Crested Guinea Pigs.

[emsimm]

Hey everyone, so i just recently bought 2 long haired, show baby guinea pigs. They are also crested but 1 of their 'crest's' is really rough and the other ones isnt. I was wondering if its normal for this to happen and if not, what would i have to do to make it better? (Btw their 3 weeks old) Thank you

 

[sport_billy]

hello, welcome to the forum

We don't support 'showing' in regards to club/breeder shows on the forum as are a pro rescue forum and showing and breeding go hand in hand - so won't be able to offer any help.

Have you thought of not showing your piggies and having them as pets instead? Piggies are prey animals so shows aren't really the best thing for animals with such strong prey instincts

Lee

 

[emsimm]

Hey Lee, yes I am keeping them as pets and not planning to raise them as show piggies. That's just what their breed are. I was just wondering if I need to take him to the VET or not regarding his crest

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everyone, so i just recently bought 2 long haired, show baby guinea pigs. They are also crested but 1 of their 'crest's' is really rough and the other ones isnt. I was wondering if its normal for this to happen and if not, what would i have to do to make it better? (Btw their 3 weeks old) Thank you

Hi and welcome

In what way is the crest rough?

Have you had your babies vet checked, in case it is fungal? They are very young yet to go to a new home, which means that their immune system is not yet fully developed when they have to already cope with both the separation from their family and the move to new surroundings. Unfortunately, while their are breeding standards, there are no welfare standards and accordingly there is no enforcement of welfare standards for the care and breeding conditions outside of a show.

Please be aware that we do explicitly not support intentional breeding and breeding competition showing on this forum.
Terms of Service And Forum Rules
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...-breed-showing-forum-policy-explained.134670/

 

[emsimm]

I'm really bad at explaining this but when you feel the crest, it's very dry and bumpy on the skin bit. And might even be scabby. And no I haven't yet seen a VET, do you think I should see one as soon as I can?

Thankyou

 

[emsimm]

Here's a photo

 

[Wiebke]

I'm really bad at explaining this but when you feel the crest, it's very dry and bumpy on the skin bit. And might even be scabby. And no I haven't yet seen a VET, do you think I should see one as soon as I can?

Thankyou

Yes, please. That looks like a fungal crust. The sooner you can treat both (the companion in order to prevent it from coming down with it, too), the better. We cannot and are in fact legally not allowed to diagnose online without seeing and handling a piggy.
We cannot replace a vet visit, but we can tell you when you need to see a vet and help you get the best out of a vet visit, as well as helping you support your guinea pigs during treatment, so you can care for them to the best of your ability.
Please see a good vet for the correct treatment. Recommended UK vets: Guinea Pig Vet Locator

Because of their young age and vulnerability, you need to be rather careful. Do not treat on spec with cheap low dosed shop products or home remedies. You can easily make things worse rather than better.

If you are unlucky, it is ringworm, which is by far the most aggressive and transmittable form of fungal (transmission includes humans and nother mammals). Ringworm is not at all rare. It takes 10-14 days between the infection and the outbreak, so exposure must have happened at the breeder's.

Here is our very detailed guide for how to prevent an infection from spreading and recurring. The products mentioned are suitable for young guinea pigs if you come back with a fungal diagnosis.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[sport_billy]

Hey Lee, yes I am keeping them as pets and not planning to raise them as show piggies. That's just what their breed are. I was just wondering if I need to take him to the VET or not regarding his crest

Ah apologies..... I am so pleased

oh gosh! yes, that is fungal as Wiebke has said above. Definite vet visit, please let us know how you get on. Sending lots of healing vibes