Guinea Pig Skin Disease
Guinea pigs are neither pigs nor from New Guinea. Native to South America, guinea pigs can reach 2 lbs. in weight and can live between 5 and 7 years. Guinea pigs, like other rodents, can have problems with skin disease. These are usually caused by fungal infections but can sometimes be the result of mites or parasites. Identifying that your guinea pig has a skin condition is the first step to treating the problem.
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Identification
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Identifying that your guinea pig has a skin disease starts with recognizing a thinning of your pet's fur. In some cases, you may see a thinning of its fur combined with some individual hairs that break off about halfway down or with a short stub that extends from the skin. In some cases, you may not see hair damage but you may see small lice crawling through your pet's fur. In extreme cases of skin disease, you may see goose bump-like spots or lesions on the skin.
Effects
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Whether caused by parasites or infections, guinea pig skin diseases can cause itching. As your pet scratches the itches, it may break the skin and cause lesions that may become painful. As these lesions heal, they may begin to itch, contributing to more scratching and more lesions. Treating the skin condition is important for the health and comfort of your guinea pig.
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Mites and Parasites
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A common cause of skin disease in guinea pigs is lice. In some cases, you will see the lice or flaky dandruff before your pet begins to lose fur. Mange is a skin condition where the fur falls out and the skin becomes dry and scaly. Mange is caused by a mite. If you suspect mites, it is important that you get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
Fungal Infections
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Fungal infections can look like mites or other parasites, but usually are accompanied by a greasy look to your guinea pig's fur. Fungal infections can lead to symptoms similar to mites and parasites. In some cases, the fur of a guinea pig with a fungal infection will come out in clumps with the hair still attached to a layer of skin.
Treatment
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Bathing your guinea pig every few months is a good way to prevent skin problems. However, if you see lice, you can try treating your guinea pig with neem oil. If your guinea pig is losing hair and you cannot see the source of the problem to identify them as lice, take your guinea pig to a vet who specializes in small rodents. In some cases, the vet may prescribe or recommend a treatment that is massaged into the fur, but in other cases, your guinea pig may need oral medication or an injection.
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References
- Photo Credit guinea-pig image by Ekaterina Maasing from Fotolia.com
