Bald Patch Above Tail

[Ginnypig]

I was grooming my piggy today and noticed a small amount of matted fur above her tail stump. When touched this came away and left a small bald patch. She is a short hair and is kept indoors and cleaned out regulary. I havent noticed her scratching nor does she seem unwell. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Dindypig]

That would most likely be her grease gland. Google it for lots of pictures to be sure.

 

[Ginnypig]

That would most likely be her grease gland. Google it for lots of pictures to be sure.

So should that have the hair fall out like that?

 

[Wiebke]

It can happen. I agree that it is likely to be a very greasy gland that has pulled the hair stuck in the goo around it.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...inea-pigs-including-ears-grease-glands.47314/

 

[Ginnypig]

So nothing to worry about? She just needs bathing a bit more frequently? It doesnt look sore so is normal washing up liq ok for washing the grease gland as suggested? I use a piggy shampoo for the rest of her.

 

[Wiebke]

So nothing to worry about? She just needs bathing a bit more frequently? It doesnt look sore so is normal washing up liq ok for washing the grease gland as suggested? I use a piggy shampoo for the rest of her.

Yes. Just see how badly things are and treat accordingly. Sometimes, it is just a temporary overproduction, especially in sows.

 

[aimzer]

Does is feel greasy? One of my sows has a small bald patch just above the tail area so I assumed it was dirty grease gland and cleaned it but nothing changed. No dirt came off. It doesn't feel dirty or greasy and when I mentioned it to a vet he said it just looks like an area where her hair has thinned.

 

[Dindypig]

If the piggy doesn't produce much grease, a grease gland can be a clean bald spot. At the other end of the scale, an over productive grease gland can cover a 2 to 3cm area in grease and cause hair to fall out with the grease and create a bald spot which may become sore.

 

[Ginnypig]

Does is feel greasy? One of my sows has a small bald patch just above the tail area so I assumed it was dirty grease gland and cleaned it but nothing changed. No dirt came off. It doesn't feel dirty or greasy and when I mentioned it to a vet he said it just looks like an area where her hair has thinned.

It doesnt look greasy but the hair that came away was matted and guey. I will gjve her a bath more regulary and see how that goes. Thanks for your help everyone. I was really worried xx

If the piggy doesn't produce much grease, a grease gland can be a clean bald spot. At the other end of the scale, an over productive grease gland can cover a 2 to 3cm area in grease and cause hair to fall out with the grease and create a bald spot which may become sore.

i will keep an eye on it as it wasnt bald before. Thankyou for your help everyone. Glad its not mites :-)

 

[Freela]

It sounds like the grease gland was overly greasy and she's had fur clump together and break off as a result. Some pigs have more active grease glands than others (I have to wash Sundae's regularly, but could never even find it easily on any of my other pigs.) Hope this helps a bit!