Dry Skin

[Caitlin Wilson]

I noticed that my guinea pig had been itching quite a lot recently, so I took him to the vets where they checked him and told me that he had dry skin and it was nothing to worry about. She also gave me a shampoo to use. I'm going to use that on him tomorrow but I was wondering if anybody had any tips on anything that I could do to help him out. I haven't experienced this before so I wanted to know if there was anything else I could do rather than just regular baths. Thank you in advance.

 

[DM030819]

How long have you had your guinea pig? Is the scratching something new or has he always scratched?

The reason I ask is that dry skin could be possible, but it could be something like mites. They can cause dandruff like flakes on the skin.

What shampoo have you been given? I've been very lucky and only had to treat a pig for mites once. He got some Ivermectin from the vet. We put a few drops on his skin once a week for a few weeks and he was okay after that.

 

[Caitlin Wilson]

I've had him for about a month now and I did notice him itching when I got him (I adopted him) but then it seemed to stop for a little bit or I didn't notice it as much as I do now. It started noticing it a lot more about two ago, so I spoke to my vet, and she checked him and couldn't find anything. She gave me antibacterial shampoo, and if it continues she said she would check again. Also, he isn't itching all over, it's just in specific spots.

 

[Caitlin Wilson]

How long have you had your guinea pig? Is the scratching something new or has he always scratched?

The reason I ask is that dry skin could be possible, but it could be something like mites. They can cause dandruff like flakes on the skin.

What shampoo have you been given? I've been very lucky and only had to treat a pig for mites once. He got some Ivermectin from the vet. We put a few drops on his skin once a week for a few weeks and he was okay after that.

I've had him for about a month now and I did notice him itching when I got him (I adopted him) but then it seemed to stop for a little bit or I didn't notice it as much as I do now. It started noticing it a lot more about two ago, so I spoke to my vet, and she checked him and couldn't find anything. She gave me antibacterial shampoo, and if it continues she said she would check again. Also, he isn't itching all over, it's just in specific spots.

 

[DM030819]

I'm still inclined towards mites.

As I'm not a vet I can't request you to not do as your vet says with the shampoo but if it doesn't work or gives him a reaction please go to the vet again and ask about mites.

 

[Caitlin Wilson]

I'm still inclined towards mites.

As I'm not a vet I can't request you to not do as your vet says with the shampoo but if it doesn't work or gives him a reaction please go to the vet again and ask about mites.

I don't think it is mites because he has none of the signs, if anything I thought it may be lice. I have washed him with the shampoo, and my vet is coming down to my house tomorrow for his, and my other babies, monthly check anyways so I will ask her to take a look. It wasn't my normal vet that checked him last time as she was away on holiday.