Question:
Hi. I recently got a new guinea pig from someone who had developed allergies to her. Since we have received her she has begun to bite and scratch her back.

We took her to the vets and she examined her for mites and lice. Both were negative. The vet said also that it was unlikely due to the bedding since she is biting her back.

My question is, is it possible for my guinea pig to be biting herself due to stress or depression? At her previous owners she lived with a baby guinea pig. At our house, she is housed next to my other guinea pig. Thank you.

Answer:
My guess (please don't mistake this for education,lol) is that this poor lil critter is freaked out about the move from his home to his new home. Ijust babysat a puppy for the weekend and when he went home his owner said he stopped eating, peed and pooped on the floor, tore up toilet paper, dug a hole in her bathroom cabinet, and just plain acted naughty!
on the following wednesday she asked me if I wanted to keep him because she is in her mid 80's and cannot put up with this behavior.

We guessed that he was acting out because he is a 4 month old pup and came to my house (there are 4 kids and 3 other dogs here) and lived in an atmosphere of a young family vs. his normal elderly owner.

I think when changes happen in our pets lives they can do weird things. I went to the indoor zoo many years ago and a panther was just pacing back and forth with fur missing from it's hind quarters. they said it was stress. Think about whales whose dorsal fins sag over in captivity despite the best efforts to fake an ocean atmosphere.

Since he's been to the vet,and he has no skin problems,give him some time and quiet space, gentle handling, and maybe try a different bottom lining, vitamins for stress could help. But ,of course, dont wait too long before seeking help again.

I felt guilty about this, but she can see him whenever she wants to!
Laurie

Answer:
I doubt guinea pigs have the brains to be depressed. Before anyone jumps on that, I had a guinea pig myself. He lived for 8 years, his name was William and I loved him dearly.

Your guinea pig could be missing the companionship of the pig in the former home. Guinea pigs are social animals and often do not like being alone.

Answer:
Thank you for your replies.

We called the previous owner and asked if she had been biting and scratching her back, to the point of bleeding and she had.

We took her back to the vets on Monday and right now she is receiving injections of ivermectin, since it probably is mites. Sometimes hair pull tests don't show mites, which is why we missed it the first time.

I think guinea pigs are alot more intelligent than what most people give them credit for and would never undermine what they can and cannot feel. How would we know?

We know that they are sociable creatures, which is why we have 2 pigs.

Thanks Again!

Answer:
My rats had mites too with scratching and scabs. The ivermectin got rid of them. Your other pig likely has them too!

Answer:
Good to hear about the ivermectin!

We are keeping a close eye on the 2nd one. Since we have kept them separated from day 1 the vet thinks that the chances of her getting them are minimal. I guess we'll see in the next week or so (let's hope she doesn't get them!).

Thanks!

Answer: