Barbering

O

olgadapolga

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
130
Location
Bishop's Stortford
Hi there,

We have four boars housed in pairs in large c & c cages. Two are brothers and about 10months. They both have V marks their backs where the fur is shorter which I think is a sign of barbering? They spend time seperately in their dens which is where I think they are barbering themselves rather than each other. I've given them lots more to chew on recently, they like willow balls from pets and home and chew them down really fast, they also have a hay and carrot cardboard house which they have chewed on a lot. They have a roomy cage. Any tips at all? Or do some guineas just do this/grow out of it, as our other two don't. I've checked the fur and skin and all looks fine just shorter on the v. Didn't think a vet trip was needed. Many thanks
 
Please do get them seen by a vet as soon as possible. A V mark on their back is a classic sign of a mange mite issue. Only a vet can diagnose though

New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

In terms of barbering -
Barbering can occur for a multitude of reasons so it’s not something they grow out of - stress, pain, overgrooming etc. The guide below explains barbering further. As i said though, in your case I would be concerned that a v shaped mark that they both have is in fact not barbering.

Barbering ( Eating Hair)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your messages. I will get them checked by a vet. Here's a photo of the v shape. It's a shortening of the fur not down to the skin.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20210625_085800.webp
    IMG_20210625_085800.webp
    41.2 KB · Views: 12
I agree this looks rather like the start of mites with the characteristic v-shape but you have caught this very early and a vet should easily be able to confirm the diagnosis with a quick skin scrape and fur samples from the affected area and prescribe suitable treatment.
My daughter's new bunny had the same thing recently, she thought it was maybe just a summer moult but the v-shape made me suspicious so we popped along to the vets and he has xeno450 mite treatment prescribed- usually 3 doses, spotted on the skin at the back of the neck 2 weeks apart, are needed and the vet will advise on dosage based on weight.
 
Thank you will book an appointment. I wash their fleece at a high temperature. Can it spread across fleece? So if I give the pair without the mites the washed fleece of the pair with mites is that ok?
 
Good hygiene is important but I personally feel it would be better to ensure everything is kept separate while you are dealing with this instead of running the risk of it spreading.

The guide explains the hygiene required - using F10 to clean the cage and items in the cage, changing hay etc
 
I called the vet for an appointment and they recommended using Xeno at home first and see how that goes, and get an appointment if not improving.
 
Ok. Shame they wouldn’t actually see you to confirm but I assume they told you which one to use etc?
Definitely still follow all the other hygiene tips - using F10 etc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top