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Please read i need help!

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MYPiglit23

Ok so i got a free guinea pig from a lady after i got her i examined her! she had some white flakes come on my shirt when i was holding her when she shed. So i gave her a bath with pet shampoo and they seem to have gone away should i still take her to the vet? OR is it just dandruff and nothing to be concern about
 
I would have her checked for mites and/or fungus. If you are new to guinea pigs, best take her to the vets.

Both problems are very common and could cause those flakes. If you have other guinea pigs, she could infect them as well. But they are quite easily treated.

Has she got any bare patches of skin or signs of scabs anywhere?
 
I'd second what Wiebke said and also recommend not bathing her further until you get her checked out as washing a piggy with mites can cause the mites to burrow further into the flesh.

It is also possible for piggys to suffer dry skin from the living conditions - what sort of bedding was she on before and what sort of bedding do you use?
 
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new guinea pig! The white flakes tend to indicate a skin problem, either mites or fungal as explained above. It is possible for some pigs to have dry, slightly flaky skin but a thorough examination from a skilled vet (who has notable experience with guinea pigs) would be worthwhile.

LesaC said:
I'd second what Wiebke said and also recommend not bathing her further until you get her checked out as washing a piggy with mites can cause the mites to burrow further into the flesh.
Click to expand...

I've not heard that about bathing pigs with mites - have you got a link where I can read up on that?
 
It could be plain, simple dandruff. Initially, I would give her a bath in Alphosyl shampoo and then observe her skin for a week.
A course of Ivomec would eliminate any mites.
 
I don't have any specific links on it Laura but I've been told it and read it on several occassions and in particular by someone I trust with a lot of experience. I've seen it referred to on places like Guinea Lynx forum as well which I always considered to be pretty trustworthy. Do you think it is safe to bathe them then? It made sense to me that immersing the mites in water could force them to burrow further into the skin to escape but if it's not correct would like to know.
 
I bath pigs that have had mites and, in 21 years experince, have neither had any problems nor have I heard about burrowing mites. Is this another g. pig myth?
 
Interesting - I've always felt that bathing soothes the tender skin and the irritation that the mites cause.

In cases where pigs suffer mites and fungal skin problems at the same time, there doesn't seem to be the concern that treating the fungal before the mites will cause more severe problems with the mites. The treatments for both problems are days apart, as long as the mites are dealt with a few days before or a few days after bathing, I've not come across any problems.

I do see your point Lesa, I see what could make some sense, I'm just interested in investigating it a bit more!
 
I've heard that Tics can bury into the skin (with reference to dogs and people, rather then guinea pigs) when fresh air is withheld (with vasaline / water /whatever). Could this be where the confusion is?
 
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