Dermatologic Problems in Guinea Pigs

Skin disease may be the most common reason that owners take their guinea pigs to a veterinarian. In addition, skin diseases are very common in laboratory colonies and may interfere with the quality and conditions of research. Most skin conditions in guinea pigs are due to infectious diseases, of which the most frequent cause is parasites. This article organizes skin diseases of guinea pigs based on the predominance of one of four clinical signs: pruritus, alopecia with minimal pruritus, excessive scaling, and nodules. Because a number of skin diseases of guinea pigs may present with variable or multiple clinical signs, it is helpful to approach these diseases according to the most likely diagnostic differential.