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New Guinea Pig Advice. New Guinea Pigs With Health Issues?

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Benvickers

New Born Pup
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Good morning all,

We bought two guinea pigs last night from pets at home.
One of which seems fine and the other one proper inspection once we got him home and allowed him to settle for a few hours seems alot smaller than the other. In addition the smaller one has tears on its ears and seems rather skitish. It also appears to have dandruff? the only way i can think to describe this is as if it has been lightly sprinkled with salt or sugar.

Is there anything we should be keeping an eye out for or is this to be chalked up to the stress of moving and adapting to a new environment.

Thank you for any responses.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum I'm sorry that you are joining because of potential problems with your new piggies.

I doubt it's stress though stress can make some issues more prominent like mites. I would personally find a good vet and pop them both along for a check up. Dry flaky skin can be mites or lice or it can be the start of fungal and all 3 conditions need different treatments and are unfortunately not uncommon in pet shop or breeder purchased piggies. If there is an illness that needs treatment you will be able to claim the costs of the vets visit and treatment back from pets at home.

Sometimes watery or slightly gunky eyes can be a result of not cleaning themselves properly and could be from the skin issue however it could also be the signs of something more severe such as a respiratory infection.

We do have a vet locator on the top bar, it's not exhaustive just ones forum members have recommended and this might help you find someone nearby
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum. It sounds as though he has some form of mites, although no one would diagnose without seeing him. I would take both of them to the vet. P@H should pay any costs involved. Impossible to say why his ears are torn..possibly bullied before you got him, but it's not that common in babies I don't think. Definitely the vet is your best bet. (I would take both of them for a full check over, and get them sex checked too, as P@H have been known to get it wrong)
This link will be useful too. Quick Information Bundle For Wannabe Owners
 
Oh gosh sorry maybe I should get glasses I read it as tears on the eyes not tears on the ears :mal:
 
Thank you all for your replies and welcomes.
I phoned the vets who didnt seem to concerned who then referred me to the p@h.
They seemed very friendly and were satisfied because the 'dandruff' wasn't moving it may just be dust from their sawdust in the shop (we were advised to use carefresh - happy to take other suggestions if anything better) and to brush the little one.

They said to keep an eye on them over the next few days.
I don't know if i got fobbed off or not. I'm happy to brush them and see if it returns. Is there anything i should be looking out for?
 
Mmmm I’m a bit sceptical of what p@h have said I’m afraid. It is very easy to be fobbed off especially over the phone. For peace of mind I would take them to vets to be checked out.
 
Benvickers said:
Good morning all,

We bought two guinea pigs last night from pets at home.
One of which seems fine and the other one proper inspection once we got him home and allowed him to settle for a few hours seems alot smaller than the other. In addition the smaller one has tears on its ears and seems rather skitish. It also appears to have dandruff? the only way i can think to describe this is as if it has been lightly sprinkled with salt or sugar.

Is there anything we should be keeping an eye out for or is this to be chalked up to the stress of moving and adapting to a new environment.

Thank you for any responses.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

The size of babies can be three times between the smallest that can survive and largest; it can also be down to a difference in age or overbreeding. There is nothing you can do apart from putting them on a good balanced diet to each realise their own ideal genetically determined weight and size. In adults, this can range from 800g-1800g, but average is about 800-1300g - still a great variation. The good news is that size is not connected to longevity.
(Our diet guide is in the new owners' link you have been already given.)

Please have any new guinea pigs' sex double checked (a sexing link is also included in our new owners' guide collection together with our recommended vets locator) and vet checked. If there is a health problem (it sounds like possibly hay mites), you can reclaim any vet cost by presenting the vet bill together with your sales receipt at the pet shop. It comes legally under selling damaged ware; don't let yourself be fobbed off. P@h staff are generally not known for their piggy savviness although there are individual exceptions.
Please also have the eyes checked. Thick crusts can be an indication of a respiratory infection, watery eyes of an irritation or injury and white stuff if cleaning fluid that is not draining away properly.

PS: We have got a handy guide on what is normal and what not when you look at a guinea pig in our collection as well... - as well as lots of settling in, handling and making friends tips together with guides for understanding social behaviour. ;)

PS2: Since we have members from all over the world and the UK, we find it very helpful if you please added your county to your details, so we can help you with more local recommendations and information where possible. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!
 
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