Something Is Not Right With Biscuit!

[Little Pigs]

Recently I found scabs behind his ears, I trimmed his nails as he may of accidentally cut himself but I worry that he is scratching himself too much and he could hurt himself again.... My mum has told me to keep an eye on him and we'll take him to the vets.

I was just holding him and he was wriggling so much and tried to bite me! I tried calming him down but he became wound up and I had to put him back in his cage... He still popcorns and has plenty of space. I have a feeling something is not right... Ever since I got him I have been worried about him as he would 'coo' every night which led me to believe he had respiratory infections but since changing to fleece he has been better.

Could Biscuit have mange mites? I also noticed a small bald spot but I am unsure whether it's because he is half abyssinian and half Peruvian...

Anyone know what I should do? Please help

 

[Lady Kelly]

it sounds like there is something like mites wrong with him. Scratches and scabs are unlikely just to be from slightly sharp nails and the fact you are describing him as wriggling and trying to bite sounds like he was in distress being touched

 

[Wiebke]

Recently I found scabs behind his ears, I trimmed his nails as he may of accidentally cut himself but I worry that he is scratching himself too much and he could hurt himself again.... My mum has told me to keep an eye on him and we'll take him to the vets.

I was just holding him and he was wriggling so much and tried to bite me! I tried calming him down but he became wound up and I had to put him back in his cage... He still popcorns and has plenty of space. I have a feeling something is not right... Ever since I got him I have been worried about him as he would 'coo' every night which led me to believe he had respiratory infections but since changing to fleece he has been better.

Could Biscuit have mange mites? I also noticed a small bald spot but I am unsure whether it's because he is half abyssinian and half Peruvian...

Anyone know what I should do? Please help

Have him checked for mange or hay mites; it could also be a fungal infection. If you are lucky, it is just dry skin because of the dry radiator air during the current cold spell. But only a vet can tell.

Piggies do not normally scratch themselves bloody by accident, the same as we human don't unless the spot is pitchy or painful.

 

[Janice C]

I'd certainly suggest a visit to the Vet to get an expert opinion.
No good trying any over the counter remedies as you don't really know what the problem is.
Good luck with finding out what the wee piggies problem is and being able to make him feel more comfortable. C

 

[Little Pigs]

Have him checked for mange or hay mites; it could also be a fungal infection. If you are lucky, it is just dry skin because of the dry radiator air during the current cold spell. But only a vet can tell.

Piggies do not normally scratch themselves bloody by accident, the same as we human don't unless the spot is pitchy or painful.

Yes, I suspect it is either mange / hay mite or possibly a fungal infection. I am taking him to the vets soon and hope to find the issue - I will also be taking my other boar, Ollie, and get him checked in case he is also got something. I have noticed a bit of itching with Ollie but nothing serious and he is still more than happy to be cuddled.

- Would you recommend giving Biscuit some space and leaving him in his cage? I wouldn't want to cause stress to add to his problems.

thanks for your help! =)

 

[Little Pigs]

it sounds like there is something like mites wrong with him. Scratches and scabs are unlikely just to be from slightly sharp nails and the fact you are describing him as wriggling and trying to bite sounds like he was in distress being touched

Yes, I have noticed recently than he has been a bit distant - he is normally a very friendly guinea pig but he has defiantly been different...

The other day he did accidentally cut me with his nails - that was when I noticed they were a bit sharp and cut them.

 

[Little Pigs]

I also wanted to add - what is the best pet carrier? Normally the boys would go together but they (Ollie) has been extremely vicious and I fear putting them in a small enclosed area together as I wouldn't want them to inflict any injuries so I need to get another carrier. I found a nice carrier on amazon and wondered if it suitable - I have also heard split opinions on the matter, do guinea pigs prefer a small or larger carrier?

I have attached the photo of the carrier that I would like to purchase - is it suitable?

 

[Wiebke]

Yes, I suspect it is either mange / hay mite or possibly a fungal infection. I am taking him to the vets soon and hope to find the issue - I will also be taking my other boar, Ollie, and get him checked in case he is also got something. I have noticed a bit of itching with Ollie but nothing serious and he is still more than happy to be cuddled.

- Would you recommend giving Biscuit some space and leaving him in his cage? I wouldn't want to cause stress to add to his problems.

thanks for your help! =)

If it is an infectious issue (mites or fungal), you need to treat all piggies in contact with each other anyway, so please leave them together. Separation is helpful when you have a larger groups and are catching the problem very early, so you can prevent a large scale outbreak; you still need to treat all piggies but you can hopefully avoid more showing acute symptoms.
With pairs and trios it is better to eave them together as much as possible.

 

[Janice C]

I also wanted to add - what is the best pet carrier? Normally the boys would go together but they (Ollie) has been extremely vicious and I fear putting them in a small enclosed area together as I wouldn't want them to inflict any injuries so I need to get another carrier. I found a nice carrier on amazon and wondered if it suitable - I have also heard split opinions on the matter, do guinea pigs prefer a small or larger carrier?

I have attached the photo of the carrier that I would like to purchase - is it suitable?
View attachment 76769

I’ve found the softer carriers tend to collapse in on themselves!
I bought one and it was a nuisance. I’d to prop another box inside to stop it collapsing on the piggies.
I then bought an Amazon basics two door top load kennel. You can get them in either 19” or 23”. They open either from one end or from the top which is handy for lifting them out.

 

[Reenie]

It might be better to have a hard carrier if there is potentially a fungal issue so that you can disinfect it thoroughly after using it and prevent a subsequent reinfection