My guinea pig is scratching his nose. How can I tell if he has fleas?

It's not likely to be fleas (not common in guinea pigs and you would usually see them) , it's more likely to be mites, which are tiny creatures that you cannot see with the naked eye. you will need to buy a treatment against mites, you can find those at pet shops and veterinary clinics.

You are correct that Theo could get fleas from being outside, and yes there are rabbit safe flea medications to prevent this. Advantage and Revolution are both safe to use on rabbits, and you can pick some up from your vet's office. They will be able to tell you the correct dose for Theo's weight :-)

If you're unsure of the type of parasite causing issues for Theodore, it is best to seek veterinary care to have any of the mites/bites examined and parasite type found. There are safe topical flea medications available for rabbits through your vet such as advantage and revolution that can help prevent fleas and mites, and your vet can also use a special type of lamp to check the area for ringworm. If you do see fleas, you can use a fine-toothed comb and a gentle bath with Dawn dish soap to kill/suffocate fleas and safely remove them without chemicals.

The injury on the nose may have been due to excessive scratching. This can be caused by infection (bacterial or fungal) or by parasites. It may have also been due to trauma from cage furniture, tank mates (if present) or another family pet (if present). Ideally, Joey should be examined by your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis. Antibiotics, topical or systemic, can be dispensed if indicated.

Hi, he could have mites. I would suggest your ring your local vets to have him checked over and if anything else is excluded you could treat him with drops on the back of the neck for mites. Hope this helps !

Poor Foxy, mites are a common reason for guinea pigs to scratch incessantly. I am not aware of a safe over the counter product that works for them. My experience has been to use a spot of Revolution (selamectin) onto the skin. Or a drop of ivermectin injectable which is also off label use. The treatment is repeated weekly until no further itching.

Mites can cause this sort of appearance in guinea pigs. The best medication to use to combat mites in rodents is Revolution, a drug marketed for kittens. It requires veterinary prescription to obtain, so you will need to take Reese to see the doctor before obtaining any. Hope this makes sense.