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Cheilitis

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wendyhouse

wendyhouse

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi

We have spotted scabbing on Biscuit's top lip - I've attached a picture. I had a quick look on the forum and wonder whether it could be cheilitis? He shares a cage with his brother Bumble. I've checked our other guineas and Patch has it to a lesser extent. Is it infectious? I can separate them.

Any help would be appreciated before I book them in at the vets.

Thanks

Wendyimage.webp
 
Hi! Cheilitis is a lip infection, caused by feeding acid fruit/tomato, too much and/or too often. It is not infectious. However, it needs to be seen by a vet. The fruit acid causes tiny cracks in the lips through which germs can get in (fungal or bacterial etc.), so your vet needs to decide how he wants to treat it. Ask the vet to also check the inside of the mouth, as that can also be affected.

Please take your boys off tomato and any fresh fruit for the time being and only feed it sparingly and in small amounts (no more than twice a week) once the cheilitis has completely healed off.
Here are our diet recommendations. The daily vitamin C comes from veg and not fruit.
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
 
Hi Weibke

Thanks for your advice. They don't like tomato and don't often get fruit but I think I've been too generous with the cucumber and kale I don't think that helps. I've seen Blistex recommended is it worth trying some for tomorrow before I get to the vets on Monday? Thanks again.
 
wendyhouse said:
Hi Weibke

Thanks for your advice. They don't like tomato and don't often get fruit but I think I've been too generous with the cucumber and kale I don't think that helps. I've seen Blistex recommended is it worth trying some for tomorrow before I get to the vets on Monday? Thanks again.
Click to expand...

No, please DO NOT home treat on spec, as it can impede/falsify a clear diagnosis. Human meds don't belong on guinea pigs, especially not on such a delicate areas as lips without a vet recommendation. Sadly, there are far too many ultimately harmful tips like these out on the internet. :(

I would strongly recommend to go easy on kale, as it is very high in calcium and can contribute to bladder problems in the long term. you can find more information on that in our diet thread.
 
To update I took Bumble and Biscuit to the vets, both displaying same symptoms and living in the same cage. Patch also has symptoms he lives in a cage with Zoe his mum and Lola his aunt. The vet said it was ringworm and they have been prescribed 1/2 mil Itrafungal daily for 14 days and bathing with diluted hipiscrub. The scabs seem to disappear then re-appear, we are 6 days in and today Lola has slight scabbing whilst Patch's scabs have gone. I will update again next week.
 
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