So I've just noticed this cut on my guinea pigs back, he lives in his own cage so I know he hasn't been fighting (dont worry hes next to my others but he just wont get along with them). His nails are quite sharp so I dont know if he could have scratched himself but the cut is quite wide so I'm thinking it is something else like mites or lice but I dont know really how to treat them! I have noticed my other 3 have been itchy but I dont know if it's just because I'm being paranoid and paying way more attention, I havent seen any little scabs or anything on them so I'm not sure. I dont really want to take them to the vets as it's expensive and I know theyll do a skin scraping which I know is not nice for the piggies. Any advice on good creams or something I could treat them all for if it is mites would be great! For now I have just put sudacrem on the cut to help it heal quicker.
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Wound on back
- Thread starter Beckybub
- Start date
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
It looks like a bite which, if self inflicted is a likely indicator of mites, lice or fungal infection. You do need to see a vet for accurate diagnosis which doesn't have to be a skin scraping. Once you know exactly what you are dealing with the vet can recommend an appropriate treatment which you may be able to source online for cheaper. Using shop brought substandard product may improve symptoms initially but are likely to result in building up resistance rather than curing the problem
Is there a treatment I could use just in case for my others too seeing as they do seem to be itching but I cant find anything on them like flakiness, bare patches or little scabs like this one. I obviously dont want to treat something that's not there if its harmful to do that if that makes sense, so if theres something I can use that will help if there is a problem, but not harm them if there isnt that would be best. If there are any suggestions you have for treatments that would be ideal though if theres something I could order online as I'm actually pregnant and not supposed to go out ☹
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
We don’t recommend home treatment on here. The only way to know is to get your piggies to a vet for a hands on check. Is there someone who could take them there for you? Even if they pick them up on the doorstep with no interaction with you?
You really do need a vet to diagnose the condition and then prescribe the correct treatment at the correct dosage. You may be able to speak to a vet first to see if they do need to examine the piggy. Most vets require you to drive to the premises and then wait in the car park until they call you on your mobile, you then put the carrier in an agreed spot, the staff collect and take in and then return the carrier to the agreed point for collection by you. It's minimal contact so should not put you or the vets practice at any risk.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Please call your vet for guidance on what to do. It will be harmful to treat either a bite, mites or fungal because you might get the wrong one of the 3 which will prolong the piggies suffering.
Do you have someone that could take the pig to the vets if the vets ask you to go in? I've given birth during lockdown too so I appreciate how much more difficult it makes everything
I have ordered an ivermectin cream which should help if its mites, and if it is a fungal infection I am going to go and get an anti fungal shampoo next time I do a shop. Hopefully should see an improvement I just dont know when it will arrive! After researching it looks as though treating for both will be the best way forward, and if it isnt one or the other it won't hurt for them to have a preventative treatment a bit like when dogs get their flea treatments.
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Preventative treatment isn’t usually used for piggies if I remember correctly. Where have you ordered from?
You really should have tried to get your piggies to the vets. Or at least emailed photos of the wound and symptoms to a vet.
You really should have tried to get your piggies to the vets. Or at least emailed photos of the wound and symptoms to a vet.
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Preventative treatment is harmful for guinea pigs as it helps to build up resistance to treatment. This means if it's not mites this time but they get mites in future then the mites may be resistant to treatment and therefore prove much more difficult to get rid of. I've also never heard of a cream being used to treat mites before, usually it's a spot on treatment or injection, and it's worth noting that many over the counter products are not strong enough to combat an infection and you can end up with the same resistance problems mentioned above. This is why the forum stance is to always see a vet for an accurate diagnosis before treating