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One of the most common problems I have seen in cavies are “skin problems”. The causes of abnormal hair, coat or skin lesions are many and often more than one cause exists for a particular problem.
Generally the abnormalities of skin and hair can be listed under the following groups:
Causes: Any time the skin is broken it may become infected. This is more likely to happen if:
- The cage is not cleaned regularly or is not dry and draught free.
- The diet is not correct, causing lowered body defence.
- There is a higher chance of injury to skin, as in overcrowding, poor cage construction, poor hay etc.
Signs: Usually a single area which may be pusy and does not heal as quickly as expected of a clean cut. Wet dermatitis, which is usually a secondary bacterial infection, is seen as a moist area of skin, inflamed and sore, which gradually enlarges and causes discomfort and irritation to the cavy.
Treatment: Most bacterial infections respond well to:
Cleansing - cut away hair if necessary. Clean the wound with warm water and remove any scabs which may trap pockets of pus - (it is not necessary to use disinfectant, salt, boracic acid etc.).
A dry dusting powder, e.g. E.D.P. available at either the chemist or your veterinarian, is suitable for both dry and moist infected areas. Preparations such as weak Iodin, mercurochrome, Savlon may be used with care. Wipe off any excess immediately. NONE of the preparations should be put in the eyes, ears or mouths of cavies. Areas that fail to heal after this type of treatment may need antibiotic/anti-inflammatory therapy - check with your veterinarian.
2. FUNGAL INFECTION
(Ringworm) - Note: THIS IS NOT A WORM, but is a fungus (like a bread mould) infection.
Causes: Fungus of different sorts may get into the skin especially if:
- Conditions are damp.
- Infected animals are left in contact with clean ones.
- Other skin conditions have damaged the area.
- Young animals are involved.
Fungal infections are often SECONDARY to other cases of skin damage. There are two main groups of fungi which cause lesions - Microsporum Spp. and Trichopyton Spp.
Signs: These fungi cause numerous small isolated patches of hair loss. Usually these areas are on the head or neck regions. They may have a red inflamed ring at their edges with dry scale in the middle. Sometimes hair tufts may be plucked out easily exposing a weeping moist area underneath. In advanced cases the isolated areas run together and large areas may appear.
Treatment: Antifungal washes and ointments are available which will cure this problem. However, be very careful of the type and amount of preparation used, some antifungal agents are poisonous if licked off or used at the wrong strength. Useful compounds are: Jovone Scrub, Conofite ointment, Panalog ointment, Oidine topical 2%.
In severe cases oral antifungal agents are available (Griseofulvin) but should not generally be needed.
Isolation of infected individuals is essential to halt the spread of fungus and the recovery period is usually slow (4-6 weeks).
Dry conditions, regular cleaning and good diet assist recovery. There is usually a good immunity developed in those cavies which have had an infection hence it is not usual for the same cavy to succumb again. This means young stock have a higher risk factor.
3. PARASITE INFECTIONS
Lice, mites, fleas, ticks.
Causes: These insects are common to many mammals, only their species name differs for the different host species, hence they may cross over from rabbits, cats, dogs, etc. Fleas and ticks are uncommon. Lice and mites are likely to be of more concern. Lice can be seen under a hand magnifying lens - brush the cavy on paper, collect and examine the brushings.
Signs:
Primary signs of infection are:
- Itching may be mild to frantic.
- Hair loss may be mild to severe, often along the back and behind the ears.
- Skin thickening and shedding (dandruff).
Secondary signs may be:
- Scabbing over, broken or weeping skin.
- Bacterial or fungal secondary infection.
- Low body weight and even death.
Treatment: LICE - These live ON the skin and are usually killed by dusting powders e.g. Malathion, Pyrethians. Usually CAT powders or BIRD powders are effective and safe. Brush them into the coat then out. Bedding should be changed regularly and hutches powdered as well. Do your dog or cat or rabbit at the same time.
MITES - Live IN the skin layer and are much more difficult to kill.
Skin scraping and microscope examination is necessary to diagnose mites.
Tetmosol - 1 part in 72 parts water (warm) and dip cavy in and allow to dry - don’t wash off.
Treat all affected cavies and those in contact, then isolate infected ones and treat every two weeks for 2-3 treatments. Recovery is seen by:
- Decreased itching and scratching.
- New hair growth
4. NUTRITIONAL
Causes: Usually associated deficiency or lack of an essential ingredient in the diet. Lack offal, fatty acids, Vitamin B5, B6 and Bioton may all cause changes in the hair, coat and skin. Lens: Deficiency of fats and fatty acids causes hair loss and dermatitis. Deficiency of B5 causes roughness of coat. Deficiency of Bioton causes colour changes in coat.
Treatment: Obviously a balanced diet eliminates all these causes. A balanced diet and/or commercial pelleted food and hay will eliminate dietary skin problems.
5. TRAUMATIC
Causes: - Rough projections in cage.
- Poor design - doorways too small etc.
- Exposed wire ends.
- Wire floors.
- Excess grass seeds in hay or hay too ‘stalky’.
- All may produce patchy hair loss by rubbing or catching the hair or actual skin breaks.
Treatment: Eliminate the above causes.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
All the causes which don’t fit elsewhere.
- FIGHTING: Patchy hair loss and scarring and laceration, especially of rumps and ears.
- Skin infections and abscesses may result.
Treatment: Avoid overcrowding.
Isolate retired breeding males.
Avoid mixing strange adults - they fight more. Separate any incompatible individuals.
BREEDING: In late pregnancy there is a normal thinning of the coat. This is more obvious with intensive breeding and is more or less obvious in different individuals. It is NOT abnormal.
Treatment: Nil or stop breeding or decrease breeding frequency.
BARBERING: this habit of pulling or stripping the coat may be done by an individual to itself or by others in a group. Often one or two of a group are “picked on” by the rest. Self barbering may be differentiated from group barbering by area distribution. Self barbers cannot reach behind their necks or on top of their heads.
Treatment: - Decrease group number.
- Feed hay.
LIP SPLITS
Signs: Small infections at the corners of the mouth or more commonly in the fold of skin between the nostrils and upper lip.
Causes: Unknown.
Treatment: Often associated with feeding bran therefore stop for 4 weeks. If that does not help - Panalog ointment applied twice daily will settle the areas down.
HORMONAL/NEOPLASTIC
Causes: Rare variations in adrenal, thyroid and sex hormones may cause skin and hair changes, these always are variable but may be associated with tumours (growths) in these organs which affect their function.
Signs: - Bilateral symmetry of hair loss. Silkiness of coat and thinning generally.
- Colour changes.
Treatment: These conditions may not be curable. Veterinary attention is needed.
(Originally published in the Cavy Council of Victoria 1983 Yearbook)
