Scabs/skin problem on nose?

[ilovepeegz]

Hello everyone!

We are new guinea pig owners and just got our boys 2 weeks ago. We noticed one of them has some scabs and hair loss on his nose. Both of them have already been to the vet, who didn't find anything wrong with them, although I wonder how good the vet was. He is otherwise healthy and happy, maybe a bit itchy and he does look a bit scruffy but that might just be his fur. His cage mate looks completely healthy.

Could it be a skin problem, or could it be normal? Pretty sure it's not bite marks because the boys don't fight each other. Thank you for reading this!

 

[Siikibam]

I think it could be something fungal. So do take them back to the vet for a check. Where did you get them from?

 

[ilovepeegz]

I think it could be something fungal. So do take them back to the vet for a check. Where did you get them from?

Thank you for your reply! We got them from a petting zoo. I also took them too their vet. However I suspect they didn't take great care of them there, which is why I'm not sure about the vet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with @Siikibam, they need to see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.

 

[Siikibam]

Thank you for your reply! We got them from a petting zoo. I also took them too their vet. However I suspect they didn't take great care of them there, which is why I'm not sure about the vet.

Youll have to try and find a guinea savvy one near you. Have a search for vets and see if their websites mention small/exotic animals.
we don’t recommend home treating because you may not be treating the correct thing. This can mask the symptoms and also make things worse, so vet visit is always recommended. Hope you can find one soon. Be on top of hygiene - washing hands before and after handling, and keeping their cage clean too, especially if they’re on fleece. Let us know how you get on, and welcome once again

 

[ilovepeegz]

Thanks you guys so much for your replies! We'll be looking for a trustworthy vet in our area. Hoping it's not going to be very expensive, but we just want the best for our little dudes I'll update later!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone!

We are new guinea pig owners and just got our boys 2 weeks ago. We noticed one of them has some scabs and hair loss on his nose. Both of them have already been to the vet, who didn't find anything wrong with them, although I wonder how good the vet was. He is otherwise healthy and happy, maybe a bit itchy and he does look a bit scruffy but that might just be his fur. His cage mate looks completely healthy.

Could it be a skin problem, or could it be normal? Pretty sure it's not bite marks because the boys don't fight each other. Thank you for reading this!

Hi!

It is impossible to tell without a hands-on examination but I would keep an eye on it in case it is a fungal skin infection.

 

[ilovepeegz]

Not sure if anyone will read this but I wanted to update: I took both my boys to the vet and Rupert's problem is probably mites. I got a spray to treat him with and he'll be fine in a few weeks. Also the vet told me that they're about 5 to 6 months old even though the place I got them told me they were about a year, so that was a surprise!

 

[Siikibam]

Did he apply any drops of ivermectin to them? And are they to have more treatment? I’m not sure about a spray.... @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle

 

[ilovepeegz]

Did he apply any drops of ivermectin to them? And are they to have more treatment? I’m not sure about a spray.... @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle

The spray has a different name but Ivermectin is the main ingredient. I applied it myself as soon as we got home. The instructions were to spray 7 times per application so it gets on a large part of his skin, spraying directly on the affected bits was not necessary. I'll be doing that once a week for 4 weeks and if it doesn't work I'll definitely be going back.

 

[Siikibam]

Where did you have to spray it, on the body? Never heard of spray but hopefully it works.