Ali, a ten year old female boxer who had started limping on. Many many cases of hairless guinea pigs come to the sanctuary where mites and fungal are a problem. If your guinea pig has bald spots, then this could be due to mange mites or a. Dear all, my guinea pig has bald patches on both her back legs picture enclosed. It is extremely painful, and causes the guinea pig to scratch and bite at its skin. Harkness and wagner describe the lesions as oviod, hairless, scaling sore spots with crusts or scabs over raised areas. Although the mites will clear up and hair will start growing back after the. The sooner the cause is diagnosed, the sooner the cat can be feeling better and growing back. If the bald spot is limited to the area hidden when the rabbit tucks her head back toward her shoulders. 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. Hair loss bald patches your guinea pigs home metric.
Young guinea pigs have hair that thins out when they wean as their hair changes from infant fur to adult fur. Sep 15, 2015 those bald patches and spots could signal the start of something serious. 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. Also, female guinea pigs are prone to the infections after giving a birth because the cervix is open. Disorders and diseases of guinea pigs all other pets. Sometimes her back legs and tummy are almost completely bald, then.
My boyfriend said that when we adopted them, he was pretty sure he had it. Mar 02, 2020 healthy guinea pigs run around on all fours. Cats can lose fur on their hind legs due to a variety of issues. Ringworm commonly starts around the head area, unlike mites, which often presents as a v shape on the back. My guinea pig has bald patches too, so i am also trying to determine what it is. If you suspect that your guinea pig is foot sore, take him to the vet right away. 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. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin c, and symptoms include the cessation of growth in young guinea pigs, joint swelling, and a stiffness of joints to the extent that they cant use their back legs independently and hop around in a rabbitlike fashion. Guinea pig hair loss how to identify and treat fungal and. May 01, 2011 my guinea pig is developing a bald spot by his hind leg. Guinea pig behaviour all about guinea pigs guinea pig manual. One very common reason that hair loss, of alopecia, that occurs in guinea pigs is a mite known as.
Hair loss in guinea pigs guinea lynx a medical and care. 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. Cure guinea pig and cavies skin disease caused by mites treatment is safe and inexpensive. 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. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and. Find the answer to this and other vet questions on justanswer. Hind legs get red and swollen and very often there is a noticeable hair loss on them. Smear on bag balm or vet balm or pet balm symptoms. Alopecia hair loss and pruritus itchiness can be caused by mites, allergic. 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. 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. Jan 26, 2020 natural symptom of aging sometimes guinea pig hair loss is just a natural part of aging.
Hair loss in dogs is called alopecia and it may be the result of a medical condition or simply heredity. She has been eating, running on her wheel, and climbing. Any loss of hair in guinea pigs that isnt behind the ears should be investigated. 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. Just got guinea pig and i recently noticed on her back by her hind legs there.
I first noticed this on the 9th feb but i only noticed the scab at the top in the middle of his back, which is now a bald patch, i thought since the scab came off without me peeling it off, whatever it was was healing already. 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. Guinea pig fungal infection treatment ezinearticles. Aug 15, 2011 however, my guinea pigs have bald patches behind their ears which is genetic, it is completely hairless and quite normal, though ive never heard of it being anywhere else on the body in this case. A guinea pig can acquire ringworm infection from another guinea pig or from contaminated objects such as bedding. Once youve got a good idea of the general condition of your guinea pigs hair, then. 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. The most common symptoms include blood in urine and pus between the back legs. The vet will probably prescribe an antifungal medication to be administered over the course of 56 weeks, and possibly a topical cream to treat bald patches. The itching from lice or fleas causes them to scratch and then their fur comes out leaving bald patches. 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.
An exception is that sometimes guinea pigs may have a bald patch on their behind, caused by the substance they use to mark their territory. Question my guinea pig is losing fur on his hind legs, he has bald 1t. In guinea pigs, the tufts of hair may be stuck together by a crust of. There are no hairs on that area at all, and its about the size of a. Signs your guinea pig is angry or unhappy with you or other guinea pigs and guinea pig sound examples. Here are the most common causes of balding in guinea pigs and treatments. Fur loss can also be a symptom of a skin infection or skin allergy, mites, mange, diet deficiency or thyroid problems. My dwarf hamster has a rather large bald spot above her left front leg. Barbering, or chewing on the hair, is sometimes seen when rabbits are housed together or with guinea pigs. Affected skin will get thick, yellowish, and crusty, with hair loss and secondary bacterial skin infection. Shes licked the back legs to a point where theyre red blood bruised. But, if the hair loss is excessive it might be because of the changes in the temperature, so your piggy is adjusting its coat.
One may notice this behavior while holding and cuddling the pet for some time. One of our guinea pigs has a bald patch on her back. You can usually see them scratching quite often if this is the case. A few months ago i took her to the vet and the vet said she was healthy. There are five very common diseases in guinea pigs.
The flaky bald patches on your guinea pig can also be caused by dryness in the air. The first sign of an infection is bald patches on the pigs skin. 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. Illness may break out if triggered by negative factors such as insufficient feeding, incorrect keeping or stress caused by the presence of too many other guinea pigs. It may also be exhibited by females that are under stress. They just say that its probably from when the pigs groom and rub their faces with their paws, eventually the hair is supposed. Jan 20, 2011 hi everyone, my 3 year old female guinea pig, ellie, has two bald patches. There may be multiple sites, on the back and limbs, especially in warm weather. Many owners assume that guinea pigs lose their hair as they get older, but this isnt true.
The most likely explanation is a parasite called mange mite. Try to notice if you have seen your guinea pig doing this in the area of the bald spot, to see if that might be the cause. Guinea pig health and wellness guide all guinea pig. Guinea lynx talks a bit about it their hairloss section, could be worth a look its under mechanical hairloss and just says that guinea pigs usually have bald spots inside their front legs, perhaps as a result of grooming. Guinea pigs have four long teeth at the front that might occasionally become broken, and the molars at the back can sometimes become overgrown. Fungus can cause bald patches, scaly skin, and hair loss. Ive pet her there before and its not itchy and she doesnt scratch there much so i can conclude she does not have mites.
Baby guinea pigs will occasionally loose the hair from their noses when nursing. When my sisters recently gave me a guinea pig, millie, she had a bald spot on her back but no other bald spots. Why does my guinea pig have a bald spot on her back. Guinea pig hair loss how to identify and treat fungal. My guinea pig is losing fur on his hind legs, he has bald. American guinea pigs are the oldest guinea pig breeds, dating as far back as 5000 b.
A fungal infection in guinea pigs, also often called ringworm, is one of the most common health issues is cavies and generally occurs in hot and humid climate namely, summer. Since then ellie has thinned out a bit, but still has a voracious appetite. 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. Some guinea pigs can be carriers, without showing symptoms themselves. May 24, 2010 one of our guinea pigs has a bald patch on her back. Mange mange is caused by the trixacarus caviae mite. Guinea pigs have naturally bald patches on two areas of the body that owners may not be aware of and, as a result, become worried about. Bald patches on the front legs the guinea pig forum. Mar 11, 2008 mites is a frequent cause of hair loss in rabbits. 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.
Her companion had died shortly before so i think it was str. Their hind legs become red and swollen on the bottoms, and they lose some of their hair. A guinea pigs color has nothing to do with its life, except for if it is getting bald patches or patches of color that werent there before. If your guinea pig has hair loss and is itching or scratching a lot, it may have lice or mites. If treating for parasites doesnt resolve your guinea pigs discomfort, there may be other issues at play.
Patches may first appear on the face around the eyes, nose and ears, and from there the infection can spread to the back. Hair loss on the rabbits backside and back legs can be caused by urine scald, wet bedding, poor hygienic conditions. Guinea pig stands on its hind legs and cleans itself with its front legs. Guinea pigs their most common illnesses publications. Aug 04, 2009 she lives with another guinea pig who doesnt have one. The most common reason for hair loss is when a guinea pig is infected with parasites.
Asked in guinea pigs are guinea pigs bald when born. Its usually the face, head and ears that are affected, but infection may also spread to the back and legs. There are some short hairs and some flakey yellow skin when you scratch at it. How to check your guinea pigs hair guinea pig illnesses. Id highly recommend this breed if you plan to get a cavy for small children. Nov 04, 2014 many many cases of hairless guinea pigs come to the sanctuary where mites and fungal are a problem. Apr 01, 2010 the guinea pig herd has had an outbreak of fur mites. Constant sitting and walking on the wire irritates the animals hocks. 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 faces and eventually failing to regrow.
Guinea pig s hair loss can also be caused by guinea pigs. 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. My guinea pig is developing a bald spot by his hind leg. She lives with another guinea pig who doesnt have one. 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. What i do think though is that they are suffering from what is called grooming, where a guinea pig becomes bored and starts to pluck hairs from. Pyometra is an infection of uterus and is caused by the hormonal changes in the sows reproductive system. All incontact guinea pigs must be simultaneously treated to prevent reinfection. If the problem is bad enough, the guinea pig may not want to move around because of the pain. My guinea pig has small balding patch on her back and its been there for probably two weeks now.
The revolution was a liquid that was dabbed behind the ears on the bald patch. 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. The most common reason for hair loss in guinea pigs is usually mites. If your guinea pig lives in a cage with a wire base to it, then very often this leads to sore feet and hocks. She is 56 years old, so i wondered if this was normal for older guinea pigs. Jul 22, 2010 ringworm infection is a common infection in guinea pigs is.
Fur bald spot on leg guinea pig cages, care, photos. 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. Sore hocks, red swollen skin, and hair loss on the guinea pig s hind legs are usually seen in pigs kept in wire cages. The bald patches are on her stomach and bum and look kind of stubbly.
The sooner the cause is diagnosed, the sooner the cat can be feeling better and growing back their coats. Here is a link to where you can expect bald patches on a piggys body. Guinea pigs should have smooth, steady breathing and their eyes and ears should be clear, bright, and free of discharge. If you notice your guinea pig has some bald spots, you might become alarmed. How to deal with common problems in guinea pigs pets4homes. One of the most common and easily curable health issues in guinea pigs is the. The first step in treatment is finding out the underlying cause of the hair loss, if you notice your cat is losing hair, take your cat to your veterinarian for an exam.
Both bald patches are identical to each other and the skin is not itchy, dry or sensitive. You need to get a guinea pig with sore feet to the vet as soon as you can, so that an antibiotic ointment can be applied to their legs. Hair loss in guinea pigs guinea lynx a medical and. There are many reasons for hair loss to occur in guinea pigs.
These mites cause such itchiness that your guinea pig may. Guinea pigs usually have bald spots inside the front legs see photo at right, perhaps. The ringworm infection is characterized by bald patches that commonly start at the head. You have probably heard of people losing their hair and going bald, but did you know that it can happen to dogs as well. Cleaning grooming itself this is a behavior one could not miss. If left untreated, hair loss can become severe, and the constant scratching can lead to. Any hair loss in an older guinea pig should be investigated. My baby guinea pig is unable to walk on his back 2 legs im a new owner of a.
When i gently pushed the hair back, i was shocked to see that he has a large bald spot under his fur, about an inch or so. 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. How to identify and treat fungal and mite mange guinea pig stuff. Guinea pig is stretching and yawning just after a sleep or when it is feeling happy and relaxed. Sore hocks, red swollen skin, and hair loss on the guinea pigs hind legs are usually seen in pigs kept in wire cages. Affected areas can become inflamed and more severely infected. 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. When your guinea pig is getting older loss of hair is a sign of aging. Guinea pigs can develop sore hocks from living on a wireonly cage bottom. The american cavy originated from the andes of western south american.
Be wary of sluggish guinea pigs, especially those with flaky skin and bald patches. While they are usually healthy animals, there are a number of diseases that commonly affect pet guinea pigs. However, if the shedding is combined with itching and leaves bald patches your guinea pig probably has mites. The next day, he was back to his sweet and loving self instead of the irritable guy he had. What to do if your cat is losing hair on its hind legs. He has no rash on his skin and the area is not sensative. In the past, my guinea pig had fungus, so i had to give it baths weekly using guinea pig shampoo. This is normal, especially in boars, but if it looks a bit sore then there might be another underlying problem.
To treat ringworm in guinea pigs, start by taking your guinea pig to the vet for evaluation and treatment options. Common illnesses guinea pig illnesses guinea pigs guide. Fur loss can also occur in older hamsters usually around one year of age or over and usually occurs on the belly, hind legs and hip areas first. Offering a guinea pig a cage with solid flooring can prevent this. She is 6 years old and has had these patches for more than a year. 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. I noticed she has been scratching the area a lot more than usual and will scratch her right side as well although that side has no balding. If the hair is thin beyond this spot, it is a good idea to have your veterinarian do an examination. Guinea pig stands on its hind legs and cleans itself with its front legs licking its fur. Sep 30, 20 ali, a ten year old female boxer who had started limping on her left hind leg september 30, 20 case studies, dogs, older pets petethevet lameness is very common in pet dogs, and it is much more common in some breeds. My guinea pig has patches of fur missing on his arm and on one of. Cure guinea pig and cavies skin disease caused by mites. The bald spots on the legs are from regular cleaning and tend to be a bit more pronounced on older guinea pigs who have done a lot of it. This post explains how they were diagnosed, the treatment for guinea pig mites, and photos of the ordeal.
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