of keratosis, so it is very interesting what your vet says.

Many years ago I had a pig who developed one. Coincidentally he also had to be operated on to have a bladder stone removed. After that opp I adjusted his diet by stopping feeding nuggets, so fed just hay and plenty of veg (and grass when growing), to reduce the risk of future stones forming. After a few weeks his nose stripe also disappeared.

That was nearly 20 years ago. Since then I only feed nuggets once or twice a week (20g per pig) and in that time any new pig I have taken on with a nose stripe has lost it after a few weeks. So to me it is an indicator that their diet isn't quite right.

oh yeah that’s interesting

I too have had experience with the dreaded bladder stone on one of my males and I’ve learnt from that. All of my piggy’s get Brita filtered water lol... and mostly hay and fresh food with only a tiny bit of pellets, to try and reduce the risk again, so Snoopy is on a good diet, he was overweight when I rescued him, I don’t know what sort of diet his previous owner had him on.

I do dread bladder stones, that and heart failure as I’ve had problems with both in the past

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

oh yeah that’s interesting

I too have had experience with the dreaded bladder stone on one of my males and I’ve learnt from that. All of my piggy’s get Brita filtered water lol... and mostly hay and fresh food with only a tiny bit of pellets, to try and reduce the risk again, so Snoopy is on a good diet, he was overweight when I rescued him, I don’t know what sort of diet his previous owner had him on.

I do dread bladder stones, that and heart failure as I’ve had problems with both in the past

I don't mean that piggies who get them are on bad diets, more that there is something (grain) in their diet that they as an individual are sensitive to. Just like food intolerances in some people can make them more prone to colds, hayfever and skin issues even if their diet is otherwise excellent. In the case of people with a food intolerance it is the frequency more than the quantity that is the issue.

That is interesting. I haven't had piggies with nose stripes (which can actually be a variety of things from mild fungal to little growths).
I've had piggies with the classic white stripe as well as one with a growth issue that was decidedly not fungal, either, since I switched to less pellets (although feeding a very little daily) and generally less high sugar veg (especially carrots and fruit) in their diet a number of years ago.

 

[Wiebke]

I've only ever had two serious and persistent 'fungally' cases, sisters Nerys and Nia; and they came with their nose stripes.

 

[Scooter Pie]

Any updates? I believe my piggie may have the hyperkeratosis. She was tested for ringworm and it was negative. Vet said I could put a little of some antibiotic ointment she prescribed for an eyelid scratch on it. When I touched it, it felt crusty.

Thinking about cutting down the pellets...as it is now they only get 1 tablespoon twice a day sprinkled around for two pigs to forage for.

 

[Ali_x]

Any updates? I believe my piggie may have the hyperkeratosis. She was tested for ringworm and it was negative. Vet said I could put a little of some antibiotic ointment she prescribed for an eyelid scratch on it. When I touched it, it felt crusty.

Thinking about cutting down the pellets...as it is now they only get 1 tablespoon twice a day sprinkled around for two pigs to forage for.

Hi

No I haven’t unfortunately, it’s not bothering him and not getting worse, his vet wasn’t worried. I’ll just keep an eye on it and see what happens. His doesn’t feel too crusty, it feels soft.

I’ve changed my piggy’s diet after one had a bladder stone and I read about high calcium diets, so hoping I’m doing everything I can!

our piggy’s can have matching weird noses! Lol
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