Piggie itching on lower back

[jennag446]

Hi everyone! My piggie, Phoebe, has been scratching, licking, and biting at a spot on her lower back for the past week. She is a 6 year old female, so she’s a senior piggie. She has a vet appointment in 2 days, but I’m looking to gain some insight on what could be going on in the meantime (mainly so I don’t freak out too much).

She is eating and drinking ok, but I know piggies are masters at disguising illnesses. She does have a history of UTIs- she had one that lasted about a month earlier this year, but luckily, after many vet appointments and medication, it cleared up. Besides the UTI and some cataracts, she has had no other health issues. I also know that ovarian cysts are common at her age, and her ovaries are in this general area. I’m worried that something could be going on internally that is causing her to irritate the spot, but at the same time, I don’t want to freak out too much.

If anybody else’s piggie has experienced this, what did it end up being? Or, just if anyone has a lot of knowledge of guinea pigs in general, I’m hoping to gain some insight. I’m hoping it’s just something superficial and treatable.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

[piggieminder]

It's really good you have managed to get a vet appointment this type of thing really needs a hands inspection. I wouldn't panic about ovarian cysts, signs of those tend to be on the sides and crusty nipples. I am not a health expert but I feel you are probably looking at lice or mites. Good luck at the vets I hope it's easily treatable.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets.

Is it by her grease gland?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

Biting/scratching at a particular area can be due to a few things: discomfort in the area due to arthritis, itching due to mites for example, so it’s good you’ve got a vet appointment as this needs a hands on check.
It looks like matted hair possibly by her grease gland?

I would also agree that this wouldnt immediately make me think ovarian cysts - symptoms can involve hair loss but that is on the sides not back end

Let us know how what the vet says.
I hope she is ok

 

[jennag446]

Good luck at the vets.

Is it by her grease gland?

Thank you! Yes, it appears to be just to the right of her grease gland.

 

[jennag446]

It's really good you have managed to get a vet appointment this type of thing really needs a hands inspection. I wouldn't panic about ovarian cysts, signs of those tend to be on the sides and crusty nipples. I am not a health expert but I feel you are probably looking at lice or mites. Good luck at the vets I hope it's easily treatable.

Thank you! I’m hoping it’s just lice or mites and that they’ll clear up fine. Are lice and mites common, even if she has a clean environment? We sweep her enclosure daily and wash the bedding + do a deep clean twice a week.

 

[jennag446]

I’m sorry to hear this

Biting/scratching at a particular area can be due to a few things: discomfort in the area due to arthritis, itching due to mites for example, so it’s good you’ve got a vet appointment as this needs a hands on check.
It looks like matted hair possibly by her grease gland?

I would also agree that this wouldnt immediately make me think ovarian cysts - symptoms can involve hair loss but that is on the sides not back end

Let us know how what the vet says.
I hope she is ok

That’s reassuring to know that ovarian cysts aren’t the likely cause here. It definitely looks like it’s by her grease gland. I’ll keep you posted on what the vet says tomorrow!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you! I’m hoping it’s just lice or mites and that they’ll clear up fine. Are lice and mites common, even if she has a clean environment? We sweep her enclosure daily and wash the bedding + do a deep clean twice a week.

Yes they are common.

Hay mites come in with hay so they are a risk no matter how clean the cage is kept.

If she has lice then you would be able to see small pale crawling creatures in her hair.

Hay mites and mange mites are not visible to the human eye.

Hay mites will leave empty egg casings stuck to the hair shaft. They will feel like little beads as you run your finger down the hair. They are stuck fast and will not come off.

Mange mites are more serious as they burrow into a piggy’s skin. A v shape area of hair loss becomes visible on the back, but much higher up than you have marked on the photo

I’ve added this guide below which explains piggy parasites in more detail

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

If you haven’t already done so, take a look at her grease gland as if there is a build up or anything out of the ordinary, you should be able to see

 

[jennag446]

Yes they are common.

Hay mites come in with hay so they are a risk no matter how clean the cage is kept.

If she has lice then you would be able to see small pale crawling creatures in her hair.

Hay mites and mange mites are not visible to the human eye.

Hay mites will leave empty egg casings stuck to the hair shaft. They will feel like little beads as you run your finger down the hair. They are stuck fast and will not come off.

Mange mites are more serious as they burrow into a piggy’s skin. A v shape area of hair loss becomes visible on the back, but much higher up than you have marked on the photo

I’ve added this guide below which explains piggy parasites in more detail

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

If you haven’t already done so, take a look at her grease gland as if there is a build up or anything out of the ordinary, you should be able to see

Thank you so much for providing that guide, I’ll take a look at it! I’ll also check her grease gland to make sure there’s no irritation or build up.

 

[Merab]

Hope all goes well at the vet for Phoebe

 

[jennag446]

I’m sorry to hear this

Biting/scratching at a particular area can be due to a few things: discomfort in the area due to arthritis, itching due to mites for example, so it’s good you’ve got a vet appointment as this needs a hands on check.
It looks like matted hair possibly by her grease gland?

I would also agree that this wouldnt immediately make me think ovarian cysts - symptoms can involve hair loss but that is on the sides not back end

Let us know how what the vet says.
I hope she is ok

Luckily, everything looked good! The vet said she thinks, if anything, it’s just allergies. She prescribed some allergy meds, so hopefully the itching will stop.