MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Services & Facilities
    • Animal Critical Care
    • Animal Rehabilitation
    • Arthroscopy
    • Behavioural Consultations
    • Computed Tomography (CT)
    • Chemotherapy
    • Clinical Pathology
    • Dentistry
    • Desexing
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Dog Training
    • Endoscopy
    • Euthanasia
    • Microchipping & Registration
    • Nutrition
    • Pharmacy
    • Puppy Preschool
    • Senior Pet Health Checks
    • Spinal Surgery
    • Surgery
    • Pet Ultrasound
    • Vaccinations & Health Checks
  • Referrals
  • Information
    • After Hours Emergency Veterinary Service
    • Fees And Accounts
    • Memories
    • News And Articles
    • Your ultimate guide to pet care insurance
    • Pre & Post Op Handouts
    • Referral Form
    • Prescription or Product Refill Form
    • Useful Links
    • Your New Pet
    • Pet Portal
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Book Online

Brunker Road Veterinary Centre

Quality vet care in Adamstown, Newcastle

02 4957 2269

Make an Appointment

278 Brunker Road, Adamstown NSW 2289
Mon-Fri: 8am-6:30pm, Sat: 8am-4pm
Sun + Pub Hols: Closed
You are here: Home / Articles / Guinea pig skin conditions

Guinea pig skin conditions

How to treat guinea pig skin problems

Many factors can cause skin problems in guinea pigs, including parasites, fungal infections, scurvy, barbering and abscesses. While some problems can be treated easily at home, it’s best to seek veterinary advice if a skin problem persists.

Parasites

Mites are a common cause of itchiness in guinea pigs, especially around the head and neck area. With intense itchiness, the guinea pig can scratch so much that wounds appear on the skin, prompting owners to assume that their guinea pigs have been fighting. Some guinea pigs even start fitting due to the itchiness. Mites may be seen under the microscope after skin scrapings are taken, and treatment may be topical or injected.

Fleas and lice can also affect guinea pigs, and treatment is simple and effective, using sprays or baths.

Fungal infections

Itchiness and patchy hair loss in guinea pigs may be due to fungal infections. As with mites, the itchiness can be intense, leading to self-trauma. Treatment involves medicated shampoos, or in more severe infections, antifungal medication is given.

Functional Cystic Ovaries

This is a common condition in female guinea pigs, leading to swelling of the abdomen, and hair loss along both sides of the body. There is not usually any itchiness. Diagnosis may be made by palpating the enlarged ovaries, by ultrasound, or by elimination of other conditions. Treatment involves removal of the affected ovaries.

Some pregnant sows can develop the same pattern of hair loss in the late stages of pregnancy, but this resolves after the babies are born.

Barbering

Barbering refers to the pulling out of hair by other guinea pigs, or it may be self-inflicted. It can be due to boredom in single guinea pigs, or to behavioural problems in those housed together. Environmental and hierarchy factors are considered in developing the best approach to barbering, and often the addition of good quality hay improves the situation.

Slobbers

Slobbers is a type of moist dermatitis that can form under the chin and neck due to excessive salivation. It is usually due to tooth and mouth problems.

Bumblefoot (Pododermatitis)

Pododermatitis means skin infection of the foot, and is usually manifested as swelling, ulceration, and thickening of the skin. It can be very painful, and sometimes leads to bone infection. Causes include inappropriate floor substrates such as wet or dirty floors, or rough, abrasive, or wire floors. Other factors include obesity and therefore lack of mobility.

Pododermatitis can be difficult to treat as the infection may be well-established. Floors should be lined with soft, dry, clean material such as layers of shredded paper, recycled paper pellets, or straw. This must be changed often to avoid it becoming wet and soiled.

Some guinea pigs tolerate bandaging of the affected foot or feet, but most will not. Weight loss is advised in obese guinea pigs, and antibiotics and analgesics are administered. In some cases, surgery may be advised to remove dead tissue.

Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy. Many commercial guinea pig diets are deficient in Vitamin C so fresh leafy green vegetables are an essential part of the daily diet. Scurvy can be manifested as a rough or unkempt hair coat, and other signs include wobbliness in the hindlegs, haemorrhage, lameness, hair loss, diarrhoea, and joint swelling.

Treatment involves daily administration of vitamin C for up to 2 weeks.

Greasy Seborrhoea

Excessive gland secretions can lead to a smelly, greasy, matted hair coat, sometimes with secondary infections. The condition is seen along the backline especially around the rump, and more commonly in male guinea pigs. Treatment involves medicated baths.

Abscesses

Abscesses may be a result of fighting or other wounds and require surgery to drain the pus, as well as the administration of antibiotics. The presence of abscesses involving the lymph nodes under the neck is called Cervical Lymphadenitis and is usually secondary to infections in the mouth.


By Provet Resident Vet
Contributor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc

Last updated on 16 February 2021

Back to Articles

Contact Us

Phone: 02 4957 2269
Fax: 02 4952 8666
Address: 278 Brunker Road, Adamstown NSW 2289

Our carpark entrance is via Victoria Street. We have a side path leading you from the carpark to our front entrance.

Location & Email Us

Make An Appointment

Opening Hours

Mon - Fri 8.00am - 6.30pm
Saturday 8.00am - 4.00pm
Sun + Pub Hols. Closed

Consultations are by appointment.
Emergency cases take priority.

After Hours Care

Newcastle Animal Emergency Centre (NAEC), at 4 Lang Road, Broadmeadow - (02) 4957 7106

Small Animal Specialist Hospital Tuggerah - (02) 4044 1781

Testimonials

  • 5
    Our little cocker spaniel Tinkerbell who is only 1 yr old was feeling so unwell and was cared for by wonderful Dr Emily and Vet nurse Izzy. They communicated with us constantly, showered our little girl with lots of cuddles and they didn’t care how many times we rang. The beautiful girls at the front desk always made a point of reassuring us every time we spoke and always passed on our messages. We have always taken our pets to Brunker Rd and they are just like a family. They care above and beyond what is expected and they love and support our animates if they were their own. We cannot thank all the staff at Brunker Rd enough for the love and support they gave to our little Tinky. They are beautiful people inside and out. We would never go anywhere else. ❤️
    Google Review November 2024
  • 5
    I have visited this vet on and off over the past 10 years - between relocating and returning - and have always appreciated their care and assistance. They prioritise emergencies (injury/ open wound) where other Veterinary Hospitals have said I need to wait for the next day for an appointment. The staff are friendly and operate in a timely manner and the treatment my animals have received has always been effective.🙏
    Google Review May 2024
  • 5
    Dr. Jonathan is the best with the kindest heart. Definitely the vet to go to.
    Google Review September 2024

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to get the latest news from Brunker Road Veterinary Centre.

Follow Us

Connect with Brunker Road Veterinary Centre on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Make an appointment

Book Online

Call us

02 4957 2269

Find Us

278 Brunker Road
Adamstown NSW 2289

Follow Us

Brunker Road Veterinary Centre

Address 278 Brunker Road
Adamstown, NSW 2289

Contact Us

Phone 02 4957 2269
Fax 02 4952 8666
Email Us
Book Online Pet Portal Leave a Review

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter

Latest News

  • Work with us – Veterinary Associate – Full time (or Part time) employment vacancy
  • New Online Pet Portal
  • Emergencies over the Christmas & NYE holidays 2024

Quick Links

  • Why Choose Us
  • Newcastle Puppy Preschool
  • Vet Referral Form
  • T&C’s

© 2025 Brunker Road Veterinary Centre · Privacy Policy · Online Presence by PetPack