Super stressed about my new guinea pig babies skin problems :(

[h.h.lovecraft]

I just got two six week old guinea pig sisters four days ago. I could tell as soon as I got one of them that their ears were crusty and dry so I called the vet that day and made an appointment, which is in three days. Since then, her ear is getting even more scaly (inside and outside of the ear) and she also always had a sort of bald spot on top her head which I can't tell if it's just the way her hair grows or another skin issue. I've noticed the other guinea pig has a hairless spot under her eye (pictures below) and has a hard white scab under her chin. I think all of these issues were present since I got them too and just didn't notice. I am already very attached to them and I am so worried about them, especially since they are just babies still. I weighed them today and one is 268 grams while the other is 216 grams. One always looked extra small to me which is ok, but I am worried now since she clearly has something going on. I feel like they have more than one illness going on and since they've shared a cage all their lives they probably have already given each other whatever they have. They currently seem very happy and eat and drink fine, although I can see some scratching. I am just so stressed that they aren't going to be ok and was hoping someone could give me some piece of mind. Thanks guys!

 

[Piggies&buns]

They are gorgeous.
Yes they do appear to have a skin condition going on so it’s good you’ve got a vet appointment.
I would exercise strict hygiene in the meantime as it looks like it could potentially be a fungal infection such as ringworm.
Ringworm is highly contagious to people and other animals, so do read the guide below as it explains how to minimise the risk of spread and explains how to deep clean etc. Ensure you wash your hands and change and wash your clothes after handling them etc

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Wiebke]

I just got two six week old guinea pig sisters four days ago. I could tell as soon as I got one of them that their ears were crusty and dry so I called the vet that day and made an appointment, which is in three days. Since then, her ear is getting even more scaly (inside and outside of the ear) and she also always had a sort of bald spot on top her head which I can't tell if it's just the way her hair grows or another skin issue. I've noticed the other guinea pig has a hairless spot under her eye (pictures below) and has a hard white scab under her chin. I think all of these issues were present since I got them too and just didn't notice. I am already very attached to them and I am so worried about them, especially since they are just babies still. I weighed them today and one is 268 grams while the other is 216 grams. One always looked extra small to me which is ok, but I am worried now since she clearly has something going on. I feel like they have more than one illness going on and since they've shared a cage all their lives they probably have already given each other whatever they have. They currently seem very happy and eat and drink fine, although I can see some scratching. I am just so stressed that they aren't going to be ok and was hoping someone could give me some piece of mind. Thanks guys!

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Hi!

Please have your piggies vet checked for ringworm. You can reclaim any vet and treatment cost from the pet shop or breeder as part of your customer rights for having been sold damaged ware because exposure and infection must have happened at their place. It takes 10-14 days between infection and acute outbreak.

Please be aware that ringworm is extremely contagious and the single most species jumping (including humans) health issue you can come across; its invisibly tiny spores can stay live for around two years. Ringworm is not a killing disease but it can very quickly turn into a long running saga if you try to cut corners.PLEASE take the time to read and follow our very detailed ringworm hygiene guide. In 15 years of existence, we have had the time to find all the various transmission angles the hard way, have tried out all possible ways of treating and have worked out the way that really does work to get on top of it once and for all. When done correctly, you should get through the worst in 1-2 weeks.
Your best friend is a vet grade disinfectant called F10, which is proven to also be effective against ringworm spores; it is widely available online. Most commercial disinfectants are antibacterial but not antifungal.

Here are the relevant links. You may want to bookmark the ringworm guide, which is looking at all aspects of ringworm treatment and hygiene as well as having plenty of pictures of how an acute outbreak is running its due course so you can look it up again whenever needed over the coming weeks. :
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

I am very sorry that you are yet another victim of commercial breeding. Please don't panic; you will get there! Wishing you all the best.