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vet dont know whats wrong with me guinea pig

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maxinedawn

maxinedawn

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My 10 week old guinea pig(Albie) started scratching him self yesterday and making himself bleed. I took him to the vets today. Vet said he couldn't see anything wrong with his skin vet gave him a steroid injection and said to bring him back in a week. Albie Is on antibiotics for sneezing too. Has anyone got anyone got any advice please. Ask for advise On here yesterday someone said it could be mites, vet said it wasn't.
 
Sorry have no way of doing photos. He's scratching just above his front leg. He has not scratched since the injection. But then yesterday he only scratch himself twice but both times he made himself blood. And I know he only scratch twice because I sat there with him for 11 hrs. I was to scarred to leave.
 
They say they are experienced with small animals. Its the only one I could find in this area.
 
Without seeing what it looks like it's hard to figure out. Hopefully someone will come along and have a better idea.

I would also say it might be worth getting a 2nd opinion from another vet. The first time I took my gerbil to a practice that advertised as experienced with small animals the vet suggested that for the price of the medication I could probably buy another gerbil pow-pow! the only vet I know as excellent with guinea pigs is in Northampton. It's a bit of travel but many travel very far to see him.

I hope he gets well soon. Does he live with a friend?
 
Yes lives with his 4 year old buddy. I asked if I should separate them. Vet said no as its not a mite or fungi thing.
 
Yes, separating would potentially stress him making things worse. Even if it was mites or fungal I would still say not to separate as it would be likely they both had it.

Have you been able to look at his skin where he's scratching?
 
P.S The vet has been really good, as the last 2 times I've seen him he only charge me for meds, no for his time. I think he feels sorry for me. As I got my go from the blue cross 3wk ago and have had 1 die, the our 2 sick with different thing. All together I've send nearly £300 and many sleepless nights
 
I've looked it looks lovely can't see anything. Almost wish we could see something. Its been so upsetting. I started crying in the vets today
 
I am sorry, but it is impossible for us to give you a diagnosis over the internet. I am afraid that it is a matter of wait and see for the time being. At least your boy is not too bad after his injection.

In all fairness to your vet, it is not a typical area for either mites or ringworm to start. Skin problems can look much more similar at first than show pictures would suggest!
 
I hope you can discover what the problem is and that he feels better soon. :)
 
I am sorry to hear that little Albie is causing you such concern!

However, when taking everything into consideration, has you vet considered whether/suggested that Albie may have an allergy?!

Perhaps, if you were to provide some information on your setup/ routine etc, forum members may be able to suggest a possible allergen?!

I do wonder whether you bed Albie, and Pastrami on wood shavings?! :)
 
Why not treat for mites and fungal (not at the same time) anyway just to be sure?

Lots of people do preventative mites treatment which you can pick up quite cheaply from pets at home.

You might find with no diagnosis that when the steroid wears off your guinea pig starts scratching again.
 
You've had some really good sounding advice from several sources above. But you will be getting more stressed with the worry of not knowing. I hope you find the answer soon then you can relax and just enjoy your little chap. It is terrible when you are worried about your guinea pig so I am not surprised when you go the vet's you are a bit emotional.
 
hi there my guinea pigs have scratching for months had them to vets no mites i use tea bag bedding gwen a good friend of mine who has bunnys burrows gewn told me to try and using a medicated shampoo might be dry skin gwen does not think its internal mites
 
I was wondering about allergy,to bedding or his antibiotics. I'm using wood shaving at the main but looking into Fitch. He's not been scratching today.The steroids injection has help.
Guinea-pigGaga said:
I am sorry to hear that little Albie is causing you such concern!

However, when taking everything into consideration, has you vet considered whether/suggested that Albie may have an allergy?!

Perhaps, if you were to provide some information on your setup/ routine etc, forum members may be able to suggest a possible allergen?!

I do wonder whether you bed Albie, and Pastrami on wood shavings?! :)
Click to expand...
 
maxinedawn said:
I was wondering about allergy,to bedding or his antibiotics. I'm using wood shaving at the main but looking into Fitch. He's not been scratching today.The steroids injection has help.
Click to expand...

Personally, I would suggest that you either seek a second opinion, or change to an alternative bedding!

Did your veterinarian perform a full examination of Albie, before prescribing antibiotics?!

Nevertheless, I did have a boar that was allergic/irritated by wood shavings - He would continually sneeze!
 
have you tired putting abit if cellotape on the skin to see anythink comes off mine are going to vets at 4 30 if they cant do anythink i am going to a different vets
 
thanks Guinea-pigGaga

Thanks Guinea-pigGaga you were right Albie has a allergy to wood shaving.I changed their bedding a week ago. He's runny nose and itching stopped straight away. Both piggies happy and healthy
Guinea-pigGaga said:
I am sorry to hear that little Albie is causing you such concern!

However, when taking everything into consideration, has you vet considered whether/suggested that Albie may have an allergy?!

Perhaps, if you were to provide some information on your setup/ routine etc, forum members may be able to suggest a possible allergen?!

I do wonder whether you bed Albie, and Pastrami on wood shavings?! :)
Click to expand...
 
I am so pleased that you have found the cause for Albie's symptoms!

Fortunately, today, there are a number of alternative beddings available!

However, may I suggest that you consider finding a more cavy savvy veterinarian?!

:)
 
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