Dry Flakey Skin & Hair Loss on top of foot

[GaryNibbler_Pigs]

Hi all,

I'm new here so please let me know if I've posted in the wrong section etc.

I've noticed a small patch of hair loss on my guinea pigs top of foot. The skin looks dry and flakey. Any ideas what might be the cause?

Extra info: these are indoor pigs, their cage is fully cleaned and disinfected every 2/3 days, they have cage liners (guineadad) which are washed with non-bio. No other patches on the guinea pig, and his behaviour seems normal. His cage mate has no patches. Both guinea pigs are 1 1/2 years old, and have lived with me since a few months old and get along well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GaryNibbler_Pigs]

Picture enclosed below:
PXL-20220821-205640844

Thanks!

 

[Siikibam]

Hello and welcome. It takes a short while before you can directly post photos on the forum. But that does make it easier rather than a link.

Guinea pigs do have a natural bald spot on the inside of their front paws because that’s where they use to clean themselves. Given the location of the bald spot, I would have it looked at by the vet. Hopefully it’s something simple.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. This is a patch that my piggy had last year. He was treated for mites and it did clear it up. Definitely get him seen by the vets to get the right diagnosis and proper strength treatment. Good luck.

 

[GaryNibbler_Pigs]

Thanks so much for your help guys! I'll book him in with the vets, I thought I could exclude mites as the cause because they are indoor pigs and have cage liners which are cleaned regularly, but you're right, that's not to say it might be mites. Especially during summer, I put them out on the grass for a couple of hours per day. Thanks again!

 

[weepweeps]

I could be wrong but I think they always have mites but can get a flare up if they are stressed or unwell. Maybe the recent hot weather disrupted the balance.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes, most piggies (regardless of where they live or how clean their cages are kept) have mites on them all the time but they are kept in check by the immune system. If the immune system is reduced for any reason, the mites take their advantage.

Definitely have your piggy seen by a vet.

 

[GaryNibbler_Pigs]

Thanks for all the useful suggestions, he's booked into the vets this afternoon so hopefully, I can get to the bottom of this!

On closer inspection, it appears as though the underside of his foot is crusty, I wonder if maybe the outdoor grass time (particularly on dry grass with the recent droughts) might have caused a possible bumblefoot/fungal infection. Excuse the slightly blurry photo, it was the best I could get with this wriggly pig!

I'll post later today about what the vets say, for future reference for any other piggy owners

Edit: I know his nails need cutting, it's next on my to-do list once the vets have checked him over!

 

[GaryNibbler_Pigs]

Hi all, just an update from the vets. They took some tape samples from the guinea pig's foot (dry skin and a few hairs) which has ruled out mites and fungal infections.

The vet suggests it is more likely a mild case of bumblefoot, caused by having outdoor time on rough grass. The hair loss on top is likely due to excessive itching because it was inflamed. He has been prescribed some steroid cream and a short course of antibiotics in case of any further infection.

Thanks again for all your suggestions! They were really helpful