Is a sudden new spot or mark on my guinea pig a cause for concern?

Hello, and thank you for your question. Rachael is so cute. The nose looks like it has an abrasion from rubbing. Has he been rubbing his nose against the cage bars or something else in his house? That would be my first guess, especially if he does not seem bothered by the spot. Other possibilities would be a bacterial infection, fungal infection, or parasites. I would still recommend taking him to the vet in case the skin is infected and requires antibiotics. In the meantime, I would monitor him closely for any rubbing, and take away anything in his house that you think could be the culprit. I hope this helps, and that Rachael gets better soon!

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.

Thank you for your question, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. The area in the photo is a normal structure, and it is a nipple on your guinea pig's belly. There should be one on the other side if you part the hair. These will be present on both sexes of guinea pigs (males and females), and there should be two of them. In the photo that you provided, the nipple and surrounding area do not look inflammed or irritated, and the skin appears very comfortable. I saw that you mentioned that your guinea pig had been itching - mites and lice are very common in guinea pigs, and these could be potential sources of the itchiness that you are seeing. If the itching continues, I would recommend seeking out a veterinarian to evaluate for parasites. If they find them, s/he can prescribe an anti-parasitic medication to treat your guinea pigs. Please do not give your guinea pigs any human medications at home, as many of them can be harmful to our furry friends. I hope that helps, and thank you again for including photos!

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 using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I see a darker area with shorter hairs. If this is just above where Moo's tail would be, it is her grease gland. This is a gland that all guinea pigs have and it releases pheromones and oils to lubricate the hair. It is completely normal. Some guinea pigs can develop issues with their gland, requiring cleaning by their owner. You can gently clean the area with water and a mild shampoo (check your pet store for a product called Malaseb) if it gets too greasy. Definitely have the area checked out by a vet if it appears red or has any discharge. Good luck with Moo!

Monitor Elsa for lethargy, decreased appetite or an increase in thirst or urination. If the stool is normal and formed, the blood may be in her urine. This could indicate a urinary tract infection. You would need to have her examined by your veterinarian for confirmation. A urine sample can be collected and submitted for urinalysis as well as a culture and sensitivity panel. These tests can confirm infection, identify the responsible organism and determine the best antibiotic to use in treatment.

Rex's nose looks a little crusty. I would observe his behavior. If he is eating,drinking and using the restroom normally I would not be concerned as long as the lesion is not getting worse. Rex could be using his nose to dig in the cage and causing trauma. I would recommend making sure there is proper breeding. However it is possible Rex could also have a skin bacterial or fungal infection. If at anytime if gets worse or not improving I recommend taking rex to a vet for a better exam.