Guinea pigs bald patches....help please!

[lulurose]

We have 3 girl gp's, rescued from the RSPCA. They are a year old. Just seen one of the healthier looking ones trying to mount the smaller white one, the white one has pinkish bald patches down the side so I guess the mounting is the reason......what can I do? Is it normal? I feel very sorry for this little one who squeaks terribly when the other one does it. Also, anyone know of anywhere in North london who would look after them in the school hols for a fortnight? The two local catteries are fully booked. Aghhhhh!

Are you sure they've been sexed properly? females may mount as dominance thing, but it is also easy to mis-diagnose the sex of young GPs.

Bald patches are more likely to be due to mites than anything else. You might be best going to a vet to express your concerns and get the GPs' sex confirmed, and get an exam for possible mites. Vet would also have leads on GP babysitters/kennels.

I agree about taking them to a vet. Mites can kill them. I also use Gorgeous Guineas products on mine to keep their skin in tip top condition www.gorgeousguineas.com/indentification.html

Here is a link for gp boarding at a gp rescue where the proceeds go to the charity.

www.aprillodge.co.uk/boarding.htm

The bald patches could also be ringworm - ours had this, and DD at the same time - not sure who caught it from who. We cleared it up (one the guineas & DD!)using Athlete's Foot cream containing clotrimazole.

But agree you should get them checked out at the vet, mites are serious but the vet will be able to prescribe medication that really helps.

If they are unusually fractious with each other that might also be an indication of mites.

you can buy mite drops over the internet as well. just google ivermectin and buy the one for guinea pigs/rabbits if they are over a kg or if very small you can get the one for pigeons. no harm using it anyway. once a week for three weeks, treat them all though
gorgeous guineas do lovely melts and shampoos as well that help with skin problems