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Sick Guinea pig


Sent to Pet Experts June 30, 2006 1:34 p.m.
Hi. I have had pigs several times in my life but not recently. My sister has had 2 for about 3-4 years. One is nasty to the other and constantly bites and torments the other. He is a bully. The other one seems to be ill often with mites, etc. She always takes him to the vet for meds. Recently I was down there and I saw the one and he is completely bald from the neck down.....with one little red spot on his back that I saw. I was absolutely stunned when I saw him. She said "yea, I think he has mites again maybe.... I gave him the rest of his leftover meds and he's no different."   She said she bathed him in their dogs flea and tick shampoo ( before he went bald I believe) and "maybe that did it". I was SO fuming mad I almost choked her right then and there!! I am an animal lover and I was ready to vomit. I picked him up and he yelled...I know he isn't good. I told her to get him to a vet ASAP...and she called right away. She was going the next day at 9 am. I called the next day and heard nothing.. she wasn't there or didn't answer. Several days later she said she went to the vet and they were SO backed up, she didn't have time to wait. I made her separate the two pigs when I was there and told her to NEVER put them back together. Oh, he also had a very puffed up front foot when I saw him last. She told me when I finally got her that he is "much better now", eating good and moving around....??? Okay, so what about his bald body? His puffy foot? I do not want a guinea pig in my life right now... but he is so sweet..and I know she doesn't give them proper care... cage always wet, etc. I will see him again tomorrow at noon and I wanna see his foot and his body... if he is no better (how could he be?) I am going to take possession of him. I am really not up for a pig right now as I have a dog who is a handful, but I am an old softy and I believe I could love him healthy....and get him some help. When I held him I just felt like crying.. his skin reminded me of sandpaper.. or a piece of fried chicken.. he wasn't so soft. Now, this is a holiday weekend.. and odds are there is going to be no vet til wednesday.... so ... in the mean time , what can I do to help this piggy? I think he should have a luke warm bath in plain water to get any pee-pee off him....to start with... a dry bed.. and is there anything I could apply to his bald body? Anything that might soothe?? A light coat of Neosporin?? Anything that might give him some relief??
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $8   
Info Request
June 30, 2006 2:55 p.m. (1 hour and 20 minutes later) 		REPLIED to Info Request Check Mark
Hi there! I already have a good idea of what's going on, but I'd prefer a little bit more information.

What type of bedding is the guinea pig on? Is it cedar (reddish wood bedding) or pine (wood colored bedding)? Or neither?

What type of guinea pig food is she feeding him? Is it guinea pig food or rabbit food?

Does his cage have a wire bottom floor on it?

__________________
I am NOT, nor do I claim to be, a Veterinarian.
Always check with your vet for any symptoms your pet exhibits.

Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful.
PictureDanielle  -- Animal Care Expert -- 98% Positive Feedback on 246 Pet Accepts
10+ years experience with rodents and rabbits, 7+ years experience with freshwater fish and reptiles
Reply to Danielle
Sent July 02, 2006 9:27 p.m. (2 days and 6 hours later)
This pig has pine bedding, guinea pig food and a usually dirty cage with no wire bottom.. just the chips. I think it has mange mites....not sure. I tried to talk her into giving the pig to me... and she said no. I asked her son, as it is his and he said no also....
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 02, 2006 10:00 p.m. (33 minutes and 41 seconds later)
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PictureDanielle  -- Animal Care Expert -- 98% Positive Feedback on 246 Pet Accepts
10+ years experience with rodents and rabbits, 7+ years experience with freshwater fish and reptiles

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