Another skin problem

Question
Hi there! I have a young male guinea pig and I know there have been countless questions concerning skin problems but I still don't know what Baxter might have.  For a while now, he has had a couple of bald spots with some flaky skin on his hip area, but I have read that most GPs have sensitive skin and it may just be dry skin, so I didn't worry about it too much. However, just today, I noticed a few scabby areas that look painful. One right behind his ear and one right in the middle of his back. He doesn't scratch a whole lot and he doesn't seem to be bothered by these sores or in pain, but I don't want it to get any worse.  Should I try the milk bath and baby shampoo remedy I've read about? Also, does Neosporin ointment help heal sores such as these? Thank you!

Answer
Hi Samantha.  I haven't heard of the bath treatment, but I don't see what it can hurt (unless you get it in his eyes).  I would get him on some kind of ivermectin or other parasite control.  Any animal can get parasites (fleas, mites, etc).  Some people use revolution, but I do no know the dose.  A vet might be able to scale it down for you.  The bald spots on his hips and the middle of his back are places he likely scratches a lot and bites at due to the irritation.  The ear one he probably scratched with his back foot.  Neosporin would work, maybe for the one behind the ear.  The problem is that the ingredients in most OTC ointments cause an increase in heart rate if consumed.  Their little hearts beat fast enough as is I would be concerned with him licking it off and possibly having a heart attack (no, I've never heard of it happening, but I really wouldn't use the neosporin).  Try baby oil or something on those spots to see if that will help the skin - hopefully he won't eat that.
Anngela