Hey all! I'm in desperate need of some advice! My poor Wilma has a big bald patch on her backend, it appeared a day or so after she had given birth (accidental pregnancy which resulted in just one large stillborn boar). She is completely well in herself, eating and drinking, doesn't seem unhappy at all! I had treated her for mites just in case, and after taking her to the vet yesterday they had me treat her for mites again with their recommended mite treatment. The vet said he didn't believe it was a fungal infection, he believed it was ovarian cysts due to her crusty nipples and supposed pear shape (she looks normal to me 
). He started listing things we could do to check all possibilities, but I'm a student with barely any money and he was almost reaching £1k... I asked if I could just book her in for the spay to treat for the ovarian cysts as he was most confident it was that, but didn't want to rule everything else out. I'm unsure what to do as I don't want to put poor Wilma under anaesthesia and through that surgery if that is not the true issue. I also cannot afford the £250 for the surgery if it's incorrect and she will need further treatment. Now, I don't mean to doubt the vet's knowledge or intentions, but everything I've read about ovarian cysts does not equate to what Wilma is experiencing.
What I've read/seen is;
- the alopecia is bilateral (Wilma has it directly on her rump)
- they're painful and can affect the guinea pigs mood (the only time she's seemed less chirpy is after the vets appointment, she's eating and drinking fine and happy as can be)
- the hair loss doesn't come out in lumps and doesn't have dandruff or skin attached (When I first noticed wilmas it had appeared overnight and the hair was coming off in clumps attached to hard yellow skin)
I adopted Wilma and her sister (Choobs) and they appeared somewhat dirty but I assumed it was down to their fur colour, but after the hair loss I gave them a wash with guinea pig shampoo and they're a lot whiter than when I initially had them. I'm just wondering if maybe she developed a fungal infection from being so dirty or maybe it's due to the hormonal changes because of the failed pregnancy?
I'd appreciate any help!
). He started listing things we could do to check all possibilities, but I'm a student with barely any money and he was almost reaching £1k... I asked if I could just book her in for the spay to treat for the ovarian cysts as he was most confident it was that, but didn't want to rule everything else out. I'm unsure what to do as I don't want to put poor Wilma under anaesthesia and through that surgery if that is not the true issue. I also cannot afford the £250 for the surgery if it's incorrect and she will need further treatment. Now, I don't mean to doubt the vet's knowledge or intentions, but everything I've read about ovarian cysts does not equate to what Wilma is experiencing.What I've read/seen is;
- the alopecia is bilateral (Wilma has it directly on her rump)
- they're painful and can affect the guinea pigs mood (the only time she's seemed less chirpy is after the vets appointment, she's eating and drinking fine and happy as can be)
- the hair loss doesn't come out in lumps and doesn't have dandruff or skin attached (When I first noticed wilmas it had appeared overnight and the hair was coming off in clumps attached to hard yellow skin)
I adopted Wilma and her sister (Choobs) and they appeared somewhat dirty but I assumed it was down to their fur colour, but after the hair loss I gave them a wash with guinea pig shampoo and they're a lot whiter than when I initially had them. I'm just wondering if maybe she developed a fungal infection from being so dirty or maybe it's due to the hormonal changes because of the failed pregnancy?
I'd appreciate any help!
