scratching

[DM120421]

i have my guinea pig for a week now, and i’ve noticed today that she scratches a lot. In her hide house she also leans her head down , to her bottom and i think she’s eating her poop?
sometimes it also looks like she’s biting at her fur (but i’m not sure if she is) , and scratches with her back leg, she also uses her front paws to clean her face ...
•how much should she be scratching?
•is it normal for piggy’s to eat their poop?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes it is normal for them to eat their poop. They eat a special type of poop (caecotrophs) (not the waste poops you see in their cage). It means that their food gets a second run through the gut so they can extract most nutrients from it. It’s very normal, nothing to worry about.

Biting at their fur (it’s a form of scratching) and scratching with their back legs and using their front paws to clean their faces is all normal.
Do have a vet check her over if you see her scratching a lot, flaky skin, bald patches, as these can be signs of parasites/skin conditions

The guide below details piggy parasites
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

 

[Isla&Steve]

I don't have the most experience on the forum, but as someone who has got a lovely ringworm scar from a beloved piggie, I would say its always worth doing a little check for bald patches and flaky skin, I have found that my boys scratch a lot after a nice nap.

 

[DM120421]

I don't have the most experience on the forum, but as someone who has got a lovely ringworm scar from a beloved piggie, I would say its always worth doing a little check for bald patches and flaky skin, I have found that my boys scratch a lot after a nice nap.

ok i’ll definitely have a look tomorrow, if i find anything i’ll probably update an post pictures onto here to check if it’s something serious!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do read the guide, and see a vet if you are concerned about scratching or any flaky areas.
Dont be tempted to use any off the shelf treatments for parasites as they arent strong enough to deal with an issue, you always need a vet diagnosis and prescription strength course of treatment

You cannot see mites themselves as they are far too small. You can only see their evidence, as well as the excess scratching, bald patches etc, the only thing you may see of hay mites is the egg shell casings which attach themselves to the piggy’s hair shaft, usually around the back end.
Lice are small pale creatures but they can be seen.
Ringworm is something which gets worse quickly if left untreated. It’s scaly patches of skin, often starting on their face.

Piggies, like us, do scratch though without it being a problem

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[DM120421]

Do read the guide, and see a vet if you are concerned about scratching or any flaky areas.
Dont be tempted to use any off the shelf treatments for parasites as they arent strong enough to deal with an issue, you always need a vet diagnosis and prescription strength course of treatment

You cannot see mites themselves as they are far too small. You can only see their evidence, as well as the excess scratching, bald patches etc, the only thing you may see of hay mites is the egg shell casings which attach themselves to the piggy’s hair shaft, usually around the back end.
Lice are small pale creatures but they can be seen.
Ringworm is something which gets worse quickly if left untreated. It’s scaly patches of skin, often starting on their face.

Piggies, like us, do scratch though without it being a problem

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

hello i just got back from school and decided to hold her since i haven’t got the chance for lap time today!
i had her on my lap and tried looking for bald spots, i couldnt see any, i just stroked her , have her some treats, then i looked down and since she has a black patch around her eye i saw a little bug walking round. i think it’s lice from what you’ve described.
what do i do now? do i go to the vet?
and if she does have lice, do i clean her cage and disinfect everything when she comes back from the vet? can the lice transfer onto people? thank you for your help !

 

[Piggies&buns]

hello i just got back from school and decided to hold her since i haven’t got the chance for lap time today!
i had her on my lap and tried looking for bald spots, i couldnt see any, i just stroked her , have her some treats, then i looked down and since she has a black patch around her eye i saw a little bug walking round. i think it’s lice from what you’ve described.
what do i do now? do i go to the vet?
and if she does have lice, do i clean her cage and disinfect everything when she comes back from the vet? can the lice transfer onto people? thank you for your help !

Yes do see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Lice at piggy specific, so no they won’t transfer to people. The guide I linked in first reply details everything

 

[DM120421]

Yes do see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Lice at piggy specific, so no they won’t transfer to people. The guide I linked in first reply details everything

ahh ok thank you! yes i’ll try and go to the vet with her today!

 

[DM120421]

Yes do see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Lice at piggy specific, so no they won’t transfer to people. The guide I linked in first reply details everything

i just came back from the vet, they said they can’t do health checks but they did give me some drops to put on her skin ...
hopefully it will work

 

[Piggies&buns]

i just came back from the vet, they said they can’t do health checks but they did give me some drops to put on her skin ...
hopefully it will work

What treatment did they give you?

 

[DM120421]

What treatment did they give you?

it’s called the “bob martin spot on treatment”

 

[DM120421]

What treatment did they give you?

i’ve also taken out her wooden hide house to clean it and i dont know if i should put it back in because it’s still damp-
i’ve covered half of her cage with a towel , she’s louder than usual and i dont know why? maybe she’s scared? still itchy?