Skin Problems Bald spot found on my guinea pig's right side.

[TwitchingFool0]

On her right side she has a bald spot that's just pink but now has a very small scab from scratching. She has another small area above her shoulder that's bare. The skin is pink with no signs of fungus or discoloring. She's fully alert, eating, running around and popcorning. Her partner has none of these things but I'm watching her closely. I want to get some second opinions as I went to another guinea pig forum and they said just go to the vet. I've looked around and we really don't have any vets that see guinea pigs so I'd have to take a very long drive for them. I made the mistake of going to a pet store (petco) but they actually work with rescues and do event with their pigs at times. I've seen ivermectin brought up a lot but I'm afraid of messing up and making things worse. I don't want to get rid of them but I'm thinking they might just need to be rescued from me. I've only had them for a week but I've already fallen in love with them and they're a treat to watch. Scared about losing another pig. My first one died earlier this year and I don't wanna lose any more. Any thoughts and tips would be appreciated.

 

[spy9doc]

I've seen ivermectin brought up a lot but I'm afraid of messing up and making things worse. I don't want to get rid of them but I'm thinking they might just need to be rescued from me. I've only had them for a week but I've already fallen in love with them and they're a treat to watch.

O.K.......take a deep breath and calm down. You can handle this and your cavies are not in any immediate danger. You have come to the right place by posting on this Forum as there are several very knowledgeable members who can offer great advice. There are other forums that are decent, but the advice is all over the place and often not accurate. I have kept cavies on-and-off for 30 years and still learn more about them as we go along in this journey. Most of my knowledge has come from personal experience, doing a lot of research, this forum, a few select online sites, various veterinarians, and yes, even breeders. This Forum frowns on discussions about breeding, but I have learned so much about cavy care from top-notch breeders who show their animals and have the best interest in having healthy animals.

One of the best sites for health and care is www.guinealynx.com as there is a wealth of information there. I have been known to take information from their site and show it to my very well educated Vet who is a specialist in exotics and in particular, the health of cavies. I had a piggy with a fairly rare condition insofar as cavies are concerned, and he (and I) both learned some things that neither of us was terribly knowledgeable about.

This Forum moves quite rapidly and our esteemed moderator, @bpatters, will probably come along with her considerable knowledge and get you started on treatment. I'm a healthcare provider (human) and there are some things best left to those who have more knowledge than I.

Take a deep breath, relax, and do your research. Both you and your girl are going to survive!