Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Guinea Pigs > This is my first guinea pig, and i dont know who to go to for help

This is my first guinea pig, and i dont know who to go to for help

21 14:47:41

Question
I have 2 american guinea pigs, and they both are loosing a LOT of hair.  One of them is sctatching it a lot, and it makes it scabby and flaky, and the other had it in her ear (it was very flaky and had no hair) and now it's on her back.  her back is almost bald! They both have those parasite things (i think that's what they are) that are little white eggs, and grow to be sorta the same color.  I have trouble trimmimg their nails (they get REALLY long..and it hurts to hold them because it scratches) because the nail clipper aren't big enough.  when i give them their food (it has a variety) they only eat the things that look like raisens.  My folks won't take them to the vet unless they're very sick becuase it costs too much..i don't know what to do. and i also don't know if they're females..when we bought them, the guys said they were females, but every once in a while, they start purring, and one stalks the other, and gets on her.  the one that's getting stalked looks fatter, but she stalks the other guinea pig too...if ones a male, i won't know which one

Answer
i highly suggest that you ethier get a very good book to learn how to take care of them or give the piggies to someone who nows about them. i know it sounds sad but think about them. ethier choice you make you should take them to the vet. please please take them to the vet i hate to hear that a living thing is suffering. thats the best advice you can ever get. if you deside the first choice then you should learn how to take care of them over night. hear is ome tips:

1. they eat pellets it's the best thing to feed them. also some fesh veggies and fruits should be offered.

2. their cage should be big enough for them to run in.
the best bedding in pine woodchips. you should use newspaper to line the cage it's a lot more easy to clean they that way.

3. they need water of course so a good quality water should be hooked on to the cage.


4. safe cat toys can be fun for them to play with or mabe a hanging bird toy.

5. GUINEA PIGS NEED VITAMIN C. thats why you should give your piggie oranges. if they don't like oranges thats okay because pellets has vitamin C in it's mixure.

6. hay is important too.

7. a cup of pellets should be offered to your piggie everyday.

8. remember the things that you take care of your piggie with like pellets keep them healthy so you don't need to go to the vet.

9. clip you pigs nails every 3 weeks. you can cover you pig with a towel to prevent biting and it also helps them be more calm. another way you could clip there nail is have another person hold you pig and you clip them.

10. you should clean your piggie every other day.

your piggie might have mites you could give you piggie a bath DON'T FILL THE WATER TO HIGH AND MAKE SURE THE WATER IS WARM NOT HOT. YOU SHOULD USE LITE PUPPY SHAMPOO. ALSO A TOWEL NO HAIR DRYER. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU PIGGIE IS DRY NOT DAMP DRY BEFOR YOU PUT HER BACK IN IT'S CAGE.