Crusty skin

[Jerler]

Hello all,

I have a question aboit my guinea pig. I want to preface this post by saying I am calling the vet to see if I can visit them tomorrow, but I think they'll be full and so I'll be visiting them after the weekend.

I've noticed she has been particulary itchy. I've examined her, she has a crusty spot on her belly, on her bum and part of her back. There is no hair loss whatsoever, and only on a spot on the bum there is a tiny red scab. Most of all I'm seeing crusty stuff (I think dry skin?) sitting in her hair. To lessen the itch I've covered the spots with a bit of vaseline for now. I have experience with scabies, but it doesnt seem to be that since there is no hair loss, bald spots and bloody scabs.

What do you think this could be, and how can I keep her comfortable uptil the visit to the vets?

Her cagemate is fine and doesnt have any crusty spots or is excessively itching herself.

Thanks for helping

 

[sport_billy]

This could be fungal or start of mites. I would not expect mites starting on belly so thinking fungal usually. So they need a vets visit asap to diagnose and make sure she gets the correct treatment. Do you have any photos?

 

[Jerler]

Hi,
Thanks for your fast reply! I have attached a photo to this post, the grease is the vaseline, but you can see some crusty stuff and the little scab.

I will make sure to tell my vet its urgent.

 

[Jerler]

To add: I've read up on the possible causes of the crusty skin, and specifically ringworm suggests it can be caused by stress.

The past few weeks there have been constructions in and around my appartment complex. For the big stuff that happened in my house, I made sure they had a safe and quiet spot in my neighbours house. There was also small construction, and alot of strangers walking through the house, and alot of noise coming through the walls. I'm suspecting this might have started it?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do not put any creams on a guinea pig when you suspect a medical issue. Unfortunately now the area has Vaseline on it (which should not have been put on in any event - I’d be concerned about your piggy being able to access the area and lick the vaseline) evidence a vet needs to make a diagnosis has been hidden - the any tell tale signs of ringworm for example have now changed appearance so it may now be harder for a vet to be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

The immune system can be compromised by stress which can allow opportunistic parasites etc to take over.

Let us know what the vet says

 

[Jerler]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply! I appreciate and understand the concern with the vaseline- though, do not worry, it has no acids, e-numbers or other unnatural, dangerous stuff for guinea pigs in it. Its a natural fatty that has been proven to be not dangerous for guinea pigs. Its just to supress the itching to give her a break, its dried up overnight, so the vets will be able to see the crusty area as it is, as well as taking a sample.

The vets have recommended me this fatty cream before, they said its harmless, i've checked myself and it is. My previous guinea pig had dry feet and it has been of a big help

My vet is currently seeing if she can squeeze us in today, she will be calling me back a.s.a.p.

 

[Jerler]

Hello,

I've just been to the vets!
She examined her and put some stuff under the microscope, but she said that there was nothing strange to see. She said its probably stress, and that its ok to continue with bits of vaseline. If I notice my other guinea pig starts to scratch too, I can come pick up some medicin against paracites. For now she doesnt think its that.

I am relieved and I hope my little piggie will feel better soon Thanks for the advice and the insights

 

[sport_billy]

I’d be wanting a second option at this point. Please seek the view of another vet. That looks quite sore on your piggy.

 

[sport_billy]

Just coming back to this, I would be querying mites with the vet as a possibility

Guinea Lynx :: Mange Mites

 

[Jerler]

Thank you for the information and insight, I will be consulting a vet for a second opinion asap.

I hope its not mites, but as you and the information say, it might be overlooked. I have the feeling my vet did a thorough search, and my guinea pig seems to feel alot better today. She is also still eating and being herself, and less itchy. I trust my vet because she is specialized in rodents and guinea pigs.

Though I feel a second opinion wouldnt hurt just to be sure that its really not mites, or it is and I can treat her with the corresponding medicines for it

I will come back to let you know what the other vet has said.

 

[sport_billy]

It’s just that cuts rarely appear in skin for no reason. Let us know what the vet says, sending healing vibes to your piggy

 

[Jerler]

I have been to the other vet, and they basically said the same thing: that they can't see anything strange or out of the ordinary. Other than that he said the skin looks healthy, a normal color and no crusty stuff. I made him aware of the article about the undetected or overlooked mites.

He said if she starts scratching again I should call my own vet and pick up the stronghold/selemectin as I had agreed on with her. I asked and this is for parasites and mites.

Other than that my piggy has been scratching significantly less, and is still her usual self. I will keep a close eye on her and keep checking her fur and skin every day.