Sore On Leg And Newbie Introduction

[squeakypiggies]

Hi everyone we recently took on 2 elderly girls, not sure of exact ages around 5 and 6, for a friend who emigrated. Neither much likes lap time and when out of cage for exercise time they tend to stay very close to each other and only move to food bowl / water. We do spend time with them every day while feeding talking to both and stroking the one who is more comfortable with this.
Today while spot cleaning i noticed a nasty looking sore on Jessie's leg have booked a vet appointment for tomorrow however any ideas of what this maybe and what we can do before seeing the vet? Feel terrible that we didn't notice this before but as I said they don't like being handled very much and didn't want to stress them out.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Good that you have already booked them in!

It is always recommended with any new guinea pigs (or other pets) unless they have adopted a vet-cleared piggy from a good rescue or they have had a very recent vet check at their previous owners. It is very difficult to say just from the pictures, but most likely it is a burst (harmless) sebaceous cyst. The important job is to prevent an infection getting in.

Just keep the sore disinfected with some saline solution (either sterile one from the pharmacy or home-made by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 pint/250 ml of boiled, cooled water).

Older piggies don't have the excess energy anymore that characterises younger guinea pigs. It is also hearder when they have never had exercise time. You can lure them around a bit more by providing cheap children's stools or cardboard boxes with door openings cut into them, or by pegging a beach towel or blanket over the exercise run and then sprinkling their pellets or veg all over the run to encourage them to forage.
You can find some tips in this guide here: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

You may also find our new owners' guides collection helpful; we have sections that deal with settling in guinea pigs, understanding how they work and making friends with them by using a spot of guinea pig whispering.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

 

[squeakypiggies]

Hi and welcome!

Good that you have already booked them in!

It is always recommended with any new guinea pigs (or other pets) unless they have adopted a vet-cleared piggy from a good rescue or they have had a very recent vet check at their previous owners. It is very difficult to say just from the pictures, but most likely it is a burst (harmless) sebaceous cyst. The important job is to prevent an infection getting in.
It can also be the beginning of fungal or mange mites, but that is for your vet to decide.

Just keep the sore disinfected with some saline solution (either sterile one from the pharmacy or home-made by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 pint/250 ml of boiled, cooled water).

Older piggies don't have the excess energy anymore that characterises younger guinea pigs. It is also hearder when they have never had exercise time. You can lure them around a bit more by providing cheap children's stools or cardboard boxes with door openings cut into them, or by pegging a beach towel or blanket over the exercise run and then sprinkling their pellets or veg all over the run to encourage them to forage.
You can find some tips in this guide here: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

You may also find our new owners' guides collection helpful; we have sections that deal with settling in guinea pigs, understanding how they work and making friends with them by using a spot of guinea pig whispering.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

 

[squeakypiggies]

Thanks for the reply - will have a look at the sections you suggested and will bathe the area this evening. There is a small white patch on one side that looks nastier, possibly infected? Sure the vet will tell us tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the reply - will have a look at the sections you suggested and will bathe the area this evening. There is a small white patch on one side that looks nastier, possibly infected? Sure the vet will tell us tomorrow.

In this case, please leave be. It rather sounds like the beginnings of ringworm. Please do not treat in order to not disturb the "crime scene" for your vet to make the correct diagnosis.
Please be careful when handling piggies as ringworm is single the most transmittable problem that can be passed on between all mammals (including humans).

 

[squeakypiggies]

OK will leave be

 

[Flutterby]

Sending healing vibes, let us know how you get in at the vets

 

[Wiebke]

OK will leave be

Sorry, I did link in the wrong guide by mistake; here is our ringworm guide. You will find it very helpful if dealing with fungal: Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

Fungal is one of these opportunists that hit when the immune system is lowered, often from the stress of moving homes.