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Dandruff, mites, lice or something else?

B

Basil and Manuel

New Born Pup
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Hello!

Could anybody give me some advice on Basil's skin (1 and a half year old boar)?

I've noticed him 'shedding' more often that usual, and has some dandruff looking specs over his lower back/rear end. I've ordered some gorgeous guineas' shampoo and will be giving him a bum bath as soon as that arrives (his grease gland is in need of a clean too!), just not sure how long to hold out before visiting a vet!

He's not itching any more than usual and is completely himself personality wise, eating, drinking and popcorning as usual. Fur is soft as usual, just a little greasy around his back end (hence the bum bath). I haven't noticed any changes in his brother Manuel either.

I've read that humidity/temperature changes may affect piggies skin and shedding and we have had the heating on a little recently so I'm wondering if this could be a factor.

I've attached a picture from last night, but today it looks as though there is less dandruff/whatever it could be so keeping my fingers crossed this is a good sign!
 

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Do the specks brush out or ate they stuck to each hair shaft?

If they are stuck to the hair and when you run your hand down them they don’t come off, then that indicates he has mites. If that is the case then don’t use any shampoo and instead go straight to the vet for treatment.
 
It seems to be a mix of both, some brush off if I run my hand over him, but there are some bigger flakes of skin that are stuck to the bottom of pieces of fur that come out - does this sound like typical mite indication? (Never had mites before so not 100% on what exactly to look out for other than itchiness!)
 
Do you have a magnifying glass/microscope? This is the process I have used for identifying suspicious looking flaky things. Get a damp piece of toilet/kitchen paper and wipe it across the hair. View whatever you find under the magnifying glass or microscope with a bright light. If unsure take a picture.
 
Pantalaimon said:
Do you have a magnifying glass/microscope? This is the process I have used for identifying suspicious looking flaky things. Get a damp piece of toilet/kitchen paper and wipe it across the hair. View whatever you find under the magnifying glass or microscope with a bright light. If unsure take a picture.
Click to expand...
I tried to get them booked in with the vets today (Manuel now has the same symptoms so mites is seeming more likely) but couldn't get through, I will try again tomorrow but I'll try and see what I can identify using that method in the mean time- thank you :)
 
UPDATE!

They've seen a vet now and it is mites- luckily caught early. They're otherwise in very good health so just got to let the treatment do its thing now :)
 
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