Alopecia piggy health update

[Dews1]

I posted at the start of this year when my long haired pig started getting progressively bald, she had been over grooming and after an ultrasound (and the mention of Cushings which is super rare) the vet just decided it must be a habit that's hard to break, and expected it would be a long term problem.

Well, the baldness has spread to I would say 90% of her body now, even her forehead is getting bald and is sadly spreading down her face very slowly (so it's not a habit as she can't reach there!) she still has a fuzzy face (for now) and her rear end is still modestly covered, but her entire torso is hairless! I'll attach a photo.

I brought her back to the vet for another ultrasound and it has shown she has multiple abnormalities whereas back in February the only thing it showed was an enlarged adrenal gland.
This time she has free fluid around her kidneys, cystic ovaries (which the vet didn't seem concerned about), a thickened uterus, an abnormal looking spleen, a still enlarged adrenal gland, and a mass that the vet was thinking is probably just a benign fatty lump as it is not attached to any organs. Her bladder is very normal and healthy looking!
She thinks it could very well be Cushings as although it is a rare diagnosis, she says many guinea pigs wouldn't be officially diagnosed with it as it isn't well understood in guinea pigs. She doesn't want to do a blood test or any surgery as Chino isn't in the best condition. She's very slowly and steadily losing weight (currently around 850g, she was around 980 when she began losing hair last year). So we will never know!

Ill attach the pic of the ultrasound findings. I wonder if anyone can make sense of them? And what might cause a pig to develop a lot of issues like this over one year? She's not in pain and she's still acting like herself, moving around and eating as she normally does. The vet just said to monitor for signs of decline in quality of life.

I'm not asking for any particular help as much as I'm just posting to see if anyone can relate to this strange scenario or has any knowledge or experience to share.

 

[Wiebke]

I posted at the start of this year when my long haired pig started getting progressively bald, she had been over grooming and after an ultrasound (and the mention of Cushings which is super rare) the vet just decided it must be a habit that's hard to break, and expected it would be a long term problem.

Well, the baldness has spread to I would say 90% of her body now, even her forehead is getting bald and is sadly spreading down her face very slowly (so it's not a habit as she can't reach there!) she still has a fuzzy face (for now) and her rear end is still modestly covered, but her entire torso is hairless! I'll attach a photo.

I brought her back to the vet for another ultrasound and it has shown she has multiple abnormalities whereas back in February the only thing it showed was an enlarged adrenal gland.
This time she has free fluid around her kidneys, cystic ovaries (which the vet didn't seem concerned about), a thickened uterus, an abnormal looking spleen, a still enlarged adrenal gland, and a mass that the vet was thinking is probably just a benign fatty lump as it is not attached to any organs. Her bladder is very normal and healthy looking!
She thinks it could very well be Cushings as although it is a rare diagnosis, she says many guinea pigs wouldn't be officially diagnosed with it as it isn't well understood in guinea pigs. She doesn't want to do a blood test or any surgery as Chino isn't in the best condition. She's very slowly and steadily losing weight (currently around 850g, she was around 980 when she began losing hair last year). So we will never know!

Ill attach the pic of the ultrasound findings. I wonder if anyone can make sense of them? And what might cause a pig to develop a lot of issues like this over one year? She's not in pain and she's still acting like herself, moving around and eating as she normally does. The vet just said to monitor for signs of decline in quality of life.

I'm not asking for any particular help as much as I'm just posting to see if anyone can relate to this strange scenario or has any knowledge or experience to share.

HUGS

I am very sorry. That is a lot going on in her little body and it is going to be very difficult to pin her weight loss down. Cystic ovaries can be a contributor but the pattern is certainly not typical.
Medication for metabolic organs in guinea pigs is sadly not an area where there is much experience around yet.

We have seen perhaps 10 cases of Cushing's on here and that was usually in the end stage with fast loss of weight and irregular hair loss which was when we suggested it as a possible issue for the vet to consider. That means there is not even a suspected case every year in comparison to all the things we are contacted over.

Please start with topping her up; you can find more information about in the feeding support chapter:
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

 

[Merab]

Just want to assure you of my support

 

[Freela]

((HUGS.)) Unfortunately metabolic disorders are not all that well-understood or well-researched in guinea pigs. The fact that she has hair loss, slow wasting, and an enlarged adrenal glad does suggest Cushings, but it's probably going to be hard to do a definite diagnosis and there probably wouldn't be a ton of benefit to getting it, just stress putting a sick pig through blood work. Cushings could cause the other issues- when one hormonal systems gets erratic there can be a corresponding effect on the other body systems over time.

 

[Dews1]

((HUGS.)) Unfortunately metabolic disorders are not all that well-understood or well-researched in guinea pigs. The fact that she has hair loss, slow wasting, and an enlarged adrenal glad does suggest Cushings, but it's probably going to be hard to do a definite diagnosis and there probably wouldn't be a ton of benefit to getting it, just stress putting a sick pig through blood work. Cushings could cause the other issues- when one hormonal systems gets erratic there can be a corresponding effect on the other body systems over time.

Thanks for the support :-)
I didn't really believe it was Cushings when I first posted here last year as she didn't have other symptoms and she wasn't in a bad way (other Cushings pigs didn't last very long after diagnosis). But now I'm starting to believe it is. My vet thinks it is most likely Cushings as the adrenal gland is enlarged and she's looking unlike any other pig she's seen- the hair loss is almost total. The vet also noticed that her skin is thin (which can happen due to hormonal issues) , so that was one of the reasons she didn't recommend any surgery due to slow healing - more just keeping an eye on her quality of life and comfort. The good thing is that neither me nor my vet believe she's in any pain.

Like I told the vet, if she was still fluffy I wouldn't have any reason to believe she was ill.

 

[weepweeps]

Bless her. I hope she has many more happy days, weeks, months with you.

 

[flowerfairy]

I hope she remains comfortable and lively for as long as possible.

 

[Dews1]

After posting 2 weeks ago about my other piggy and mentioning that Chino is still doing fine, she's taking a bit of a turn for the worse.
Now she's 755g and she was 820g just 11 days ago. (Throughout 2025 she steadily lost weight between 900g and 830g) She's still quite willingly eating her veggies and some hay but her appetite is reduced. (she's never been a big foodie anyway, has always taken her time with her veggies). I've tried to syringe feed her but she's really not into it and she doesn't like rolled oats (which were always my backup source of calories for my previous terminally ill piggy who loved oats). There's a change in her stool and she's also had a little bit of pink blood/discharge which I am almost certain is coming from her abnormal uterus/ovaries (as it's definitely not in her wee or poo). I'm unsure if she is in pain but I have some metacam (from her buddy's recent hay poke treatment). I feel like force feeding her would be stressful and futile as her metabolism is affected by her illness.
I've been preparing mentally for her decline since it became clear that she actually does have Cushing's and my vet explained that the only road we can go down for her is eventual palliative care. Now I'm at a stage where I can't deny that she's not going to get better. She's starting to look skinny and she spends most of her time underneath a fleece blanket (but I bought a heated mousemat to go under part of her cage to give them some underfloor heating so I know she's not struggling to keep warm).

I don't really know what I want to gain from this update, just sharing as I have previously. Ive just read the page on here about terminal illness and PTS and the gray area between too soon and too late, and that grey area feels like it's coming soon.

 

[Roselina]

I’m sad to read your post.
You have given her the best life and her best days ….all she could ever want
Only you will know what is best for her
Sending love to you both
Keep posting as people here will want to support you and offer advice and love

 

[Wiebke]

After posting 2 weeks ago about my other piggy and mentioning that Chino is still doing fine, she's taking a bit of a turn for the worse.
Now she's 755g and she was 820g just 11 days ago. (Throughout 2025 she steadily lost weight between 900g and 830g) She's still quite willingly eating her veggies and some hay but her appetite is reduced. (she's never been a big foodie anyway, has always taken her time with her veggies). I've tried to syringe feed her but she's really not into it and she doesn't like rolled oats (which were always my backup source of calories for my previous terminally ill piggy who loved oats). There's a change in her stool and she's also had a little bit of pink blood/discharge which I am almost certain is coming from her abnormal uterus/ovaries (as it's definitely not in her wee or poo). I'm unsure if she is in pain but I have some metacam (from her buddy's recent hay poke treatment). I feel like force feeding her would be stressful and futile as her metabolism is affected by her illness.
I've been preparing mentally for her decline since it became clear that she actually does have Cushing's and my vet explained that the only road we can go down for her is eventual palliative care. Now I'm at a stage where I can't deny that she's not going to get better. She's starting to look skinny and she spends most of her time underneath a fleece blanket (but I bought a heated mousemat to go under part of her cage to give them some underfloor heating so I know she's not struggling to keep warm).

I don't really know what I want to gain from this update, just sharing as I have previously. Ive just read the page on here about terminal illness and PTS and the gray area between too soon and too late, and that grey area feels like it's coming soon.

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. It is ever so gutting when you have to realise that time is running out for a beloved one. Your grieving process has just woken up again and hit you fully in the face, which is upsetting you.

Being able to have a place where you can actually talk about it and about your feelings and be taken seriously can help. Many of us longer term owners have had to support their own piggies with a slow decline, so we fully understand what you are going through and can be there for you to give you moral support and a safe place to vent.
Our own feelings are not any less deep and strong because piggies are small animals; every bond - irrespective of the species - is unique. Losing it and bearing the full responsibility for when to call it shots is never less daunting or less painful.

Try to focus on her comfort and on being there for her - you are doing right in that respect.
Is she on pain meds?

Please try to take consolation that you have had more time with her than anybody on here with a Cushings diagnosis. I hope that you have been able to create some happy memories during the last few weeks.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[Merab]

So sorry to read this.
You will know in your heart when the time is right to let her go because you love her so much.
Holding you in my heart

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. It’s a very difficult time. Sending you hugs. I hope she has some happy days ahead with the pain relief.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry. Times like these are incredibly hard. Sending hugs!

 

[Dews1]

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. It is ever so gutting when you have to realise that time is running out for a beloved one. Your grieving process has just woken up again and hit you fully in the face, which is upsetting you.

Being able to have a place where you can actually talk about it and about your feelings and be taken seriously can help. Many of us longer term owners have had to support their own piggies with a slow decline, so we fully understand what you are going through and can be there for you to give you moral support and a safe place to vent.
Our own feelings are not any less deep and strong because piggies are small animals; every bond - irrespective of the species - is unique. Losing it and bearing the full responsibility for when to call it shots is never less daunting or less painful.

Try to focus on her comfort and on being there for her - you are doing right in that respect.
Is she on pain meds?

Please try to take consolation that you have had more time with her than anybody on here with a Cushings diagnosis. I hope that you have been able to create some happy memories during the last few weeks.

My thoughts are with you.

I haven't given it to her today yet but I will be doing (when I get home from work!) . It's the small 0.5mg/ml bottle, I'll have to look up what dose she should actually be on as I had a different strength bottle for her previously - I just gave 0.25ml at her last dose as that's what Treacle was prescribed for her eye.
At the moment she's not at the point where she's hunching with sunken eyes. But I also know they're good at hiding their pain so she may feel worse than she looks. It's hard to tell currently.

Thanks for the virtual hugs and support

 

[Wiebke]

I haven't given it to her today yet but I will be doing (when I get home from work!) . It's the small 0.5mg/ml bottle, I'll have to look up what dose she should actually be on as I had a different strength bottle for her previously - I just gave 0.25ml at her last dose as that's what Treacle was prescribed for her eye.
At the moment she's not at the point where she's hunching with sunken eyes. But I also know they're good at hiding their pain so she may feel worse than she looks. It's hard to tell currently.

Thanks for the virtual hugs and support

Have you offered her feeding support and water; just as much or as little as she wants to? Just letting her take the lead and then making the decision. Sunken eyes are sign of extreme dehydration or pain from an injury.

 

[Dews1]

Have you offered her feeding support and water; just as much or as little as she wants to? Just letting her take the lead and then making the decision. Sunken eyes are sign of extreme dehydration or pain from an injury.

A

I got home with some parsley, dill, and strawberry and she gobbled it all up with energy! She's still popping weird (very mushy) but her appetite is returning this evening. I took her back home and she also ate some hay. She didn't lose any more weight since yesterday (in fact she's about 10g more). Maybe she has more time with us than I thought, I'll keep an eye on her eating.

 

[Wiebke]

A

I got home with some parsley, dill, and strawberry and she gobbled it all up with energy! She's still popping weird (very mushy) but her appetite is returning this evening. I took her back home and she also ate some hay. She didn't lose any more weight since yesterday (in fact she's about 10g more). Maybe she has more time with us than I thought, I'll keep an eye on her eating.

You have to take it day by day.

The mushy poos are a reflection of her not eating much hay in the past days or of some pain.

Just treasure the remaining time as much as you can and fill it with love.

 

[Dews1]

Chino passed away peacefully by my side in the early hours of February 14th.

She had continued to steadily lose weight despite always being up for eating food thankfully (her lowest weight 620g on the 12th) and when I took her for her nightly foot bath on the 13th (as she was still having soft poops + messy feet) she felt as if she was finding it hard to keep her head up. When i dried her she attempted to eat her favourite food (very slowly) but she felt chilly and I knew then that she didn't have very long with us, so I gave her the last dose of metacam, wrapped her up warm on my chest with my heated blanket and she fell asleep. A couple of hours later she stopped breathing, still lay with me. The most peaceful way to go.

I've never had a pet pass away while I've been there - I've found piggies already gone and I've taken them to be PTS but never actually been there in the final moments. It felt like a privilege but it also was absolutely heart wrenching and I'm in bits. I keep playing it over in my head. Treacle is okay (still eating and energetic) but you can tell she's also upset - she chirped this morning and she only ever chirped before when she first came home with me (and I assumed then it was because she had been through the adjustment of a new home). So I know she's missing her friend. I can't get another guinea pig as I really can't deal with the illness and the grief every few years in a cycle like I have been. But I know treacle might not be happy as a lone pig so I have to consider what's best for her, I know this. I'm going to find out about if there's any fostering availability in my area so she can have a friend.

 

[Merab]

I am so very sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Holding you in my heart

Try reaching out to a rescue as some of them are prepared to offer fostering under these circumstances.
If you’re in the UK there is a rescue list on the top of the forum.

 

[DavRz]

So sorry for the loss of sweet Chino..Wishing you and Treacle the best.

 

[flowerfairy]

So sorry for your loss.

What a really beautiful way to go all warm and cuddled up on your chest. RIP Chino.

 

[Roselina]

I’m sad to read this
You did everything you could for Chino …she was living her best life with you and Treacle
It was a lovely way for Chino to go …that will give you comfort
Popcorn freely at RB sweet Chino

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry! Sleep tight sweet Chino!

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. Popcorn high over the bridge Chino

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that you have lost your precious and much loved girl.

The first passing you are attending - even if it is as gentle as can be - is something else because it is so immediate. It can be deeply touching and ever so tender indeed but then it burns down right into your soul when you start to comprehend the sheer enormity, physicality and reality of your loss.

Please give yourself time to take it all in. You have not failed Chino in any way and in fact have allowed her to make her journey carried by the wings of your love. Hold onto that while you process it all - both the peace and tenderness but also heartbreak of it.

If it is any consolation to you, having had that experience and coming to grips with it may be a great bolster for you to fall back on when you are faced with being with a dying relative at some point later in your life.

We are here for you to give you our ongoing community support during your grieving process and all the questions and all the emotional twists and turns. Grieving is always different and never what you expect. It can take you to some very unexpected and strange places. Give yourself time and space to not be OK for a while you start digesting it all.