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Sick Guinea Pig

  • Thread starter Thread starter Grant
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Grant

Hey, I was wondering if anyone can help me with a problem I'm having with a new guinea pig i just got from the petshop, it is an abyssinian, She seems fine and healthy, she eats and drinks normally, is very alert and active But recently she has started losing fur from around her eye, it started at the bottom of the eye but has not gone around the top, but its only around the eye, she has no lumps or bumps on her just that, today i did find one tiny little scab behind her ear. its tiny though, does anyone know what this is? i need help :(
 
Welcome to the forum, Grant.
Parasitic and fungal skin problems can lead to hair loss and scabs, though scabs tend to indicate a parasitic problem, most commonly mites. Ear mites are possible (does she have a lot of wax/dirt in her ears?), but treating completely for mites, using Ivermectin/Ivomec or an Ivermectin-based product like Xeno 450 is worth considering.
 
Thanks guys, I'm in australia aswell incase you didnt know. i noticed this is a uk forum! :) i will have alot of questions for you's, I will make sure to check her ears CCC4 and get back to you, are those same treatments for mites in australia? and were can i obtain them from?
 
I just checked her ears they seem fine. the one behind her ear, i read that its natural for guinea pigs to be a little bald behind the ears? it seems normal, its just a smooth pinky skin bald, it seems like a red rash on the hairline, and in the middle of it is a little red bit that looks a bit like a bite now that i look at it! it had a little scab there before i washed her, but now its gone, it was a white scab though. i put some fungal cream on around her eye and it looks a bit better already, i also put some on that rash. Do you think that the boy in the cage is biting her? they seem to get along?
 
It is possibly mites but another distinct possibility is a skin fungal infection. If you are in a hot/humid place, this is more common.

I would treat for mites first, have a look online for xeno 450. This is easiest for a new owner to administer as it is pre measured doses and goes on the back of the neck. Seond dose 10-11 days later to get newly hatched eggs.

After 48 hours, treat for fungal. Contact Chrissie ASAP at www.gorgeousguineas.co.uk for her advice in your situation. She will be closed over Easter so sooner rather than later. There other other fungal creams available but I am unsure of these, someone else here will know though. Canesten or daktarin are 2 but may not be strong enough.
 
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Thanks Lavenderjade. I sent an email to the people at that website you said.
 
Thanks for everyones help on this! I'm really worried about her, i observed the rash behind the ear today more closely in the sunlight and it seems as if there is a lump with 2 red marks on top of the lump, like she has been bitten, i had read that mites also leave a red mark were they enter the skin? so I'm leaning towards mites now. Her eye isent losing anymore hair and the skin looks alot more less dry today. she is off to the vet tomorow, so hopefully we will know more then :)
 
Good luck at the vets!

Be aware that not all vets specialise in exotic pets, some are very good others not so!

All your vet should do is give the guinea a general check over and prescribe either topical ivermectin or some still inject it. If he/she advises a skin scrape to determine mites, refuse as this is expensive and unecessary as well as extremely painful! They may advise you to go back in 10 days to repeat the dose or give you another vial of xeno 450 to apply yourself.
 
The white scurfy skin on the ear can be a sign of mange mites, as can the little 'pimples'. Good luck at the vets.
 
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