Oh no! Some white flaky patches

[rp1993]

Spotted some white flaky patches on Pringles fur today we have noticed he has been itching a lot the last few days.
They are both booked into the vets on Tuesday, anything I can do in the mean time?

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t think there is I’m afraid, sorry. Hopefully it’s nothing.

 

[rp1993]

I don’t think there is I’m afraid, sorry. Hopefully it’s nothing.

Thanks! I didn’t think there was, just hoping it is not mites, there are no bald patches or anything just flakes and scratching.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks! I didn’t think there was, just hoping it is not mites, there are no bald patches or anything just flakes and scratching.

Have you had a feel of the bum hair in the lower layers whether you can feel some tiny, tiny beads stuck to the hairs? (Hay mite eggs)

With the recent cold spell with freezing nights, very dry, badly ventilated indoors air from increased heating can also cause these symptoms (itchy dry skin). See whether a bowl of steaming water next to the cage can noticeably ease the itching. In this case and without any other indication of any skin parasites or fungal, you may want to look into air humidifying measures.

However, if in any doubt and if you notice asymmetric bald patches, please see a vet.

 

[rp1993]

Thanks @Wiebke I will have a look for eggs, we do live in a very sealed flat and although we have ventilation the air is rather dry so I will look into getting a humidifier to have near their cage. We cannot see anything in his fur other than the flakes there is no signs of missing fur so I will hope it is that.
both boys are booked into the vets on Tuesday to double check.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke I will have a look for eggs, we do live in a very sealed flat and although we have ventilation the air is rather dry so I will look into getting a humidifier to have near their cage. We cannot see anything in his fur other than the flakes there is no signs of missing fur so I will hope it is that.
both boys are booked into the vets on Tuesday to double check.

In your case, the extra days will hopefully give you more answers. If it is skin parasites, you will notice balding areas, see pale lice crawling or notice spreading hay mites eggs (both mange mites and hay mites are invisible). You should also notice a steady increase of the frequency and intensity of the scratching, which will make a diagnosis easier for a vet if you are dealing with parasites.

Right now, the amount of skin flakes is still within normal parameters and could be caused by dry air issues so it is worth to check that angle first; especially as there is no other visible sign of skin parasites.

 

[rp1993]

The boys have had their check up! The vet couldn’t see any signs of mites or anything but was concerned about the itchening so has given us some Xeno 450 to treat them incase it is the start of something. We need to treat them now and in two weeks. She did also say it could be the hay or dry skin from the air we shall see if this helps.

 

[Claire W]

Fingers crossed the xeno 450 helps with the itchiness. I’m glad the vet couldn’t find anything though

 

[rp1993]

Thanks @Claire W I hope so!

 

[Siikibam]

Hopefully it’s those two.

 

[weepweeps]

Hopefully it’s just a bit of dry skin.

 

[rp1993]

Just thought I’d give an update on Pringles skin, after a gorgeous Guineas oil melt bath (Ino a lot of people will disagree with this but we used the stuff specifically for sensitive skin), the Xeno 450 spot in treatments and purchasing a little humidifier to have next to the cage, Pringles skin is looking much better! He is only scratching to normal levels so I am confident we have nipped this in the bud and it was just some dry skin!

 

[rp1993]

And a picture of the happy chap just cos!

 

[rp1993]

Just done another check of Pringle and it looks like the flakes are back, I’m thinking could it possibly be something fungal, as there are some larger chunks in his fur, he doesn’t seem to be scratching much but he has been very skittish this week (not sure if it’s linked).
Does Xeno just treat parasites? Is it likely he will need a fungal medication if that’s what it is?
Any advice would be welcome! I will be giving the vets another call!