Newbie Mom with a question

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NewMamma2013

NewMamma2013

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Hi! :))
I just adopted 2 females yesterday...KitKat and Pumpkin. They are so adorable! Well KitKat has a patch of fur missing from behind the one ear. I don't see anything that looks like a red flag and am not sure I should take her to a vet to be examined. I don't see any abrasions or scratches, she isn't scratching it from what I can tell. I did see her sister near it once yesterday. But I haven't spent enough time with them to witness anything else. Should I be concerned about mites or ringworm?

I appreciate your help! I have only ever owned Hampsters and that was over 20 yrs ago!

Kim
New Piggy Mamma
KitKat_2013.webppumpkin_2013.webp
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Kitkat and Pumpkin are so cute. All guinea pigs have bald spots behind their ears. If you look the other side you should find the same bald patch there too.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum! Other more experienced members will hopefully confirm that all piggies have bald patches behind their ears, I think to help with cooling. Keep an eye out of any excessive scratching!

Loving the names of your 2 girls!
 
Welcome to the forum. All piggies have bald patches behind their ears. If you look behind her other ear there should be the same bald patch. What gorgeous girls you have.
 
One of the first questions I ever asked too! I panicked when I first noticed it :)) But yes, its fine and totally normal. Sassy one of our girls is a rex and they are really noticeable on her.

Kitkat and Pumpkin are beautiful. If you would like to post bigger photos of them you will need a free photobucket account and then follow the instructions on this thread http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...ial-Posting-Pictures-In-Threads-(Photobucket)

Welcome to the forum!

I will move your thread to General Piggie Chat as this part of the forum is for reference only, so the replies couldn't be seen until they had been moderated. I'll move it in a day in so you won't miss it when you check back in
 
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Sorry I posted in the wrong place...and thank you for all the comfort! I got them for my daughter as an early x-mas gift. She saw them last week and I said no originally. But I went back without her for fish food and became a sucker...they are just so cute and I am all about rescue. So they moved in with 4 kids,5 cats and 4 dogs.

So one more question: as I am reading up about them I see that one place it said to not let them use the balls to roll around in. Can I have some opinions about that as well?
 
Exercise balls are a big NO NO as they can damage piggies backs - piggies aren't as flexible as hamsters.
 
NewMamma2013 said:
Sorry I posted in the wrong place...and thank you for all the comfort! I got them for my daughter as an early x-mas gift. She saw them last week and I said no originally. But I went back without her for fish food and became a sucker...they are just so cute and I am all about rescue. So they moved in with 4 kids,5 cats and 4 dogs.

So one more question: as I am reading up about them I see that one place it said to not let them use the balls to roll around in. Can I have some opinions about that as well?
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No need to apologise :)

As said by AbiS big no on the exercise balls they are so dangerous and could seriously injure piggies. Best bet is to get a run or make one out of grids and cable ties. Piggies love run time.

We use grids like these http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Safco-Wire...K321-SAF1061&gclid=CMzj782r4rkCFTPItAodd0MACQ you can often buy them on ebay or members sell them on here too, often quite cheaply.
 
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Hi, welcome to the forum - it's such a lovely place to share piggy stories and get any info you need :)

I had the biggest panic ever on Friday night when I discovered the bald patches behind Frodo's ears! This resulted in a sleepless night and a very groggy Nicola hosting mum's coffee morning on Saturday! Was so relieved (if a little embarrassed!) when I found out it was perfectly normal :)
 
Thank all of you once again. Other then the bald spot...they look healthy and clean. A little pudgy but thats how all my pets end up! I plan on weighing them today. We are just loving these girls. They seem to be adjusting well. Loving their out time with my daughter and the little mini carrot stick they got as their night time snack last night.

How about their nails, do you find it easy to trim them yourselves or do you have a vet do that? And how often do they need that done?
 
NewMamma2013 said:
How about their nails, do you find it easy to trim them yourselves or do you have a vet do that? And how often do they need that done?
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This depends very much on the colour of the piggy's nails, and how cooperative they are!

Here's some really useful info:
http://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

It's important that you are completely comfortable with handling them before attempt to cut their nails, as most piggies will squirm when you go near them with clippers! It's usually a 2 person job - especially if you're new to it.

Perhaps you could take them to the vets for the first time and watch while they cut them. You could even ask them to show you so you're happy with what you're doing.
 
This is totally normal for guinea pigs! you have nothing to worry about! Check the other pigs ears and it should be the same there also! Oh1 I almost forgot welcome to the forum!
 
I trim my guinea pigs nails myself. I usaully have someone hold them for me and I will cut them Or the other way around! LOL! Just be careful not to get there quick
 
Hey aren't supposed to use the balls or wheels because of the holes. For the ball which has air holes they can get their toes caught in them and it can break them or even worse tear them off. Same thing with the wheels
 
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