Orrinoco has got a skin problem :( It's been red and sore for a few days now and he is losing hair, silly thing is I haven't seen him scratch at it. I've been applying some tea tree skin cream but just wondered if anyone had any other ideas. If it persists then I guess its a vet trip but I don't like taking piggys to the vets as many don't know how to treat them

Orrinoco has got a skin problem :( It's been red and sore for a few days now and he is losing hair, silly thing is I haven't seen him scratch at it. I've been applying some tea tree skin cream but just wondered if anyone had any other ideas. If it persists then I guess its a vet trip but I don't like taking piggys to the vets as many don't know how to treat them

Sounds like mites so you're in for an expensive trip to the vets (or 3)! It's very important to take them as without treatment they can prove fatal, as the guinea pig scratches until they have an open wound and they can get blood poisoning. It could also be ringworm, so it's very important to get it properly diagnosed and treated appropriately, please DO NOT try and self medicate a guinea pig if you aren't experienced.

I know what you mean about vets with guinea pigs. With internal problems they can be very difficult but I've always found them to be fairly knowledgable about skin complaints.

P.S. You should take both to the vets as although the other isn't showing symptoms, its important to have both treated as skin conditions are contagious.

Thanks for that Twiglet, looks like a vet trip for the lads!

I would also suggest if they try giving it anti biotics to say no, they have been proven to be a total waste of time in these cases.

I would also suggest you invest in Ivermec, if your vet wont let you buy it, let me know I can get you some. They charge £12 per shot, I can get 100 doses orally for those kind of prices but vets wont let on that fact ;)