Itchy bald patch

[Pearlsie 86]

Hi all,

I have a rex male called Moogle he is approx 1 and 1/2 years and a swiss male called Elmo who is approx 6 months.

I lost Moogles brother at approx 1year from a tumour, I was devastated. I couldn't leave Moogle on his own so I introduced Elmo to him when he was just old enought to leave his mother. They come indoors for the winter, they have a big cage with lots of hidey holes and two of everything, water bottle, food bowls etc. Last week I went to bed and within 5 minutes of turning the light off there was an almighty squeal from Elmo. I rushed down and it appears Moogle had pulled a chunk of hair out from the back of his neck, he was also bleeding. It shocked me because I would always see them cuddled up together and them always seemed content. I separated them and bought a cage divider but they were not happy, they wanted to be with one another and constantly chewed the bars to get to one another - there was no chirping, squeaking or anything, I think they just wanted to be together. I have since kept them side by side in separate cages rotating them everyday so they can smell one another. Elmo now has a bald patch on the back of his neck, it is a bit bigger than a 2p coin. He keeps managing to scratch it and when he does scratch it is quite deep and it gets quite bloody (I have cut his nails). I wash the wound everyday and put sudocream on but he still keeps scratching it causing more bloody wounds and it is not healing, none of the hair has started to grow back either. He is eating fine and he has his snuggle safe pad at night.

Is there anything else I can do to help his wound heal and to stop him from scratching it? Also, shall I keep them separated until it has healed or for longer and should I incorporate floor time together?

Help! I not sure where to go from here....

Thanks.

Claire

 

[Dindypig]

My suggestion is that you take him to the vet to check his wound out in case of infection.

 

[helen105281]

I agree a vet visit is a good idea, to make sure it heals properly. As for bonding am not the best person to advise on that but hopefully someone will be along who can.

 

[Pearlsie 86]

Hi all,

They are both booked in at the vets this afternoon. On second thoughts and on observing them both last night I don't think it was a fight I think it may well be mites as Moogle has also got a bald patch on the top of his head. Hopefully I will get some invermectin etc. today to help clear it up.

Thanks again.

 

[Dindypig]

A piggie is very capable of scratching at an irritation until it bleeds. My late Dindy came to me in a terrible state, infected with mites and a bad case of fungal, she had scratched herself raw. She made a wonderful recovery and grew all her hair back. Please make sure you follow the treatment through to the end and any follow up treatment required. Don't be too scared at the vets boys.