What is On My Guinea Pigs Leg?

[ella smykal]

why does my guinea pigs leg look like this? This is the picture

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please could you add the picture directly to this forum by pressing ‘attach files’ under the message box rather than us having to press a link taking us to a third party site

 

[Zorro1]

I'm not positive, but it looks like he could have mites. If he does have mites (which I'm not sure he even has) I've heard that Shampoo with Ivermectin in it is used as a treatment. Washing everything in his cage (hides, bedding, hay racks, etc.) prevents him from contracting it again. Possible places where he might have contracted mites is from infected hay products, bedding from other guineas with mites, or outside areas. But I don't recommend trying to treat him of mites before actually confirming what is wrong with his leg. This is what a guinea pig with a case of mites looks like...

Like I said, I'm not entirely sure weather your guinea has mites so no need to worry.

 

[Grand Guinea Pigs]

@Piggies&buns this is @ella smykal's photo.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks. I’m not prepared to click on a third party links for security but also time - we have lot of H&I posts so having the picture immediately visible helps us a lot.

Please have your piggy seen by a vet for a diagnosis and treatment. This may be an area of fungal infection, parasite and/or piggy may be chewing the area due to discomfort.

 

[Wiebke]

@Piggies&buns this is @ella smykal's photo.

Hi

Please see a vet for a proper hands-on diagnosis and vet grade treatment to get on top of the problem. Cheap pet shop stuff is too low dosed and basically a waste of money that also means that you'll miss the time window within which you are within your customer rights of reclaiming any vet fees for having been basically damaged ware because transmission has happened back at the pet shop. It can take around 2 weeks between infection/infestation and the acute outbreak. Also be aware that fungal ringworm and skin parasites require different treatment so you can easily to more damage than good by treating on spec.

As there is a good likelyhood that this could be ringworm, please follow our hygiene tips. It is the nost contasgious species jumping problem you will come across and can also affect humans. The invisibly tiny spores are shed in their thousands and can stay live for around 2 years. The appropriate treatment and and hygiene on all levels will enable you to get on top of it quickly instead of turning it into a long running saga with repeated outbreaks and catching it from your piggies.
Whether you are dealing with skin parasites or ringworm, you will always have to treat the companion as well and deep clean all premises as well as washing any fabrics in contact (including your clothes) at a higher temperature.

Is this an only baby or does it have company?

Here is more detailed information on your customer rights (including how to avoid falling foul on some bad shop practices and tricks) and common guinea pig problems:
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
Ringworm: Hygiene, Care And Pictures

Companionship
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

 

[ella smykal]

Hi, she has another guinea pig with her and the other one is showing no signs of having the same problem. Is there any chance it is just dry skin that got infected?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi, she has another guinea pig with her and the other one is showing no signs of having the same problem. Is there any chance it is just dry skin that got infected?

To be honest it looks fungal to me so a vet diagnosis, treatment and strict hygiene is needed

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, she has another guinea pig with her and the other one is showing no signs of having the same problem. Is there any chance it is just dry skin that got infected?

Hi

Sadly not. 'Dry skin' is simply an excuse for not treating properly or explaining away a skin problem to unsuspecting customers - it is especially common in sub-standard for-sale breeders. Any bare patch that is not symmetric on the other side of the body is suspect and should be seen by a vet.
Here is more information on your recourse if you have bought online or from a breeder:
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Please see a vet. Untreated mange mites can kill and untreated/undertreated ringworm can become a major headache. The companion will come down with it as well as he is likely also already infected. The sooner you can step in with correct good quality treatment, the less of a battle you'll have on your hands. It is really worth the extra money rather than risking a long battle and then having to finally see a vet with an advanced case; not to mention the unnecessary suffering of your piggies.

You are more likely dealing with ringworm but please accept that we cannot replace a vet and diagnose just from a picture. What we can do is tell you when you need to see a vet and help you during vet treatment and recovery with practical advice and moral support. If you have children, please be aware that they can get ringworm more severely than adults and may need to see a gp for an antibiotic.

PLEASE read our links and follow the advice in the ringworm guide re, disinfection and hygiene measures. We have had 15 years and countless cases of ringworm to work out which treatments are effective and which not, and also find all the possible ways of how it can be transmitted and how to counter them appropriately.
When done properly, your treatment in combination with our very precise hygiene measure will mean that you are rid of it in ca. 2 weeks once and for all; especially if you can break the cycle to prevent the companion and yourself from coming down with it by stepping in before it becomes acute. Any visible patch has unfortunately run its due course and will get worse before it is getting better. The last chapter of the ringworm guide will show you in pictures how an outbreak typically runs.

For more practical new owners care tips and helpful information, we have a little collection that can be accessed via this link here to help you avoid the usual pitfalls as much as possible and help you to a good start for the long term: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners