Scabs, flakey skin & bald patches

[PiggiePerson]

Hi everyone,

Noticed a lot of dry, flakey on my piggie today, with a couple of dry scab patches and bald areas. Within one of the large bald areas there are two red lines, not sure if you’ll be able to see these on the photos. In these bald patches he has hair that is growing back as it’s quite short - anyone know what this could be?! Looking to get a vet appt but keen to know if anyone has experienced similar.

For context my pig is a boar living with another, but they don’t fight and live outdoors.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

Noticed a lot of dry, flakey on my piggie today, with a couple of dry scab patches and bald areas. Within one of the large bald areas there are two red lines, not sure if you’ll be able to see these on the photos. In these bald patches he has hair that is growing back as it’s quite short - anyone know what this could be?! Looking to get a vet appt but keen to know if anyone has experienced similar.

For context my pig is a boar living with another, but they don’t fight and live outdoors.

Hi

Please have your piggy vet checked. The diagnosis requires a hands-on examination. You may be dealing with mange mites but it could also be a fungal skin infection, which requires different treatment. We cannot tell from your picture.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[Guinea Pig Magazine]

As Wiebke says, vet visit needed. The two red lines look like teeth scratches due to irritation of the skin. Please be quick about this as both those conditions can spiral out of control very quickly.

 

[PiggiePerson]

Hi both! Thanks for your responses. Saw the vet today and after a hands on examination she did not think this was mites as the look and feel of the skin was not typical of the condition. Plus they don’t itch. Vet has prescribed douxo s3 pyo shampoo which we’re to use on both pigs (the other has dandruffy bits in his crown) twice weekly for 2-3 weeks to see if the condition improves. Was nervous about bathing a piggy so regularly but obviously need to get the skin balance back, hopefully this clears it up!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi both! Thanks for your responses. Saw the vet today and after a hands on examination she did not think this was mites as the look and feel of the skin was not typical of the condition. Plus they don’t itch. Vet has prescribed douxo s3 pyo shampoo which we’re to use on both pigs (the other has dandruffy bits in his crown) twice weekly for 2-3 weeks to see if the condition improves. Was nervous about bathing a piggy so regularly but obviously need to get the skin balance back, hopefully this clears it up!

Hi

Please make use of our illustrated bathing guide that shows you exactly how you go about it in a safe form and avoid accidents from blind jumps and other mistakes: Bathing (including cleaning grease glands)
Be aware that what you have been given is only an antiseptic shampoo and that it cannot heal if your guinea pigs have got a fungal skin infection (in this case, please follow the advice in our very detailed practical ringworm hygiene and care guide) or it is skin parasites after all.

New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites
Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures