Help with guinea pig wound

[annsuejim]

hello i have a 4 month old guinea that has this under her front left arm in the armpit. This picture was taken on the 7th on january and today it looks so much worse. I thought it was a scab of some kind due to a bite since i tried to bond her another older female and the older one seemed to bite her whenever i did. please if anyone knows what this looks like and what i can do she is eating and drinking normally she squeaks for food. I have cleaned it kind of with a saline solution and put some aquaphor on it since i dont have neosporin yet. Vet is very expensive so I'm trying to hold iff in going unless she really needs it. I see her trying to lick or bite it and sometimes scratch it. could it be from not cutting her nails enough? I'm a first time owner and really need the advice kn what it could be. She is very skittish already and she bites me when i try to look at it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do see a vet for any wound, particularly one which is getting worse. There isn’t a picture attached so we can’t see exactly what you mean but the reality is that our advice is always to see a vet.
Things such as abscesses and infections which require painkillers, antibiotics etc can occur so seeking vet advice is always important.

Vets are expensive but are an essential part of life with piggies. Things can’t be treated at home and a lot of us save up into a vet fund each month so that we can see a vet for any eventuality without having to worry about paying for it.

I hope she is ok

 

[annsuejim]

the first photo is taken on the 7th of january and the 2nd much worse looking picture was taken on the 14th of january. I have put antibiotic ointment on it after cleaning it with saline solution. she seems okay i see her either licking or biting it after i cleaned it but she seems fine she is able to walk no limping or anything

 

[Piggies&buns]

That should be seen by a vet.
Generally speaking, licking or biting at it is a sign it’s uncomfortable for her. Piggies will usually leave wounds alone if they aren’t bothering them.
We can never advise anybody to treat anything at home as we don’t know what issue home treating might be missing (risks things getting worse by home treating).

 

[annsuejim]

this is it right now when i cleaned it again with the saline solution. Will definitely look for a small animal vet in my area asap! thank you sm for the reply and advice

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I fully endorse the advice given above. Guinea pigs that are self-harming and that are biting into their own skin only ever do so because of pain and major discomfort. Addressing the symptoms on spec at home will not address the underlying discomfort and pain and only prolong the suffering and make it worse - up to including an eventual death in agony in the worst case.

The same goes for treating for potential causes on spec - like for instance mange mites; pet shop products are not strong enough to cut through an acute and advanced infestation so you will need a vet grade product at the correct strength since overdosing can make your piggy very ill. Please be aware that there are lots more different causes for hair loss and that we are neither qualified to replace a vet nor can we replace a hands-on vet examination.

However, if you have got a new piggy, you have certain customer rights as long as you document the case (ideally with a pieace of paper with the date in the picture).
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[piggieminder]

If you go to www.laguineapigrescue.com on their home page is a link to recommended vets in your area. That may be a good place for you to start your search for a vet.