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Laura hawes

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Hi,
I am new to this forum, so hello fellow guinea pig owners :)

Firstly, I have owned Guinea pigs for years! Absolutely love them. Our ones live outside in hutches and in a run during the day. I currently have 4 rescue piggies, 3 of them being females and one male.
Yesterday, I decided to add some guinea pigs to my family, as i fell in love with some babies at the pet shop. They are Peruvian guinea pigs ( a breed I have never owned before ) but am looking forward to looking after as there long fur is just gorgeous. I have 2 new baby boys and 2 new baby girls. They are all from the same litter. All seemed to be going well, and good as I brought them home, they were surprisingly very friendly considering they are only 8 weeks old! They had never lived outside before so we introduced them first to the grass which they loved, and in the evening there new hay filled home!
The next morning I noticed on one of my boys, Benny, that he had some pimple things on his body. There was 2. They were lumps but almost looked scabbed over. As I inspected under his crazily long fur, near his bottom, I noticed some hair loss and a large sore patch with a scab round the outside. It broke my heart, so I took him straight to the vet after inspecting the others to make sure they wernt the same. At the vets, I was told he was too young to have the special shampoo that would normally be perscribed and too young for the antibiotics. I was given an ointment medication to put over the affected area, in hope he will recover. I was advised that he stayed inside and be separate from his mate for a while, so I moved him inside along with his mate and put a separater in the cage, so they could see each other but not reach each other. I trimmed his fur down a little too so the area was easier to clean. All was fine, and this morning I put all my other piggies out on the grass as I normally do, including bennys mate, Bjorn. He had his own little section on the grass where he could see into the girls section, and Benny stayed inside. After going out there today, ready to take Bjorn in for cuddle time, I noticed lots of flies on him. :( there was clearly white things being layed on him, looked like maggots or maggot eggs. I was mortified. I picked him up and took him in, and gave him a quick bath on his bottom. I got out everything I could, but it was his first bath so he was so scared. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with his skin, like there is on Benny, and I can’t understand why the maggots are interested in him, theres in none on my baby girls and none on any of my other pigs. I don’t know what to do! I’ve just spent £48 on Benny at the vets! Paying that again would really put me out of money! Obviously I will take him if he needs it, but I’m in a tough situation. I’ve moved him inside again and won’t put them back out until both are better now. There is a fly proof net over there inside cage too. I got in contact with the pet shop to say about Benny and all they said was return him for a refund, which I obviously will not do, because I care about the animal and want him better. The pet shop didn’t really seem to care, and that bothered me so I can’t take him back. I have committed to this animal now, and will do anything to make them both better, please please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
You need to see a vet unfortunately. Fly strike can kill if they have it. I am curious why your vet couldn't prescribe Bactrim? My boys had it at 8 weeks and did fine. Maybe a second opinion? Is your vet a guinea pig specialist? Good luck and hope everything works out for you guys!
 
Thanks. No not a specialist, just my local vet. Okay thank you, I will do. She didn’t mention Bactrim, when I go, I will ask. Thanks
 
I know they are probably too young for baytril though. I would see if you can find a guinea pig specialist. I know they are hard to find, but most vets don't see them very often and may not know as much!
 
If you are in the UK there is a link at the top of the page under Vet Locator. These vets have been recommended by members.
 
Where are you based? If you’re in the UK you do have consumer rights. I’d also report the breeder to the RSPCA/ local animals officer as they clearly are not concerned for the welfare of the piggies.
 
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