Guinea Pig Scab

[Nikku Itah]

Hello! I just made an account today, my name is Nikku and I have 2 female guinea pigs.

Today, I spotted some sort of mark on one of my piggies and when I got a closer look, it looked like a dry wound or scab of some sort on the side of her left front leg. I also noticed she was missing a small patch of fur and that’s how I was able to see it. It doesn’t seem to hurt, judging by how she didn’t react when I gently ran my thumb over it, but I’m unsure if that’s just because she was frightened by me since I had to take her out of the cage to get a closer look at it. I’m a bit worried because I’ve never had this happen to me before so I’m at a loss, to be honest. That’s why I’m here.

I’d show the pictures I took, but I read that this website doesn’t condone showing pictures of guinea pigs? It doesn’t seem to look like a bite mark so I’m unsure if she was bitten by my other pig, but I also don’t really know what it could be if it’s not her being bitten.

Would anyone happen to have any advice?

 

[Joshbob]

It could be sarcoptic mange (mites). Google it. There are shampoos and de-wormers you could get online or you could always see a vet.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

It's always best to go to the vets for diagnosis and treatment of skin problems as over the counter medicine isn't strong enough to clear the various possible conditions.
You are welcome to post photos of your piggies to show what is wrong (or just to show us how cute they are!). What this forum does not approve of is "showing" guinea pigs as in breeding them to look a certain way and trying to win awards at shows (similar to Crufts but for guinea pigs). That's because it results in lots of "imperfect" unwanted guinea pigs needing loving homes, as well as being bad for the pig's involved.

 

[Nikku Itah]

It could be sarcoptic mange (mites). Google it. There are shampoos and de-wormers you could get online or you could always see a vet.

It's always best to go to the vets for diagnosis and treatment of skin problems as over the counter medicine isn't strong enough to clear the various possible conditions.
You are welcome to post photos of your piggies to show what is wrong (or just to show us how cute they are!). What this forum does not approve of is "showing" guinea pigs as in breeding them to look a certain way and trying to win awards at shows (similar to Crufts but for guinea pigs). That's because it results in lots of "imperfect" unwanted guinea pigs needing loving homes, as well as being bad for the pig's involved.

Thank you both. I did think to visit the vet, but I guess I was just hoping for a cheaper route. However, I WILL visit the vet, as that is the safest option, yes.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello! I just made an account today, my name is Nikku and I have 2 female guinea pigs.

Today, I spotted some sort of mark on one of my piggies and when I got a closer look, it looked like a dry wound or scab of some sort on the side of her left front leg. I also noticed she was missing a small patch of fur and that’s how I was able to see it. It doesn’t seem to hurt, judging by how she didn’t react when I gently ran my thumb over it, but I’m unsure if that’s just because she was frightened by me since I had to take her out of the cage to get a closer look at it. I’m a bit worried because I’ve never had this happen to me before so I’m at a loss, to be honest. That’s why I’m here.

I’d show the pictures I took, but I read that this website doesn’t condone showing pictures of guinea pigs? It doesn’t seem to look like a bite mark so I’m unsure if she was bitten by my other pig, but I also don’t really know what it could be if it’s not her being bitten.

Would anyone happen to have any advice?

Hi and welcome

Please upload a picture. We do not support competitive breed fanciers shows and have major concerns over guinea pigs dressed up in costumes they cannot get out of, but it very much helps us if you posted a picture because otherwise all we can do is speculate as much as you do! It is not a location that is typical for any of the most common skin problems.

PS: You are always welcome to post pictures of your happy piggies in our Photo and Video section in the Chat forum.

 

[Nikku Itah]

Hi and welcome

Please upload a picture. We do not support competitive breed fanciers shows and have major concerns over guinea pigs dressed up in costumes they cannot get out of, but it very much helps us if you posted a picture because otherwise all we can do is speculate as much as you do! It is not a location that is typical for any of the most common skin problems.

PS: You are always welcome to post pictures of your happy piggies in our Photo and Video section in the Chat forum.

Thank you for the info! Here are the 2 photos I took, one with flash and one without.

I’d like to add that the scab looks much redder in the photos than it was in actuality. I have already scheduled a vet checkup for her on the 11th and am having my other guinea pig checked out too, just in case.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the info! Here are the 2 photos I took, one with flash and one without.

I’d like to add that the scab looks much redder in the photos than it was in actuality. I have already scheduled a vet checkup for her on the 11th and am having my other guinea pig checked out too, just in case.View attachment 117080View attachment 117081

Hi!

Thank you for the picture. Please have your piggies checked for potential ringworm rather than mange mites.
In the meantime, I would strongly recommend to get hold of a vet grade disinfectant, one way gloves and some nizoral shampoo for yourself since ringworm is the single most transmittable problem between species (including humans). The tiny invisible spores are long lived, which is why ringworm is by far the most common issue that shop piggies can come with because it takes a real effort to get on top of.
Please take the time to carefully read the links below; you should find them very helpful. They give you information on your customer rights and on ringworm hygiene and pictures of how an outbreak progresses. Like with flu, once you have an acute ringworm patch it needs to run its due course and get worse before it gets better.
In the last dozen years we have about found every possible angle of transmission but have also had the time to work out how to best counter it; that is why our hygiene tips work and can help you to get on top of it once and for all.
Unless/until you know otherwise, please follow the advice to prevent the spores from getting everywhere.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

All the best!

 

[Nikku Itah]

Hi and welcome

Please upload a picture. We do not support competitive breed fanciers shows and have major concerns over guinea pigs dressed up in costumes they cannot get out of, but it very much helps us if you posted a picture because otherwise all we can do is speculate as much as you do! It is not a location that is typical for any of the most common skin problems.

PS: You are always welcome to post pictures of your happy piggies in our Photo and Video section in the Chat forum.

Thank you for the info! Here are the 2 photos I took, one with flash and one without.

I’d like to add that the scab looks much redder in the photos than it was in actuality. I have already scheduled a vet checkup for her on the 11th and am having my other guinea pig checked out too, just in case. Today, it looks like her scabs came off though? I don’t know if she picked it off or whatnot, but the scab is gone and it’s still red.

Hi!

Thank you for the picture. Please have your piggies checked for potential ringworm rather than mange mites.
In the meantime, I would strongly recommend to get hold of a vet grade disinfectant, one way gloves and some nizoral shampoo for yourself since ringworm is the single most transmittable problem between species (including humans). The tiny invisible spores are long lived, which is why ringworm is by far the most common issue that shop piggies can come with because it takes a real effort to get on top of.
Please take the time to carefully read the links below; you should find them very helpful. They give you information on your customer rights and on ringworm hygiene and pictures of how an outbreak progresses. Like with flu, once you have an acute ringworm patch it needs to run its due course and get worse before it gets better.
In the last dozen years we have about found every possible angle of transmission but have also had the time to work out how to best counter it; that is why our hygiene tips work and can help you to get on top of it once and for all.
Unless/until you know otherwise, please follow the advice to prevent the spores from getting everywhere.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

All the best!

All right. Thank you very much!