Bald patches on guinea pigs back in the day

Jan 11, 2010 guinea pigs can get mites and fleas also and bald patches can be caused by scratching the skin. She often nibbles at this spot but it doesnt look red or sore although it does have a couple of red spots on the bald area of skin. Now ive put her on a diet shes overweight, started giving her more veggies romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli, and upped her dosage of vitamin c i drop it into her water bottle. A guinea pig can catch ringworm from another guinea pig or from contaminated objects such as bedding. Hair loss in guinea pigs can happen for a number of different reasons and it is important to consider the other factors affecting it before trying to decide what the cause might be. Like humans, guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin c, so they need a certain amount of it each day or theyll suffer from dental problems, growth problems, and a poor immune system. The revolution was a liquid that was dabbed behind the ears on the bald patch. Guinea pigs often show their affection through vocalizations. Guinea pigs have four long teeth at the front that might occasionally become broken, and the molars at the back can sometimes become overgrown. Guinea pig hair loss how to identify and treat fungal. Therefore, in the guinea pigs affected by cataracts the light struggles to pass through the cornea leading to the the impartial loss of vision or a complete blindness. Fleas leave their brownblack waste that look like dirt. Many many cases of hairless guinea pigs come to the sanctuary where mites and fungal are a problem.

Like a guinea pig version of eczema or something just because of the fact it looks quite dry. Now he is much better and his hair has grown back, but he is shedding a lot. Guinea pigs usually have bald spots inside the front legs see photo at right, perhaps as a result of grooming, with the hair being continuously. For example, you may hear a sound called wheeking when your pet. Her other rossets although have all the fur but do look quite flakey. One of the common causes for hair loss is due to barbering, a behavior by which guinea pigs will chew or tear their own or each others hair off as a result of conflicts between adult males or between adults and young. The two bald patches are in the middle of her abyssinian rossets. These bald patches will develop a crusty, flaky type appearance with red patches which look quite sore, especially around their eyes, ears and noses. Shop chewy for low prices and a wide selection of the best small pet supplies. The environment they live in may provide clues to other hair losses, such as hair being rubbed off the back by running in and out of living quarters or a plastic tunnel. Harrys bald spot is looking much better, the skin looks pretty healthy. If your guinea pig has bald spots, then this could be due to mange mites or a fungal infection, both of which are easily treatable with a special shampoo. Guinea pigs can develop sore hocks from living on a wireonly cage bottom.

Guinea pigs are most active at dawn and twilight, taking naps throughout the day. A dominant guinea pig might be picking on a less dominant one, and pulling his hair out as a result. Then the neighbours terrier got in and savaged the guinea pigs. Is it normal for guinea pigs to shed that much or could it be mange mites. Guinea pigs are able to live in indoor or outdoor cages dependant on the climate where you live. How to treat lice on guinea pigs my pet guinea pig. Apr 01, 2010 the guinea pig herd has had an outbreak of fur mites. Guinea pigs can get mites and fleas also and bald patches can be caused by scratching the skin. The american cavy breeders association acba recognizes guinea pig breeds. Guinea pigs are very affectionate animals and most owners will handle them at least once a day, although getting them used to this gradually is essential as they are very nervous and can get very stressed by clumsy handling.

From food, treats, habitats, bedding, litter, beds, toys, harnesses, carriers grooming products and more chewy has the best small pet supplies from toprated brands. When these patches appear on the face, it is usually around the eyes, nose, and ears. When your guinea pig is getting older loss of hair is a sign of aging. If your guinea pig is scratching at the bald patches it could be ring worm or mites if its ring wormring worm will look like a brownish color ring with whitish pink in the center you can buy an. One of the main problems is that guinea pigs come from a dry climate and cannot always cope with the humidity they often experience in captivity. No itching or spots anywhere else poor ginny must of scratched herself while grooming, and the back of her neck was covered in dried blooda large scab where her skin is bald. Unfortunately, you cant give guinea pigs lots of vitamin c on one day and hope that it will be enough to last them several. Any loss of hair in guinea pigs that isnt behind the ears. Is it normal for guinea pigs to shed that much or could it. Flies can lay eggs on the guinea pig s soiled rear end, which hatch into maggots that burrow into the. Many owners assume that guinea pigs lose their hair as they get older, but this isnt true. Lice cause the guinea pig to scratch and lose hair. Feb 10, 2020 how to care for an elderly guinea pig. Oxbow animal health oxbow animal health guinea pig health.

Usually, guinea pig will relax and rest its head on the ground, and some of them will be totally relaxed and spread out their hind legs. There are some short hairs and some flakey yellow skin when you scratch at it. There are many reasons for hair loss to occur in guinea pigs. Jul 21, 2012 when guinea pigs experience hair loss, this can arise for a number of reasons. My guinea pig is itching his back a lot and theres no sign of missing hair but theres a rough small patch. Sometimes when guinea pigs are housed together, the dominant pig will bite the fur of those lower on the pecking order. Guinea pigs are sexually mature at the age of just six weeks so should be separated accordingly. Guinea pigs can shed quite heavily, especially in spring as the weather warms up. The vet we saw said and i quote i dont know much at all about guinea pigs. Guinea pigs without signs of illness may carry bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria in the nose or throat.

This usually between two males, or it might happen between an adult and a young one. The most common reason for hair loss is when a guinea pig is infected with parasites. Similar to human, cataracts are quite common in older pigs, however can develop in young aged piggies. For example, you may hear a sound called wheeking when your pet is looking for a treat, or purring when being held. If you have other pigs in the same hutch it could be from fighting or it could be nothing sinister at all, just simply that the guinea pig has rubbed against something and caused hair loss. Hair loss in guinea pigs guinea lynx a medical and. While some rare pigs will always dislike physical contact, you can convince yours to enjoy petting by building up his trust slowly and bribing him with treats. You dont want your guinea pig getting too cold, so a lot of people keep them outside during the day, then bring them inside overnight or if there is some stormy weather coming. If you suspect your guinea pig has a skin problem, contact an exotics veterinarian immediately for a diagnosis and treatment. When this dries up the lesions become dry and scaly. If your guinea pig rapidly loses weight and does not appear to be eating you should see a vet immediately and ask about the teeth. Although the mites will clear up and hair will start growing back after the. Guinea pigs are adorable little creatures which is why they make such. Jul 06, 2019 depending on where your guinea pigs have been spending time, you may also need to treat carpets and couches in your home as well.

Harkness and wagner describe the lesions as oviod, hairless, scaling sore spots with crusts or scabs over raised areas. The molars in the back of the mouth are often the cause of this problem, even though teeth in the front of the mouth may seem normal. It may also be exhibited by females that are under stress. Pellets are usually the culprit, so be careful not to overfeed. A little bit above the bald spot i found what seemed like some dry and flaky skin, with a tiny little scab. Your vet will be able to advise the best way to do this, but again you should do this as soon as possible after treating your guinea pigs. Cure guinea pig and cavies skin disease caused by mites. The primary sign of ringworm is the presence of bald, scaly patches, usually starting on the face nose, around the eyes, and ears and head. Her companion had died shortly before so i think it was stress. We have a guinea pig with small bald spots around the nose. If your pet is suffering from the condition, youll notice bald patches appearing. I remember it being a little sort of indent a while ago, but now it looks bigger.

Feb 05, 2008 she developed two bald spots on her back near her rear that are semetrical. Guinea pigs do not have hair behind their ears usually but it tends to become thinner in that area as they age. Artist erin bonilla from suffolk, virgina, teamed up with a guinea pig breeder to snap these photos of the hairless animal taking a bubble bath. These should normally be about 1cm in diameter and there is usually a few scattered hair present at the.

Ive not seen ringworm firsthand, but i understand its flakier than mites. Infection can be transmitted from one guinea pig to another when droplets are sprayed into the air by sneezing or coughing. All four conditions must be treated by a veterinarian promptly. Nov 30, 2017 1 day i noticed a lot of scratching from some of the girls. It may have also gotten an infection from extremely dangerous mange mites. Disorders and diseases of guinea pigs all other pets. I kinda spread and inspected through his fur a little bit. My guinea pig has been scratching his back a lot every single day. If you have other pigs in the same hutch it could be from fighting or. By knowing what the most common illnesses are, you can be better prepared to monitor for signs and symptoms that your guinea pig may be getting sick. For severe cases, the vet may even recommend a third treatment 710 days after that. Fungus can cause bald patches, scaly skin, and hair loss. Mar 24, 2019 when my sisters recently gave me a guinea pig, millie, she had a bald spot on her back but no other bald spots. You may have carefully chosen a pair of females to avoid breeding and the potential dangers pregnancy can cause, only to witness one of your guinea pigs chasing and mounting the other.

Jan 12, 2020 if your guinea pig has ringworm, the first thing youll probably notice are itchingscratching and bald patches, usually starting on the face and then spreading backwards along the back. Dermatophytes ringworm include trichophyton mentagrophytes and its variants. I queried, inspecting the scabby scratches and bald patches on his neck. He hasnt shown any sign of infection and hes in a cage on his own although i have other piggies it seems fine, its not raised, itchy or growing. Guinea pigs associate different scents with danger, and thus there is a high chance that your guinea pig is biting you because of a particular smell from your hands. If you notice any bald spots or patches of missing hair on your guinea pig, treat it as something serious and investigate as to how it happened.

Guinea pig dominance behavior can be surprising and startling to the firsttime owner. However, if the shedding is combined with itching and leaves bald patches your guinea pig probably has mites. A guinea pig s bald spot could be caused by external parasites, allergies, or illness. Any loss of hair in guinea pigs that isnt behind the ears should be investigated. This can cause a furry mess in their cage and around your house and exacerbate allergies. They do look quite dry flakey on and around the bald patches. This post explains how they were diagnosed, the treatment for guinea pig mites, and photos of the ordeal. Getting your guinea pig out of his cage and petting him is a good way to build a bond between you and your pet. In guinea pigs, the tufts of hair may be stuck together by a crust of exudate the skin beneath may exude serum. How to check your guinea pigs hair guinea pig illnesses.

Sep 05, 2015 keep your guinea pig cage clean, and dont overcrowd guinea pigs in cages. Artist snaps bald guinea pig strawberry shortcake taking. The average weight of a mature guinea pig is right around 2 pounds. But, if the hair loss is excessive it might be because of the changes in the temperature, so your piggy is adjusting its coat. Worked amazing on our guinea pig, she had scratched herself to the point she was bleeding and bald in a decent sized area behind her ear. If youre wondering, why does my guinea pig nibble me. But did you know that excluding the 5, there are about 18 different breeds of guinea pigs globally as of the moment, and some of them are even bald. The life span of a guinea pig is approximately seven years you should bear this in mind when making your purchase. Guinea pigs can become obese if fed too much of the wrong food.

A female guinea pig could well produce five litters a year. We sought treatment at this point for everyone even 6 girls that showed no symptoms. Living past the age of 5 qualifies the guinea pig as a senior citizen who doesnt behave as vibrantly or bounce back from illness as. Guinea pigs are amongst the most popular pets in the united states because they are relatively small and easy to look after. There may be multiple sites, on the back and limbs, especially in warm weather. Now behind the ears, is a less worrisome for hair loss.

Pregnant females often lose a lot of hair because their hormones are unbalanced and this always grows back, so there is no need to worry if this happens to your. Theres no hair loss, ive treated for mites, bacteria and fungal possibilities. After two or three applications directions are 3xs a day basically in one day shed stopped scratching, after a weekend we could see signs of her fur starting to grow back. Aug 10, 2019 how to stop a guinea pig from shedding. It may have also gotten an infection from extremely dangerous mange mites or fungus. Guinea pigs usually have bald spots inside the front legs see photo at right, perhaps as a result of grooming, with the hair being continuously rubbed off by cleaning their. One of the most common and easily curable health issues in guinea pigs is the. The most likely cause is something like lice or fleas have a look yourself, and, either take to a vet or try using a shampoo for guineapigs to get rid of them. We were given meds to bring home, so that we can rub it behind his ears after 30 days, and again after 30 more.

Rightso anyway he felt her over briefly and looked at the bald patches, asked a couple of really obvious questions i. Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, can live between 58 years. When she developed this problem before, i just gave her more vitamin c and it cleared up. Why does my guinea pig have a bald spot on her back. The itching from lice or fleas causes them to scratch and then their fur comes out leaving bald patches. They dont require your attention 247 or long walks in the park and, as long as you feed them some good oxbow guinea pig food, they will live a good life. Asked in guinea pigs are guinea pigs bald when born. These tufts will fall out and hair regrow in about 4 weeks. Apr 30, 2010 amanda mitchison has had enough of pets. This is because there are natural bald spots without sweat glands as well behind the ears of guinea pigs. It may seem like your guinea pig does not enjoy the experience. Guinea pig health and wellness guide all guinea pig. The next day, he was back to his sweet and loving self instead of the irritable guy he had become. Jul 22, 2010 ringworm infection is a common infection in guinea pigs is.

If you look closely, inside the bald patches there will be red, scaly circular patches made up of concentric rings of overlapping scales. The bald patches generally have crusty, flaky, red patches within them. If your guinea pig has hair loss and is itching or scratching a lot, it may have lice or mites. Ringworm commonly starts around the head area, unlike mites, which often presents as a v shape on the back. No itching or spots anywhere else tonight, while doing a cage clean, i decided to inspect a spot on harrys butt that looked a little different.

Most commercial guinea pig diets have vitamin c built in, but it degrades within 90 days after the food is milled, so it is best not to rely on the pellets alone. Oxbow animal health oxbow animal health guinea pig. I recently took my 5 year old piggy stitch to the vet as i noticed she was biting her back legships quite a lot and started to get bald patches from ripping her fur out. Guinea pigs suffer from a number of skin complaints and it is the general belief among guinea pig owners that skin issues account for most if not all of their trips to the vet.

Patches may first appear on the face around the eyes, nose and ears, and from there the infection can spread to the back. A guinea pig s color has nothing to do with its life, except for if it is getting bald patches or patches of color that werent there before. Guinea pigs can suffer as much as most other pets the. Guinea pig behaviour all about guinea pigs guinea pig manual. The ointment would need to be applied to the bald patches over the course of 7 to 10 days. She gave in to her sons desire for a dog but it became ill and had to be put down. My guinea pig is developing a bald spot by his hind leg. This bald spot will grow rapidly over the next few days, often with dry, flaky skin. Common illnesses guinea pig illnesses guinea pigs guide. The ringworm infection is characterized by bald patches that commonly start at the head. They need to take small naps during the day and night. Guinea pigs do not require sleeping for a long periods as they are not nocturnal animals like hamsters.

For caretakers of guinea pigs encouraging the proper. While they are usually healthy animals, there are a number of diseases that commonly affect pet guinea pigs. How to identify and treat fungal and mite mange guinea pig stuff. A guinea pig can acquire ringworm infection from another guinea pig or from contaminated objects such as bedding. Any hair loss in an older guinea pig should be investigated. What causes ringworm in guinea pigs because ringworm is a fungal infection it is highly contagious which means if one pet has it, then other animals in the household may well catch it too if they. The bald patch behind their ears is also an indicator.

You can usually see them scratching quite often if this is the case. A healthy animals receiving good nutrition and exercise feels firm in the body. There are usually bite marks and skin irritations or inflammation near the area of hair loss. Sometimes it can develop on guinea pigs suffering from diabetes. Im a new mama to a rescued male guinea not sure of his age. So for a while now, my guinea pig has had a bald spot on her back. If it is a sow, the bald spot could be from ovarian cysts depending on where it is on their body. We also separated all pigs into cages according to the severity of the symptoms. He has no rash on his skin and the area is not sensative. In a way, this is a good thing as the owner will probably notice hair loss quite quickly. This guinea pig still has her companion and i cant think what can be causing stress but dont know why else her hair is falling out. Contrary to its name, this infection is not due to a parasitic worm, but to a microsporum species of fungus, typically the trichophyton mentagrophytes fungus, also clinically referred to as ringworm.