Scratching Bleeding Baby Guinea

[Tinker15]

Hi there. I wanted some advice from people with more expertise than me on guinea pigs please.
I went into a pet shop today that I had never been to before. It was selling baby guinea pigs. One of them was scratching itself a lot and had s large patch of skin missing under its eye all red and sore. When I asked the shop owner what it was she said something that I can't recall but I'm sure it was something like a hay allergy but she also commented that the others will probably all get it too and that she's had issues with it for 6 years.
I was horrified! Surely that can't be allowed? How is she allowed to stock baby pigs if they are being made ill? Is it contagious if she thinks they will all get it if so why hasn't the poorly one been quarantined and why the heck was she not doing anything to help it?

Am I stupid and naive? Do all baby pigs go through this? She was just so blah about it and I can't tell if it was coz it just happens or if she just doesn't care. I've had guinea pigs in my life but never seen that before and now I can't stop worrying about it

 

[piggieminder]

Poor little pigs. Sounds like ringworm or mites, they need treatment from a vet. You don't say where you live, can you report her to the RSPCA if you are in UK?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there. I wanted some advice from people with more expertise than me on guinea pigs please.
I went into a pet shop today that I had never been to before. It was selling baby guinea pigs. One of them was scratching itself a lot and had s large patch of skin missing under its eye all red and sore. When I asked the shop owner what it was she said something that I can't recall but I'm sure it was something like a hay allergy but she also commented that the others will probably all get it too and that she's had issues with it for 6 years.
I was horrified! Surely that can't be allowed? How is she allowed to stock baby pigs if they are being made ill? Is it contagious if she thinks they will all get it if so why hasn't the poorly one been quarantined and why the heck was she not doing anything to help it?

Am I stupid and naive? Do all baby pigs go through this? She was just so blah about it and I can't tell if it was coz it just happens or if she just doesn't care. I've had guinea pigs in my life but never seen that before and now I can't stop worrying about it

Poor little one! That is ringworm, which we are currently seeing a lot of in pet shop piggies. It is the most aggressive and transmittable fungal skin infection that requires very strict hygiene to eradicate. You can complain to the local authorities over trading standards.
Typical breeder attitude - can't be bothered about proper vet care and hygiene...
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Wheekallweek]

I’d report them to the RSCPA! It does sound like ringworm, which is both contagious and uncomfortable, as well as being zoonotic; it can spread to humans!

 

[flowerfairy]

You could report them to the local council who will be in charge of their licence if you are in the uk.

 

[Tinker15]

I did a report online to the rspca for sick animals although I'm unsure if I should have reported animal cruelty instead.
I did reach out to the Cat & Rabbit clinic only 2 doors away from the shop but they were either unwilling or unable to intervene and assist.
I just felt so guilty leaving the poor thing. I think the sign said they weren't available to rehome until 24/02 so I couldn't even go back and and get it if I wanted. I hate people somedays. Pick a different profession if you don't care for animals.
Thank you all for the info

 

[Freela]

Sounds like mites or ringworm. It's certainly not an allergy. It makes me so angry that pet stores are so uncaring about the state of their animals. Unfortunately, it's not an uncommon attitude for them to take.