What should I do if my guinea pig has inflamed skin and hemorrhages?

Thanks for reahcing out about Gordo and including photos. Could there be aggression from another animal? External parasites (mites) can lead to itching, and the scratching to cause the lesions. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Cleaning with a warm, moistened wash cloth might help but avoid soaps or topical antibiotics, as guinea pigs are meticulous groomers and will ingest. Good luck.

Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, generally speaking this presentation could be due to a trauma or recurrence of the localized skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Bleeding must be stopped as soon as possible with gentle pressure. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Looks like ringworm but you must understand that I really can’t be 100% sure just by looking at a photo. You should have your vet examine him. ( https://mobile.petcoach.co/amp/article/ringworm-in-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-transmission-signs-diag )

My best guess is that this could be ringworm however it is impossible to tell just by looking at a photo. I suggest you get this spray and apply it 2-3 times daily on the affected area. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-for-pets ) If after a week to 10 days it still is not resolving then you need to take her to a vet for an exam. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching her as ringworm, if it is that, is contagious to people.

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!

That looks like a laceration from the photo. I recommend to have Sussy examined by the veterinarian who may want to put her on antibiotics. In the mean time, you can gently wash the area with soap and rinse it very well. Pat dry the fur well. Make sure to keep her warm until she is dry. Remove the bedding and put a towel down so no dust or particles can contaminate the area. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello, Thanks for sending good pictures! I have a couple of suspicions about what is going on with Reeses' skin. Ringworm, which is a type of skin fungus, is very common in guinea pigs. Testing for this involves taking a hair sample from the area for something called a DTM culture test. This infection can spread very quickly over the entire pig's body and also spread to people. Mites are a type of skin parasite that can also affect guinea pigs and cause hair loss. They cause severe itchiness that can sometimes lead to seizures. This is generally tested for with looking at a scrape of the skin under the microscope. Both of these ailments generally require a course of topical and/or oral medications, along with regular cleaning of his environment during the treatment period to prevent re-infection. I would recommend taking Reeses into a veterinarian that's familiar with guinea pigs and having the area examined to determine the best course of diagnostics and treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I hope this is helpful!