Scabbed ear..

[stephandcorey]

Bought Tapper from petsmart 7/2/12 and today I notice that his left ear is scabbed over and looks a little more jagged than the other. So maybe the boar he was in with nibbled on it? :( Anyways There no vet in town to see him and I dont know where the closest one is, yet-im doing research, but I called a vet here in town and they said it will heal. He shakes his head too. The pet store said neosporin and a band-aide.. ha yeah right he'd eat it! So what to do?!

[bpatters]

If it's scabbed over, and isn't swollen or has any pus underneath it, it's healing ok -- just leave it alone.

[stephandcorey]

Its not really swollen but he keeps scratching in and shaking his head, thats ok?

[bpatters]

Scratching is more likely a sign of mites, which he may well have since he came from a pet store. The head shaking could be because his ear is itching, or because he has an ear infection.

Is he scratching anywhere except his ear?

If you'll post where you are (the name of the town you're in or close to, not your street address), we'll try to help you find a vet.

[stephandcorey]

Im in Texarkana, TX its a twin city so Texarkana, AR is good too.. He just scratches his ear

[stephandcorey]

This is Tappers ear. The cab got bigger. I didn't work at all last week so unless someone wants yo pay for bet I cant for a while :(

[PigPandemonium]

He looks like he needs to be taken to the vet. Though it might be fungus which you can read about here: http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html Part of getting a pet is dealing with vet bills and care no matter what. I understand money sometimes gets very tight, but when it comes to an animals life, they have to be taken to the vet, even if that means falling behind on a few bills, or getting the internet shut off for a while.

[bpatters]

When you say the "cab" got bigger, did you mean "scab?" Most fungal infections don't usually have scabs unless there's an overlying bacterial infection. You could try the fungus treatment, but I'd only put it on a small portion of the edge and see if it makes it worse before commitment myself to treating the whole lesion with it. If it doesn't improve with the fungus treatment, then you really need to get the pig to a vet.

[PigPandemonium]

Also looking back up at the picture again, there seems to be some blood. I'd just take him to the vet, since it looks like this has gone on long enough without treatment.

[stephandcorey]

The blood had just showed up that day. But Im going to take him monday

[foggycreekcavy]

Did you mean scab, or did you mean the scaly portion?

Please keep posts about this problem on this thread. I merged your two together.

[stephandcorey]

I meant scab. But scaly looks like a good word too

[foggycreekcavy]

Well, they are two different things. Fungus often causes a scaly area, where there can be some flaking.

A scab is dried blood that forms over an injury to protect it while it is healing.

So you see, the treatment kind of depends on what your guinea pig has. Scaly area usually means fungus, and a fungal cream should work. Scabs usually mean injury, and you should not use fungal cream on an open wound.

[stephandcorey]

Well part is kind of scaly and the blood is the only part that looks like a scab now. There is no small animal vet in my town closest is 3 hours.

[stephandcorey]

I called the pet store where I got him. They told me the vet they use. So ill call as soon as they open Tomorrow and get him in asap.

[bpatters]

I certainly wouldn't be taking the recommendation of a pet store for a vet. If you'll post the name of the city/town you're closest to, we'll try to help you find a vet.

[stephandcorey]

Texarkana, Tx or Texarkana,AR but I cant drive more than 30 miles/

[bpatters]

Dr. Pfluger, at Oubre Animal Clinic, sees exotic pets.

[stephandcorey]

Calling vet tomorrow. If not able to get in there, ill call every vet in town til i find one who sees piggies and can see poor Tapper tomorrow. I told him he was going to the vet tomorrow. He just shook his head like no mom i dont wanna lol :/ I feel so bad for him!

[stephandcorey]

Appointment at 4 o'clock today!