Bald patches

[Honeyandhazel]

Hi.. after i found out one of my piggy’s leg was nothing to worry about I have now come across these bald patches on both of my pets. They are on both guinea pigs in the same area. Could this be anything serious? And do I have to see a vet?
- I think one has balding under her chin but I could just be looking too closely and one of them has bald patches at either side one side having a scab on it

 

[Lady Kelly]

I don't see the bald patch under the chin from that photo. However there are clear bald patches on the side. I would get to a vet within normal opening hours to have them checked for fungal infection (the most common is ringworm). Fungal is infectious and humans can contract it too so hygiene is very important. The good news is that once treatment is obtained it can be quick to get on top of

 

[Honeyandhazel]

I don't see the bald patch under the chin from that photo. However there are clear bald patches on the side. I would get to a vet within normal opening hours to have them checked for fungal infection (the most common is ringworm). Fungal is infectious and humans can contract it too so hygiene is very important. The good news is that once treatment is obtained it can be quick to get on top of

Omg I didn’t know humans can catch it! At least it’s treatable, defo going to make a trip to the vet. One of my friends said maybe their nails are too long so they’ve cut themselves or they’re fighting. I cut their nails but never short because I’m afraid of cutting them
Thanks for the help, il get them treated asap

 

[Lady Kelly]

Omg I didn’t know humans can catch it! At least it’s treatable, defo going to make a trip to the vet. One of my friends said maybe their nails are too long so they’ve cut themselves or they’re fighting. I cut their nails but never short because I’m afraid of cutting them
Thanks for the help, il get them treated asap

If it is fungal it is likely from scratching themselves as it's an itchy condition. They won't normally scratch themselves that badly if they don't have a condition like fungal or mites even if they have long nails (I adopted one with very overgrown nails just over a year ago and she never injured herself). Hope it goes away quickly for you and for them

 

[Honeyandhazel]

If it is fungal it is likely from scratching themselves as it's an itchy condition. They won't normally scratch themselves that badly if they don't have a condition like fungal or mites even if they have long nails (I adopted one with very overgrown nails just over a year ago and she never injured herself). Hope it goes away quickly for you and for them

They do itch quite a lot but I just assumed it was normal as they have done that for quite a while but these bald bits have only appeared recently I’m sure

 

[Wiebke]

Hi.. after i found out one of my piggy’s leg was nothing to worry about I have now come across these bald patches on both of my pets. They are on both guinea pigs in the same area. Could this be anything serious? And do I have to see a vet?
- I think one has balding under her chin but I could just be looking too closely and one of them has bald patches at either side one side having a scab on it

Please see a vet for ringworm during regular opening hours and follow our ringworm hygiene tips for home care to make sure that you prevent transmission and re-infection. After a decade we have worked out about every possible angle of transmission and have found a way to address it; that is why it is worth following the advice and getting on top of it once and for all.
Do not accept just anti-fungal cream as treatment; it does not reach the full infected area that still has got hairs and does not prevent any spores from spreading and causing more infected patches that have to run their own due course. if you can, please ask your vet for a prescription-only oral medication as the least stressful and most effective way to treat. A round of fungicidal dips or shampoos is the next best alternative.

Ringworm is the single most common transmittable problem between humans and other pet species. Ringworm spores are invisibly tiny and very long lived; which is why so many shops (and for sale breeders) struggle.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (including tips on how to reclaim vet cost in newly bought guinea pigs)
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures (although includes advice on human prevention and care)

 

[Honeyandhazel]

Please see a vet for ringworm during regular opening hours and follow our ringworm hygiene tips for home care to make sure that you prevent transmission and re-infection. After a decade we have worked out about every possible angle of transmission and have found a way to address it; that is why it is worth following the advice and getting on top of it once and for all.
Do not accept just anti-fungal cream as treatment; it does not reach the full infected area that still has got hairs and does not prevent any spores from spreading and causing more infected patches that have to run their own due course. if you can, please ask your vet for a prescription-only oral medication as the least stressful and most effective way to treat. A round of fungicidal dips or shampoos is the next best alternative.

Ringworm is the single most common transmittable problem between humans and other pet species. Ringworm spores are invisibly tiny and very long lived; which is why so many shops (and for sale breeders) struggle.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (including tips on how to reclaim vet cost in newly bought guinea pigs)
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures (although includes advice on human prevention and care)

Thanks for the help I did take my pets to the vet they got an appointment the week later but I was told to make it an emergency if needed, the vet seen nothing wrong with them and just over grooming she said the hairs now have started to grow back glad they were healthy!