flaky skin?!?

[lovepeanut]

Hi,

I just recently adopted a guinea pig. He is a male and 1year and 3 months old.
He seems to be a rex. His hair is a little rough and I have heard that for a rex they tend to be more rough than a short hair guinea pig( I have a 7 month old short hair guinea pig).
But the strangest is that his skin is flaky and dry! The adoption center did a vet exam, and said that they did not see any mites, but even if i push his hair slightly to the other side he wheeks in pain(or maybe just discomfort), and its only towards his mid area to back section. Oh and IMP he does NOT bite himself or scratch himself too much. And I only moved his hair to check his skin, and I stopped as soon as he reacted in that manner.

The lady at the adoption center mentioned that it is due to malnutrition. But I have also read that mites have the same symptoms.


PLEASE ADVISE!!
i really would appreciate anything
thank youuuu
:D

[AnimalHouse36]

IO beleive certain types of guinea pigs are more prone to skin irratations. Teddy's being one of them. Is her hair curly?

[lovepeanut]

He is a rex. His hair is coarse. I am not sure what curly is for a guinea pig, but it is thick and dense hair.

thanks

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Teddies are prone to dry skin but also fungus. I'd treat for mites as a precaution due to his background.

[lovepeanut]

Okay, thank you for your suggestions and info.
I gave him a bath and it seemed to have helped him a lot, and also I have an appointment with the vet next week. So, I will get him checked.

Thanks!!

[RainKindle]

I've read not to bathe a guinea if it has mites.
(I'm having a hard time finding where I read it.)

[lovepeanut]

I hope that the bath didn't make the conditions worse. He is still doing okay.
Thank you for letting me know about not giving them a bath when they have(might have) mites.
I will remember that.