Chelitis

Chelitis is a fungal infection usually present around the mouth or nose.

Symptoms
In mild cases there may be a small vertical stitch above the nose which is common in guinea pigs, and moderate cases are characterised by scabs and pustules around the mouth.

In rare severe cases the infection may produce large black scabs, cracked and bleeding lips, mucky incisors and a scabby spread down the neck toward the chest. The guinea pig my spread the infection to the skin surrounding the eyes through washing and to the genitals through coprophagy (eating of the droppings). This condition can be uncomfortable and painful and the guinea pig may lose weight if the sores around the mouth make eating difficult or unbearable.

Causes
The mild vertical stitch between the nostrils can be a genetic flaw and usually not infectious. Moderate and severe chelitis can be contracted after chewing at wooden toys, the hutch or metal bars. After a guinea pig has suffered from chelitis you must thoroughly disinfect the hutch or cage, bowls and bottles, toys and the metal bars. Thankfully this is not a common occurrance, so don't take all their toys and hidey holes away! The feeding of fruit and vegetables with high acidity, such as apple, should be avoided in guinea pigs prone to this condition as it can encourage the chelitis to return.

Treatment
The mild small vertical stitch above the nose shouldn't need treatment and the guinea pig can live with it quite happily. In moderate cases where there are pustules and scabs around the mouth, the area should be cleaned daily with sterile water and Hibiscrub and then apply Canesten cream to the area (rub this in gently but thoroughly around the mouth). You may need to see your vet for a course of antibiotics if it doesn't clear up. Keep the guinea pig in isolation until the infection is gone.

Severe cases will need immediate medical treatment from the vet. The guinea pig will need a course of strong antibiotics, regular cleaning of the area with sterile water and Hibiscrub, Canesten cream applied to the fungal parts, and Sudocrem gently rubbed into the area to prevent chapping and soreness. If the infection has spread, your vet may give you an anti-fungal shampoo and depending on the amount of scabbing, some areas may need to be shaved to help the shampoo and creams to get to the skin. Keep the guinea pig in isolation until the infection is gone.

Additional Care
If the guinea pig cannot eat properly then you will need to feed him using either Critical Care or by putting a selection of fresh vegetables, water and pellets through a blender to make a paste. While using your thumb and forefinger, gently hold the snout of the guinea pig and lift it, using the wrong end of a teaspoon to gently put the paste inside the cheek. You may need someone else to gently hold the bottom end to prevent the guinea pig from going backwards. Take your time and be mindful that the guinea pig may seriously dislike being fed in this way.

Flaky skin

This is a sign of either too much moisture (e.g. grease) or too little moisture (dry skin). Most commonly, guinea pigs of a pale colouring (usually Self Lilac or Self Beige) suffer from flaky skin.

A lot of boars often have skin that is slightly greasy anyway, especially around the rump area because of their active grease glands. To clear up greasy skin in a boar you will need to give him a bath on a regular basis using small animal shampoo or a product from the Gorgeous Guineas range. To ensure the skin on your boar does not become over-greasy again, regularly clean his grease gland when he has a bath.

Skin that is dry and persists to cause discomfort to the guinea pig may be a sign of mycosis (see below) and requires veterinary treatment.

Mycosis

Mycosis is a fungal infection of the skin and is characterised by dry flaky skin that causes intense itching and lots of scratching and squeaking.

Mild cases of mycosis can be treated with a dose of Canesten applied to the dry and itchy area once a day. Your vet may recommend a different dose of Canesten or even a different course of medication depending on the severity of the mycosis.

If the guinea pig has scratched the skin to a point where the wound is bloody, angry and gaping then veterinary advice must be saught.

Scratch wounds

Simple scratch wounds to the skin can be treated very easily with Kamillosan cream. Clean the wound with warm water and a cotton pad before applying the cream. Repeat daily until the wound is healed.