Bald spots on my guinea pig’s back legs!

[Ellie_2470]

I have noticed that my guinea pig has 2 bald spots on both back legs. If I touch them she doesn’t notice so I’m guessing they aren’t causing her any pain. She is 3 years old and is turning 4 in October. She is still eating perfectly fine and is still her self. I’m just quite concerned about these bald spots as I have no clue what they are. Could this be barbering? I know that they do this because of pain or stress. My guinea pig lost her sister just over a year ago but these bald spots have only been here for about a week. Unfortunately, I can’t get another guinea pig to occupy her. Please help if you know what this could be.

I have noticed that my guinea pig has 2 bald spots on both back legs. If I touch them she doesn’t notice so I’m guessing they aren’t causing

 

[Wiebke]

I have noticed that my guinea pig has 2 bald spots on both back legs. If I touch them she doesn’t notice so I’m guessing they aren’t causing her any pain. She is 3 years old and is turning 4 in October. She is still eating perfectly fine and is still her self. I’m just quite concerned about these bald spots as I have no clue what they are. Could this be barbering? I know that they do this because of pain or stress. My guinea pig lost her sister just over a year ago but these bald spots have only been here for about a week. Unfortunately, I can’t get another guinea pig to occupy her. Please help if you know what this could be.

I have noticed that my guinea pig has 2 bald spots on both back legs. If I touch them she doesn’t notice so I’m guessing they aren’t causing

Hi and welcome

Can you please take a picture? We cannot comment due to lack of relevant information on exactly where those spots are located and their appearance as to whether it is mechanical abrasion, normal or something else.

 

[Ellie_2470]

I have pictures but I’m not sure how to upload them

 

[Siikibam]

Underneath the message box is a button ‘Attach files’. You can use that and choose a photo from your library.

May I ask why you can’t get your girl a friend? They really do need company of their own kind. No amount of human interaction can replace that I’m afraid.

 

[Wiebke]

I have pictures but I’m not sure how to upload them

Hi!

You can upload them via the attach files button underneath your new post, by the picture icon just above your post or by simply copying/paste across.

 

[Ellie_2470]

Here are the photos

 

[Ellie_2470]

I can’t get my piggy a friend because if I get a new one I’m going to have to keep replacing the guinea pigs every few years if any of them pass otherwise they will be lonely and I don’t want to keep having guinea pigs. I bought 2 guinea pigs in 2016 and sadly one passed away last year. But I bought 2 guinea pigs because I wanted a pet but I don’t want to keep getting guinea pigs. So I made a decision I would only buy 2 guinea pigs and that’s it. I’m not saying this in a rude way because I love guinea pigs but I don’t want to keep getting guinea pigs x

 

[Wiebke]

I can’t get my piggy a friend because if I get a new one I’m going to have to keep replacing the guinea pigs every few years if any of them pass otherwise they will be lonely and I don’t want to keep having guinea pigs. I bought 2 guinea pigs in 2016 and sadly one passed away last year. But I bought 2 guinea pigs because I wanted a pet but I don’t want to keep getting guinea pigs. So I made a decision I would only buy 2 guinea pigs and that’s it. I’m not saying this in a rude way because I love guinea pigs but I don’t want to keep getting guinea pigs x

It looks rather like mechanical abrasion or self-barbering to me; it may be worth having your girl vet checked for potential arthritis in her back legs or another underlying potential health issue.

I would recommend to contact East Peckham Guinea Pig Rescue. Many rescues now have schemes for companionship for the 'last standing piggy' of owners who do not want to continue but still care about their bereaved piggy where a companion reverts to the rescue after the death of your piggy.
3 years is just halfway through a normal average life span of 5-7 years; well kept piggies can live even longer - that is a long time having to live on their own.
The oldest ever bereaved piggy I took in from a long shifts working friend was 7 years old. Because of the company from one of my own bereaved sows (in fact, the little baby in my avatar), Calli lived to celebrate her 9th birthday. Baby Tegan passed shortly before her 8th birthday a year later.
Here is more about looking after single piggies in a range of situations and the particular challenges that they pose. It is a non-judgmental article that highlights the specific issues that come with single piggies. Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

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