Balding Legs

[Lady Kelly]

During the big hutch conversion this weekend, along with nail and spur trimming I have noticed that Bumble is balding on the insides of her two front legs. It is quite close to the paw and I do see her grooming a lot so it could be possible that she is doing this to herself. She is at least 5 years old now on best guess from the age the rescue gave me when I got her. She had ovarian cysts last year and had an emergency spay which she has recovered well from. The only other issue I have with her is an overactive grease gland which I attempt to clean often.

My question is... would this be seen as normal for her (no other signs of illness, no weight loss etc). Could it be as a result of the stress this week from Isobel and Jemima falling out and Isobel being hurt. She was separated from Isobel for two nights and I finally brought her in for a night in the small indoor cage while we converted the hutch into two living apartments as they were both looking very depressed without each other.

 

[VickiA]

I've seen balding like you've described in my own piggies in the past and always thought it was normal and due to grooming if there was no other hair loss.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Nah no other hair loss, she's as fluffy as always. I have always found her a bit odd in that when I am trying to clip her nails she will try to groom her front legs in that exact spot

 

[ayemee]

One of my girls Amber has more prominent bald marks on the inside of her front legs. When I first saw it I had a massive panic!

 

[Freela]

This is a normal place for hair loss- I think it's meant to be caused by grooming. Some pigs have more noticeable bald patches on their inner paws than others, but most (or even all) of them have it.

 

[helen105281]

It is a common place for over grooming, especially when stressed. One other thing to bear in mind is Cushings. I don't think it is that common but I know of a pig who was thought to have it and had bald legs.