My guinea pig's losing hair on sides?

Question

Help! My guinea pig is losing hair on the sides, bald patches! What could be the cause and cure? Help fast!

Answer 1

Hair Loss in Guinea Pigs

While there are many possible reasons for hair loss, the most common reason by far is microscopic mange mites, a painful parasitic condition easily treated with ivermectin. Fungal infections are a close runner-up.

Check over this list for the possible causes of hair loss: NATURAL Hair Loss

    Naturally occurring bald spots behind the ears

    Shedding hair MECHANICAL Hair Loss

    Barbering: "Hair cutting" by another artistic, jealous, or bored pig

    War wounds and Abrasion (and other miscellaneous mechanical hair removal) PARASITES

    Extremely common. Treat any pig with suspected mange mites with ivermectin.

        Read more: PARASITES FUNGUS

Often starts on the face, usually easily treated with an anti-fungal cream.

        Read more: FUNGUS METABOLIC Hair Loss

    Vitamin C deficiency : can be hard to identify, signs may suggest other illnesses and a deficiency may also compound other problems.

        Read more: SCURVY

    Postpartum and Hormonal hair loss, usually bilaterally symmetric. Important to note that the stress of birth may lead to an outbreak of mites.

    Bacterial infection Cryptococcosis or staphylococcal dermatitis lesions and associated hair loss, usually occurring on the trunk (Harkness and Wagner)

    Low protein diets (under 15% CP) (Harkness and Wagner)

    Animals near weaning age Thinning of hair is frequently observed in young animals at time of weaning and is associated with "the period of transition between loss of baby fur and appearance of more coarse guard hairs".

BALD SPOTS BEHIND THE EARS

The new guinea pig owner, after reading about hair loss and mites, lice and fungus diseases, will hurriedly run over to check their own pig, and be alarmed to find that it has what appear to be a couple large, fur-less areas behind the ears.

Hours after I got home to thoroughly examine my new guinea pigs, I noticed the very large bare area in the back of (and wrapping slightly around the front) of my soft white pig's ears and dashed off a note to the breeder asking if I "needed to continue treatment" for whatever was the problem. She assured me they were supposed to be that way; it is genetic and they provide a good place to kiss a cavy. I have since taken her advice. It appears that as long as the skin seems healthy, this is just the way they are.

Andrew posted a description of these bald areas:

    "These Bald spots are referred to as "the hairless areas" (Curtis sine pilis) and are usually about 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. As a rule, no hairs grow in this region, however, sometimes a few scattered hairs may be present. The hairless area is larger in albino pigs and in colored animals the skin is usually more darkly pigmented than the remaining skin. The area not only lacks hair, but is also free of sweat and sebaceous glands." (Reprinted from "Anatomy of a Guinea Pig, Cooper & Schiller 1975)

SHEDDING

Long haired guinea pigs tend to shed more than short haired ones. While this may be normal and some guinea pigs seem to shed excessively, it is important to note that shedding may be one of the early signs of a parasite or fungal infection. Watch for general thinning of the coat, excessive scratching, sores, dandruff (more visible in darker colored guinea pigs) or other indications your pig may need treatment.

Daily brushing with a metal greyhound comb will help remove some of the loose hair and lessen shedding.

BARBERING

Although they may have all the hay they want, no lack of nutrients, and ample space to move about, some guinea pigs are bound and determined to chew on the hair of their cage mates. Apart from isolating the industrious guinea pig, there is little that can be done to effectively curb this behavior. Application of "bitter apple" is claimed by some to work, but others just accept having a "designer pig" or provide private living quarters for the offender. If you are not showing your cavies, this should not be a very serious concern.

Other pigs (like the two pictured here) barber themselves. Evangeline's black and white cavy would have hair 3 to 4 inches long if it weren't for her tendency to trim her hair shorter.

Pinta's cavy, Abigail, continually barbers her legs. It seems to be a neurotic habit.

Answer 2

My mouse, like many rodents did, had a obsessive case where he constantly pulled out patches of fur. It wasnt healthy for him. We would find fur in his case and it got so bad he bled. My vet said it was actually very common for mice and similar animals- we had to give him shots weekly or something like that. But eventually, he passed... might be better if you diagnose it early, if that's what your pet has. Take it to the vet.

Answer 3

Star is right. However, she/he should have posted the link since that is copywrited material. Here is the link:

http://www.guinealynx.info/hairloss.html

Answer 4

he might be shedding.then he will grow new hair.

Answer 5

could be scurvey get medical help