Biting Please help. I think my guinea pig might be hurt or I've done something wrong...

[Crystal Lee]

For a while now there's been a spot on the back of my guinea pig where if you scratch him there, he starts gnawing, chewing furiously. I don't know if this is because guinea's have sensitive backs or what.
And also...this morning i coaxed my guinea out of his igloo with a hay cube and picked him up. The moment I put him against my chest he started doing the same wierd gnawing thing. He left a very painful bruise.
I'm worried I've done something wrong to upset him or there's something wrong with his back.:sad:
Has anybody else had this problem with their guineas? and knows what I should do?
Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[theresaj]

Could be mites, or that he just doesn't like to be pet that way. Is he scratching a lot or losing lots of hair in a specific place?

 

[akstrohm]

I would treat him with Ivermectin for mites: https://www.guinealynx.info/ivermectin.html

 

[Deenanicole08]

Does he sound like he's in pain?

 

[Crystal Lee]

No. Not as far as I can tell.

 

[pennykit&amanda]

All of my cavies do the same chewing thing when they're scratched on their backs, and they are perfectly healthy, with no mites. I don't scratch them like that anymore, because when I did, they would kick at me, and obviously hated it.

 

[4piggers]

I agree, have you checked for mites? Do they have what looks like dry skin?

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

How do you know they do not have mites?

Have you already treated them with ivermectin properly?

It sounds like he does have them.

 

[Crystal Lee]

How do you know they do not have mites?

Have you already treated them with ivermectin properly?

It sounds like he does have them.

Where can I get ivermectin?

 

[Crystal Lee]

I'm thinking it isn't mites because I'd think he'd be doing that if I scratched him anywhere, not just that one spot...I'm not sure...

 

[theresaj]

Maybe he just doesn't like to be touched on that spot. I don't think a treatment for mites would hurt though.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Mites usually start in the middle of the back. You can get ivermec at most feed stores or online.

 

[Crystal Lee]

Mites usually start in the middle of the back. You can get ivermec at most feed stores or online.

Would I be able to get it at a Petsmart or some other pet store?

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

No, petsmart will just sell you toxic bird mite spray or flea powder. You can't get ivermec at ordinary pet stores.

 

[Crystal Lee]

No, petsmart will just sell you toxic bird mite spray or flea powder. You can't get ivermec at ordinary pet stores.

Ok. Was just wondering...

 

[Crystal Lee]

Thanks everyone for the tips, I've decided I'll try treating him for mites and see if it helps.

 

[Wheek Weak]

You can get ivermectin Iver-On pour-on (5mg) at TSC, Valley Vet Supply (online), or any farm/feed store.

Here is a link for use: https://www.guinealynx.info/topical_ivermectin.html

You don't need to use a needle. You just rub a drop or two behind the ear according to the chart (which goes by weight).

Most pet store pigs have mites and need to be treated. You can't see them with the naked eye. Even if your pig doesn't have mites - the ivermectin doesn't hurt them if you treat them anyway.

That being said...most pigs don't like being rubbed in certain ways. If you rub their hair backwards or touch them in certain spots they get grumpy.

Also, most cavies don't like being picked up. They don't like being up in the air..and I don't blame them!