Guinea pig has dry and pink skin with dandruff but no parasites, any advice?

Question

I have a pink-eye guinea pig that has always had very dry and pink skin and dandruff. I know she has no mites or lice of any sort because the guinea pig that she shares her cage with has no sort of problem with her skin or fur. I brush her daily using two different brushes, first a flea brush for cats (it has blunt edges and doesn't bother her) to remove the dandruff and lose fur, and then a regular hamster brush to smooth her fur. This seems to help a lot but it isn't enough. I've tried different beddings with her and they don't seem to make any sort of difference.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Some guinea pigs do have naturally dry skin, but does she itch? It can't hurt to go to a vet and ask to have her dosed & treated with Ivermectin. With proper dosage it's harmless to the guinea pig, although if not used properly it can be deadly. Mites are not visible, and even if your other guinea pig isn't showing symptoms yet it could very well be the problem. Good luck!

Answer 2

this is probably sarcoptic mange.It sure sounds like it with the hair loss and flaky dandruff.It cannot be verified without a skin scraping of course.My vet explained to me that if the pigs live together they both have it and will both have to be treated simultaneously.One may have just dandruff and dry skin,one may have lesions, one may show no signs of it and another may be having fits because of the pain it  causes.It all depends on how their immune system handles it.This has happened to me.It is a very common affliction of pigs.If the pig comes from a pet shop it almost certain they come with guinea pig mange.They both have to be brought to a vet and treated.Do you have a vet who is good with guinea pigs?.Sometimes they call them an exotics vet.The treatment is very easy and fully effective.

The bedding has nothing to do with it.

Answer 3

ALLERGY