• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Bald dry patch behind ear

Athena'sSlave

Athena'sSlave

New Born Pup
Joined
May 30, 2020
Messages
22
Reaction score
38
Points
200
Location
UK
Hi!

Today we were examining our guinea pig, Biscuits. We noticed that she has a bald dry patch behind both her ears (one is larger than the other). The patches are also sensitive and she doesn't like being touched on her ears. We phoned the vet and they said to phone back to book a vet appointment for tomorrow. In the meantime, can anyone tell us what this could possibly be? Biscuits is a four month old sow. She is eating and drinking normally and her behaviour is normal.

Thank you!
 
Athena'sSlave said:
Hi!

Today we were examining our guinea pig, Biscuits. We noticed that she has a bald dry patch behind both her ears (one is larger than the other). The patches are also sensitive and she doesn't like being touched on her ears. We phoned the vet and they said to phone back to book a vet appointment for tomorrow. In the meantime, can anyone tell us what this could possibly be? Biscuits is a four month old sow. She is eating and drinking normally and her behaviour is normal.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Bald patches behind the ears are normal as long as they are symmetrical on both sides of the body.
Guinea pigs regulate their body temperature via the blood flow through the ear. This wouldn't be effective if they were in constant contact with hair.
Please take the time to read this guide here; it helps you to learn what is normal and what not: Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?

The guide is part of our new owners guide collection, which aims to answer all the little and larger questions, concerns or pitfalls that new owners often encounter. Unlike a book, we can update and add to our guides at need. You may want to bookmark the link and use it as a very helpful resource: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Our full information on an even wider range of topics can be accessedvia the shortcut on the top bar, but you are always welcome to ask any questions you have in our specially monitored Care sections.
 
Welcome to the forum.
I wish I had known about the bald patch behind the ears when I first had guinea pigs as an adult - and before I found the forum.
I did take mine to the vet!
 
Merab's Slave said:
Welcome to the forum.
I wish I had known about the bald patch behind the ears when I first had guinea pigs as an adult - and before I found the forum.
I did take mine to the vet!
Click to expand...

If it makes you feel any better, I did the same thing over a boar's grease gland donkeys years ago. The things we learn :whistle:
 
Hi everyone,
I checked her ears again and they definitely are not symmetrical - one is a lot larger than the other. It’s also kind of patchy (hard to explain) and doesn’t look good. Is this some kind of fungal infection or something? Maybe ringworm? Here is the best phot I could get.
516CBB86-7F15-4336-9B9F-C2B929CF569C.webp
It’s to the right if the ear part. Sorry if the photo is a bit blurry and incomprehensible. She wouldn’t sit still!
Thank you everyone,
Athena, Biscuits, and Slave
 
Doesn’t look like anything to worry about from that pic to me?! But obv I’m not a vet!
Could you maybe get a pic of each side, or from above of both to compare them? Can’t see dry flaky skin etc. Could help to wrap her in a towel or someone else hold her/take the pic!
 
Oh god sorry, that was what I was supposed to be saying 🤦‍♀️Missed that at the end, sorry brain dead me this week 🤦‍♀️(no excuse 🤐now! 🤦‍♀️)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top