My guinea pig's ears are cut from biting. Do they need ointment?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like bite marks. If it has already scabbed over then it is likely going to heal on its own. They may be too different from an age standpoint and it may be best to keep them separate to avoid a similar situation in the future. Good luck!

I am sorry to hear about your guinea pig! I would recommend having him examined by a veterinarian. If some of his skin is torn or hanging, it could be painful and a source of infection. I would also want to examine inside his ear and the skin around his ear to see if tehre is a reason why he might have been itching at the ear. I would also recommend check the cage/bowls/etc. for areas that could be sharp/could cause injury.

thanks for reaching out about Ms. Piggy. Do not place topical antibiotics such as neosporin on it as this can be toxic if ingested. Flour or baking soda can be used topically to help form a clot. Materials such as Quik Stop, used for bleeding toe nails is also caustic and will hurt/burn. If there is a mass there, a veterinary visit is needed as cysts or tumors are not uncommon on the ears. Good luck.

I am so sorry for the delay in answering your question. Mites are very common in guinea pigs and may be the cause. Take her to your vet so they can determine if this is indeed the problem, and can advise you on how best to treat it. In the meantime, change the bedding daily and monitor her food and water intake--if she is lethargic, or is not eating or drinking, take her to the vet right away. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, and again I apologize for the delay!

Thank you for the picture, it is very helpful. I am so sorry that this is happening to Fidget - that looks painful! This should not have happened with a bath alone, and it is possible that something was happening underneath the skin, and then it just became more clear or the skin sloughed when you gave him a bath. The area looks a bit red and painful, and due to this I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian. They can prescribe a pain medication for him, and may recommend antibiotics as well. Please don’t give Fidget any human medications, as many of these can be harmful to our guinea pig friends. Until he can be taken to a vet, please keep the area clean. If needed, you can replace his bedding with towels or fleece for a few days to help with this. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Fidget feels better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Cookie and including photos. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. This could be due to bite wounds but also possible dental disease. As guinea pigs mature, they might become more territorial and competitive. Is a larger cage possible, providing multiple feeding and water stations, more hiding places. Not all individuals get along, and might need to be separated. Good luck.

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Hamtaro's ear- from the pictures you sent, it looks very red and inflamed. Ear mites may be a cause as well as fungal infections. A veterinarian can rule out ear mites with an ear cytology sample (basically a swab or sample of material from the ear) and a fungal culture of the hair near or around the ear. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. I would try and keep the area clean for now. Mild cleansing cloth or 3% hydrogen peroxide to the affected area may help until a diagnosis can be made with your veterinarian. I hope this helps and best of luck to you!