lip infection?

[Laura M.]

I went to see my guinea pigs after over 24 hours away from them (my Mum looked after them) and I saw something on one's lip. It was like a bit of feeding hay stuck to his lip with dried up pellet mush. Ten minutes later I came back with a wet cotton bud and my Mum. When I came back it looked like this. We wiped at it with a damp cotton bud, but it wouldn't budge. We gently touched it but it still wouldn't budge. What do we do? We will phone the vet tomorrow, but does anyone have any experience or suggestions?

P.S. He still acts like normal, he doesn't seem to mind, he still eats alot, he is not biting me or the other two - he is completely fine except for the lip thing itself.
Please help me!

 

[Claire W]

It looks like chelities which is indeed a lip infection but your vet will be able to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.

It can be caused by feeding too much acidic fruits like tomatoes and apples

 

[Wiebke]

I went to see my guinea pigs after over 24 hours away from them (my Mum looked after them) and I saw something on one's lip. It was like a bit of feeding hay stuck to his lip with dried up pellet mush. Ten minutes later I came back with a wet cotton bud and my Mum. When I came back it looked like this. View attachment 115800View attachment 115801We wiped at it with a damp cotton bud, but it wouldn't budge. We gently touched it but it still wouldn't budge. What do we do? We will phone the vet tomorrow, but does anyone have any experience or suggestions?

P.S. He still acts like normal, he doesn't seem to mind, he still eats alot, he is not biting me or the other two - he is completely fine except for the lip thing itself.
Please help me!

Hi!

I would book an appoinyment for potential cheilitis tomorrow. Please leave the spot be.

The best you can do at home is to take any potential cheilitis piggy off any fruit and tomato - in the case of a positive diagnosis for good to prevent fruit acid from creating tiny gaps through which germs of all sorts can get into lips. Some piggies are more susceptible than others. It is no problem to feed a balanced fruit-free diet: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Laura M.]

Is it painful for him?

 

[Claire W]

Is it painful for him?

It will be sore for him especially if you fiddle with it so like Wiebke has mentioned, you’re best to leave it alone until you see your vet

 

[Laura M.]

Thank you, that would make sense because he is the greedy one