Hi I am the guinea pig mother of a three-year old Texel (ish) boar. The 'ish' is because he seems to be a bit of everything... About a year ago he showed the first symptoms of scratching, particularly around the legs and hindquarters, as well as biting and tearing at his fur along the chest and rump. I treated him with Ivermectin from Beaphar as I saw very small, almost like dark dust, static mites. This provided some relief, then the itching came back. I took him to the vets last winter and they also prescribed Ivermectin. It had no effect.
I haven't taken him to the vets again because I'm a bit short on money at the moment, our vets aren't that great with small animals, and I thought maybe the itchiness was due to his thick fur causing a build of grease and dead skin, so upped his VitC and brushed more regularly (but the brushing clearly hurt). I now realise I should have spent the extra few and just got it sorted then , as now he can't be stroked, and has a crusty bald patch behind his left (pink) ear, and strand of hair attached to tiny clumps of dandruff would sometimes come off when brushed, the edge of his ear is slightly crusty too, and he has other bald bits on his rump where he's pulled at the fur, and I think he may now be losing weight. But he still doesn't look like he has mange as there are no sores and the baldness isn't that extensive, but I am wondering if it's fungal now. I'm treating him for ringworm and will disinfect the hutch with White Vinegar spray and disinfectant( Beaphar). But I'm wondering if any of you guys have experienced a similar thing and if so, how you went about relieving it? The little guy has been put through anti-parasite baths and sprays, but still nothing, but clearly this issue can't continue.
(He is a solo guinea unfortunately, living in my room)
Thanks so much, I will try and get some pictures.
I haven't taken him to the vets again because I'm a bit short on money at the moment, our vets aren't that great with small animals, and I thought maybe the itchiness was due to his thick fur causing a build of grease and dead skin, so upped his VitC and brushed more regularly (but the brushing clearly hurt). I now realise I should have spent the extra few and just got it sorted then , as now he can't be stroked, and has a crusty bald patch behind his left (pink) ear, and strand of hair attached to tiny clumps of dandruff would sometimes come off when brushed, the edge of his ear is slightly crusty too, and he has other bald bits on his rump where he's pulled at the fur, and I think he may now be losing weight. But he still doesn't look like he has mange as there are no sores and the baldness isn't that extensive, but I am wondering if it's fungal now. I'm treating him for ringworm and will disinfect the hutch with White Vinegar spray and disinfectant( Beaphar). But I'm wondering if any of you guys have experienced a similar thing and if so, how you went about relieving it? The little guy has been put through anti-parasite baths and sprays, but still nothing, but clearly this issue can't continue.
(He is a solo guinea unfortunately, living in my room)
Thanks so much, I will try and get some pictures.
with all the above. My one big thing is this. Once you know what he has (vet visit) and are treating him, then seriously think about getting him a cage mate. Piggies aren’t made to live alone. The best way is to take him to a rescue that does boar dating - once he’s recovered from whatever ailment he has. The cage would have to be 150x 60cm.
Thanks very much for stopping me from self-medicating him 
I had heard that the over-counter treatments weren't great...I will try and report back with a diagnosis.
however I made the error of buying the last boy in a litter, and after futile efforts to persuade my parents, gave up on the idea and he's now been alone for three years, so I'm unsure if it's too late too get him paired with another 
? It's a classic example of a numpty getting pets when they don't have the means I'm afraid ( but I I have learnt from that mistake now...)
)
