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6 year old, very thin and a totally bald behind?

R

Roy Tonkin

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Hi, Sybil, who has had babies, has recently started to loose hair ( a totally bald bum!) , she isn’t scratching or in any pain, she’s eating, drinks a lot of water 2DDAB587-7B02-4D70-827C-2C07AE150AA1.webp44BE0C19-625F-42BC-A3DB-34CF472DD554.webp3D58D82E-505E-493E-9184-95FA1FFE7951.webpand none of her 4 other friends have this, so i’m sure it’s not mites. She’s old, so she’s slowed down, but seems happy? Has anyone else had these symptoms please? Roy
 
Ah what a pretty piggy :love:
Even an older pig shouldn’t be loosing her hair like that. I would be worried there is an underlying issue and get her along to the vets for a check up to be safe :nod:
 
What a gorgeous piggy. I would take her to the vet to find out what is causing the hair loss.
 
Please have your piggy seen by a vet asap. Weight loss and hair loss can be signs of something serious and it's imperitive she is seen, especially if she is nursing babies.
 
Flutterby said:
Please have your piggy seen by a vet asap. Weight loss and hair loss can be signs of something serious and it's imperitive she is seen, especially if she is nursing babies.
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Her babies were born when we got her, as practically a baby herself. Yes, I have an appointment this evening. Thank you!
 
Oh, I see, so she hasn’t had babies for many years? I still think she needs to see a vet.
 
VickiA said:
Oh, I see, so she hasn’t had babies for many years? I still think she needs to see a vet.
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So, I’m at the vets and he agreed with me that it’s not mange or mites, so he thinks put her on her own with another gentle pig, to see if it’s stress. I’m treating them for mites any way, just in case. Poor Sybil🙁
 
Betsy said:
Oh poor piggy!
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Betsy said:
Oh poor piggy!
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I will, she’s a feisty but friendly little pig , very independent, so she never has taken a leader of the pack, or wanted to be it either. I fully respect this little pig. Sadly, I don’t think she’s going to be with us for much longer though. Fingers crossed! 🤞
 
VickiA said:
Hopefully some time in a “retirement”cage with a quiet companion may help her. 6 is certainly a good age.
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I hope so, but she’s in a large pen with 4 other elder ladies, they all get on very well. We do have a rabbit who jumps up sometimes and steals their food. That may be stressful!
 
Please treat your sow/herd for ecto/endo-parasites (Lice/mites etc). Please also treat your sow for a fungal infection, and any secondary bacterial infection. Would also recommend a steroid injection. Unfortunately, your sow also appears to be underweight - Please weigh your sow daily, and be prepared to step in should your sow require hand feeding.
 
I am aware of the current opinion of the use of steroids, especially in small animals/guinea pigs. However, steroids do have their place in medicine/veterinary medicine. A steroid injection would treat any pruritis (itching), and would make Sybil more comfortable.
 
Roy Tonkin said:
She’s eating and drinking as usual. Thank you everyone!
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Guinea-pigGaga said:
Please treat your sow/herd for ecto/endo-parasites (Lice/mites etc). Please also treat your sow for a fungal infection, and any secondary bacterial infection. Would also recommend a steroid injection. Unfortunately, your sow also appears to be underweight - Please weigh your sow daily, and be prepared to step in should your sow require hand feeding.
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Hi, She has been treated for lice and mites, and the vet doesn’t think it’s fungal. Her hair mostly came out in one go when my daughter washed her by the way. She’s not itching or scratching.
 
i agree with the others in that try treating her for lice/mites is firstly, if she is stressed she may be susceptible to them & the others may not get them at all if they are younger, healthy & stress free - but looks like you have already treated that without success :(

has her hair loss got a symmetrical appearance? As in both sides thinning hair as well as her rump area going bald?

When you say she's 'independent' do you mean as in a hormonal woman type attitude? i'm just wondering if ovarian cysts could be a possibility?
My 6yr old Ellie had ovarian cysts discovered by a conscious ultrasound, she didn't have any of the text book symptoms of hormonal grumpyness, symmetrical hair loss, but she did have recurring UTI's &terrible bleeding when she pooped too. she had the HCG Chorulon injections which sorted her in a very short space of time - her coat went very soft & silky 24hrs after the injection & not coarse as it had been before. Although i hadn't noticed her be particularly grumpy, she did mellow & chill afterwards too :)
she had one bad bleed afterwards & never bled again, the cyst grew back 12months later, so she had another 2 injections & died of multiple issues at the age of 8yrs.
growing cysts are more painful than established ones, so if its painful she may be pulling her hair out as a pain reaction? can you discuss with the vet trialling some painkilling medications? maybe Metacam/loxicom - although if she's drinking lots she may have some kidney issues going on? see if your vet can give you any advice on that too?
i would only allow steroids as a very last resort on any of my guineas, trying all other options first.

Healing vibes for your pretty little girly :luv:
Speedy & full recovery, luv the girl & I.xx
 
GPTV said:
i agree with the others in that try treating her for lice/mites is firstly, if she is stressed she may be susceptible to them & the others may not get them at all if they are younger, healthy & stress free - but looks like you have already treated that without success :(

has her hair loss got a symmetrical appearance? As in both sides thinning hair as well as her rump area going bald?

When you say she's 'independent' do you mean as in a hormonal woman type attitude? i'm just wondering if ovarian cysts could be a possibility?
My 6yr old Ellie had ovarian cysts discovered by a conscious ultrasound, she didn't have any of the text book symptoms of hormonal grumpyness, symmetrical hair loss, but she did have recurring UTI's &terrible bleeding when she pooped too. she had the HCG Chorulon injections which sorted her in a very short space of time - her coat went very soft & silky 24hrs after the injection & not coarse as it had been before. Although i hadn't noticed her be particularly grumpy, she did mellow & chill afterwards too :)
she had one bad bleed afterwards & never bled again, the cyst grew back 12months later, so she had another 2 injections & died of multiple issues at the age of 8yrs.
growing cysts are more painful than established ones, so if its painful she may be pulling her hair out as a pain reaction? can you discuss with the vet trialling some painkilling medications? maybe Metacam/loxicom - although if she's drinking lots she may have some kidney issues going on? see if your vet can give you any advice on that too?
i would only allow steroids as a very last resort on any of my guineas, trying all other options first.

Healing vibes for your pretty little girly :luv:
Speedy & full recovery, luv the girl & I.xx
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Sybil died today. Thanks for all your thoughts. Maya had been petting her and making her feel loved.
Roy
 

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She made a great age and was obviously much loved. You gave her a wonderful life.
RIP little lady. ❤️❤️
 
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