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Question

My guinea pig is biting and scratching herself. She has made sores. She has also lost her hair in these places. She is eating fine. I don't see any "bugs".

Submitted: 20 days and 6 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Gender: Female
Pet's Age: <1
Type of Animal: guinea pig

Already Tried:
I have put some anti- itching cream. I have cleaned the sores with peroxide.

Posted by NancyH 20 days and 6 hours ago.

Info Request

What bedding do you use?

Is she handled by children at all?

Is she new to you?

20 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

The bedding is an all natural Called Critter care. Comes in a sealed plastic bag. Buy it at Pets-mart or Walmart. We have had her about 9 months. This has been going on about 1 month or so. My son does not handle her any more he is scared of her now she looks horrible. I clean her cage now. I was afraid she might be in pain and if he hurt her maybe she would bite him. Then he would probably drop her.

Posted by NancyH 20 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

This could be skin mites, nutritonal problems or be a skin fungus called ringworm.

You can read about skin mites and their treatment here

http://www.guinealynx.info/parasites.html

and they are often not visible to the eye.

You can read about ringworm fungus here

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

Nutrition here

http://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html

and more on skin issues here

http://www.guinealynx.info/hairloss.html

I cannot see the ingredients in the Critter Care bedding but if it has pine or cedar in it then those can be an issue. Many small animals react to the volatile oils in the pine or cedar shavings with a skin issue.

I'd plan on seeing a vet with your pet if the bedding is not the issue.

Hope this helps you!

 

 

20 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

There is no cedar or pine in the bedding. I wouldn't think it is the bedding. With what you have outlined my guess would be the skin mites. Without sounding heartless.... if it is the skin mites is that something that can easily be taken care of? I am not inclined to spend more on the guinea pig than the cost.. Especially if it is something that is hard to cure. Is there something I can do treat a mite problem myself?

Accepted Answer

If its skin mites treatment with ivermectin usually is a quick cure or possibly you could use Revolution in the right dose.

If its fungal infection its usually a topical treatment.

Both would require vet care because the meds are prescription.

You can read about mite treatment here

http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

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Expert: NancyH
Pos. Feedback: 99.5 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 11/4/2009

Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed

30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care

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