Guinea Pig Mange

by Barbara Eddie, Veterinary Nurse

Mange is a skin disease caused by a burrowing mite (called Sellnick mite) which triggers severe itching.

Symptoms normally take 3-5 weeks to show although sometimes guinea pigs can remain symptomless for considerable periods. However they will act as healthy carriers of the disease. In cases of stress, e.g. pregnancy, change of environment, other concurrent diseases or old age, the mite will start multiplying and symptoms will occur.

The first signs of the disease are usually a thinning coat, with dandruff and itching. Initial symptoms occur around the groin, shoulders and around the neck, head and front legs. Later the itching, hair loss and skin irritation increases. The guinea pig bites and scratches itself leading to self-trauma which worsens the open sores leading to the spread all over the body. Eventually the guinea pig is unable to eat (resulting in weight loss) or sleep because of the pain. The itching may also cause convulsions, which look similar to epileptic seizures. If untreated the guinea pig will finally die.

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