My guinea pigs have a skin problem. What do you think it could be?

Question

They scratch & bite their skin/fur, sometimes until the place starts bleeding. One of them lost all the fur on her back; the fur is starting to grow back now cuz we used some glucosteroid cream. They also have hardened scales? skin? around their eyes. So their eyes arent as bright & round as they used to be. Have your guinea pigs had this problem? Please help. Thanks.

I don't want to spend the money on a vet, especially since their skin isn't THAT bad (certainly not as bad as the ones in the pics from the links you provided). So is it possible to get any of these medications over the counter at the pet store or pharmacy? And how much do they cost?

Also, have any household treatments that've worked for you, or any that you can suggest? E.g. wash them with gasoline or something??

Answer 1

If you can't see anything crawling in the fur, then it could be mites. You can treat that with ivermectin or revolution (available through your vet). Mites tend to cause itchiness, hairloss, scabs & dandruff. They will also be more sensitive to touch.

If the skin is really flakey, then it could be ringworm. (which is transferable to humans!)

Check out these links, & then take your guinea pigs to an exotic vet for a proper diagnosis.

Answer 2

Ignore the persons who say vets will diagnose the obstacle flawed and positioned it to sleep. Take it to a well vet who treats small animals. Mites are very terrible for the guinea pigs. The vet will provide you whatever to style the obstacle.

Answer 3

I think it would be best if you asked for the advice of avet over the phone especially if you cannot afford a vet.

Answer 4

that can be somthing as simple as mite/fleas/or lice.
or it can be somthing life threating, hair loss is a sign of of serious problems.
call the vet or take them to one now,NOW!
good luck!
<3 brittany

Answer 5

I have been waiting to answer one of you ?s you seem very smart i am sorry that it had to be a ? like this read through the whole answer there are a few home remedies for you to read through

It could be a number of things but Lice and mites are the most common external parasites of guinea pigs. Lice are tiny, wingless, flattened insects that live within the haircoat Both the adults and their eggs are found attached to individual hairs.
Guinea pigs may be parasitized by 2 types of biting lice. Both abrade the skin surface and feed off of body fluids that exude through the very superficial wounds they create.

Light infestations usually go unnoticed. Heavy infestations are usually accompanied with excessive Itching, scratching and some hair loss. Scabs may also be evident on and around the ears.
A veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis by direct examination of the haircoat. Direct examination is usually all that is necessary, though use of a microscope is very helpful. The veterinarian will usually prescribe an insecticidal shampoo to treat affected guinea pigs.

Lice can be transmitted by direct and intimate contact between infested and uninfested guinea pig Therefore, pet guinea pigs are very unlikely to harbor these parasites unless they are recent acquisitions that were previously in contact with louse-infested guinea pigs. Established pet guinea pigs could also be infested by being placed in close contact with new, infested guinea pigs. Guinea pig lice do not parasitize people.

Mite Infestations (Mange)
A mite similar to the scabies mite of people causes serious infestations in pet guinea pig. Mites are microscopic, spider-like organisms that live within the outer layers of the skin. They usually cause intense scratching and significant hair loss. Some cases without scratching have been reported. Some guinea pigs are so miserable because of the infestation that their constant scratching produces serious wounds. They may run wildly or in circles, and occasionally even have convulsions.
A veterinarian must do a number of scrapings of the skin to confirm the diagnosis. Successful treatment consists of 1-4 injections of a specific drug (ivermectin) 10-44 days apart. Any wood shavings within the enclosure should be replaced by white paper toweling during treatment to help make the patient more comfortable

HOWEVER
THE HOMEMADE ANTI-MITE RECIPE FOR HAMSTERS!

1 pint of room temperature water
1 Tablespoon of Witchhazel
1 Tablespoon of Listerine (not flavored)

TREATMENT PROCEDURE:
Apply the solution to the mite infected hamster externally with a washcloth or put the solution in a spray bottle and lightly spray the hamster while being careful to protect the eyes, nose and mouth. After you treat the hamster it is important to clean your hamster's cage and accessories thoroughly, change the bedding and spray the solution lightly in the cage and on the hamster's toys and accessories.
Witchhazel can often be found in grocery stores but is more commonly found at your local drug store.

Please note: This is not to be taken internally, it is a topical (on the skin) treatment.
UPDATE: According to Ken, the hamster guru, this recipe has been proven effective to treat mite infestations through a number of user testimonials. So rest easy young hamsterite, I think your hamster is gonna pull through!

sterilze all the hamsters equitment with wash all equitment lemon dawn antibacteiral dishwashing liquid then 5 to 10 % bleach water you can also use a microwave if you really need to all bedding sohuld be removed replaced with torn paper or paper towles

you should clean all around the cage and lysol can be used in the absecnce of the pets in the air and around the cage
salt water 2 tablespoons to 1 pint of water to wash wounds

hydrogen perxide can be used as well

note that Hair loss or thinning of the hair is a common problem of female guinea pigs that have been repeatedly bred. These sows tend to lose hair with each successive pregnancy.
Hair loss is frequently noted among juvenile guinea pigs ma weakened state at or around the time of weaning. "Barbering" also results in hair loss. This vice (bad habit) occurs when guinea pigs habitually chew on the haircoats of guinea pigs that are lower in the social "pecking order." Younger guinea pigs in particular, can lose substantial amounts of hair as a result of this activity. Hair can also be lost because of fungal disease and external parasite infestations

lice can be usually killed off by suffication use vasoline or mayonaise or anything with a thick consistiancy comb through there fur to get rid of eggs


Guinea pigs cannot manufacture vitamin C and must receive an adequate supply of it from outside food sources. Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, which is characterized by inappetence, swollen, painful joints and ribs, reluctance to move, poor bone and teeth development, and spontaneous bleeding from the gums and into muscle.
Adequate levels of vitamin C are always included in the formulation of pelleted diets for guinea pigs. Often, however, handling and improper storage (exposure to light, heat and dampness) of the feed pellets results in loss of vitamin C. Therefore, even guinea pigs fed presumably reliable pelleted diets may develop scurvy if the diet's vitamin C content has been reduced or lost.
A veterinarian should be consulted if this disease is suspected so that the diagnosis can be confirmed. The veterinarian will prescribe a program of vitamin C supplementation (via food or water or injection) to reverse the signs.

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Answer 6

mites? maybe. have you checked out the website guinealynx.com
they have a lot of good info.

Answer 7

the animal could have lice...but dont worry ..louse are species specific...but dont just sit around wondering what could be the problem...take them to the vet!

Answer 8

they need a daily dose of vitamin c otherwise they get skin trouble ,give them daily greens and bits of broccoli