HOW DO I KEEP MY GUINEA PIG SAFE FROM SKIN PROBLEMS?

Skin problems are a major reason for guinea pig illness and death. Skin problems can kill a guinea pig so take it to a vet at the first signs. There are two main problems – fungal infections or mites.
You should bathe your guinea pig once a month. This needs adult supervision. Shampoos are available from www.gorgeousguineas.com and detailed instructions from www.rspcareadingguineapigs.co.uk Vet-Sect repel shampoo, which is an anti-fungal shampoo, is available from your vet.
Put a towel in the sink or bath so that the guinea pig won’t slip and feels secure. Wet the coat then put on the shampoo and leave for five minutes. Take care not to let any water get into guinea’s nose, or shampoo in his eyes. Finally, condition with Gorgeous Guineas conditioner. Once again, leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Stand guinea on one towel to soak up excess water from underneath, and towel dry with another. You can blow dry with a low heating setting. NEVER return a guinea pigs to an outside hutch until they are completely dry.
Check every week for any unusual lumps or bumps on your guinea pig looking at skin, as well as eyes, ears and feet. Anything unusual / different could be a sign that there is something wrong. Make sure the guinea pig home is dry and clean (see other FAQs). Fungal infections thrive in damp conditions.
To prevent mites you can use Indorex insecticide spray in the hutch, when the piggies are out of it. Follow instruction carefully. Or try Xenex Ultra a spot on which not only kills fleas but also mites, lice, ticks and even the flies which cause flystrike. It contains permethrin (deadly to cats though safe for guinea pigs).