Guinea pig parasites: spot the signs, leave treatment to your vet

According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, patchy hair loss is a common sign of skin trouble in guinea pigs. There are several possible causes, which only your vet can tell apart:

Mange (mites)

Itching that can be very intense, hair loss and inflammation, often on the inner thighs, shoulders and neck. Severe mange can cause weight loss and, according to the MSD manual, seizures or even death.

Lice

Itching, hair loss and irritated skin around the neck and ears; lice can be seen on the hairs with a magnifying glass.

Ringworm (a fungus)

Dry, scaly bald patches, often on the face, around the eyes and on the ears. Common in young guinea pigs.

Ear mites

The guinea pig scratches or rubs its ears, or shakes its head, according to the RSPCA.

Fur chewing

A bored guinea pig or a dominant companion may pull out fur: hair loss isn’t always caused by a parasite.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus that can spread to people and other animals, according to the MSD manual. Your vet confirms it by examining the hairs, then prescribes suitable treatment.

• Wear disposable gloves to handle an affected guinea pig, and wash your hands afterwards.
• Disinfect their enclosure throughout the treatment, as your vet directs.

Mange, lice and ringworm look alike, and other conditions cause the same signs. Your vet will take a skin scraping or examine the hairs, then choose the treatment, applied to the skin or given by injection.

• Mites spread through contact with an affected companion or through bedding, according to the MSD manual: your vet decides whether the whole group needs treating.
• The PDSA recommends taking your guinea pigs to the vet together, even if only one shows signs, unless advised otherwise.
• A newcomer should be checked before joining the group; if they have a skin problem, keep them separate but within sight of the others until treatment is finished, according to the PDSA.

• A clean enclosure: spot-clean every day, a full clean every week, and hay and bedding free of dust and mould.
• As little stress as possible: a stressed or ill guinea pig is more vulnerable to parasites, according to the Royal Veterinary College.
• A daily look at their coat, and regular grooming, more often for long-haired guinea pigs.
• In warm weather, check their bottom twice a day: flies can lay eggs there (flystrike), an emergency that is often fatal according to the RSPCA.

Note your vet’s diagnosis, the treatment and its dates in MyArk: everyone in the household knows where things stand, and the history is there if the signs come back.

• Past and current treatments, for each guinea pig
• Upcoming dates, sent to everyone in the household
• A dated note when you spot a bald patch or itching
• The weight chart, to see if they’re losing weight