What Kinds of Skin Problems Do Guinea Pigs Have?
Skin issues in guinea pigs often appear as patches of hair loss and have several causes: mites, lice, ringworm (a fungal infection), barbering (chewing their own or others' hair), or injuries from fighting. Inflammation of the bottom of the feet (called pododermatitis or bumblefoot) is also common.
Mite infestations can cause hair loss and itching, and severity varies by mite type. Some mites burrow and cause intense itching, hair loss, and inflammation—often in inner thighs, shoulders, and neck. Some pets may develop a bacterial infection in the same area, while other animals can lose weight or act frantic from itching. Severe mite infestation can cause seizures and death.
Mites spread through contact with infected guinea pigs or contaminated bedding. Veterinarians diagnose mites by examining skin scrapings under a microscope, and they treat affected guinea pigs with injections or topical medications (applied to the skin). Good sanitation and low stress help prevent infestations.
Lice in guinea pigs can cause itching, hair loss, and inflamed skin around the neck and ears in severe cases. Lice can be seen on hair with a magnifying glass. Treatment is usually topical. Keep cages clean to prevent infection with lice.
Ringworm is a fungal infection common in young guinea pigs and is contagious to humans and other animals. It causes bald, scaly patches—often on the face, around the eyes, and in the ears—that may be flaky, crusty, or red and that can spread to other areas of skin. Bacterial infection can complicate ringworm infection.
Veterinarians can diagnose ringworm through identifying the fungus, testing hair samples, or examining skin under ultraviolet light in some cases. In healthy animals, ringworm infection can resolve as the pet’s immune system develops, but treatment (oral medication or shampoos/wipes) speeds healing and decreases spread. Disinfect the area during treatment to prevent reinfection of the animal or spread to other animals and people. If you must handle an infected guinea pig, wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward.
Barbering is hair-chewing, typically among caged guinea pigs. Guinea pigs housed alone may chew on themselves out of boredom, while guinea pigs housed with others may chew on each other because of social competition. Hair loss from barbering can look patchy, and skin may show bite marks. Prevent barbering by separating aggressive animals, decreasing stress, and providing long-stem hay to chew on.
Pododermatitis (bumblefoot) is inflammation and infection of the footpads on the bottom of the feet. Causes include cuts, wire flooring, poor sanitation, and obesity. Over time, infection can lead to swollen lymph nodes, tendon inflammation, arthritis, and the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
Veterinarians diagnose pododermatitis through physical examination, x-rays, and lab tests. Treatment includes moving the guinea pig to smooth flooring with soft bedding, better sanitation, topical and oral medications, foot soaks, bandaging, and sometimes antibiotics and pain relief. Severe cases may not respond to treatment and may require surgery or even foot amputation
