Specialist Hair loss and mammary tumor?

[Mshea]

I've had my Piglet for 4 years now, when I got her I was told she was anywhere between 2-4, so she's definitely getting up there in age. Ever since I've had her, she's had a lump on her mammary gland. She has seen vets and I was always told that as long as it isn't growing and isn't hurting her, that we should just leave it be. So I'm not as concerned about that issue, although if these two things are related I will be much more concerned.

What I'm worried about is her hair loss. She's gone through periods of hair loss on her sides and tummy and then it will grow back again. I believe that is due to hormones. However tonight I noticed a bald patch on her upper tummy and it doesn't look like what she normally experiences. Usually when she loses hair it just thins out but with this, there's no hair there and it feels smooth. It doesn't look very irritated as her skin is already pink naturally. I'll be calling the vet in the morning but in the meantime I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/suggestions.

Thank you!

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I'm just going to suggest it could perhaps be self barbering? Possibly pulling fur out herself which could be due to pain or stress. But I agree with seeing a vet. I'm not experienced with lumps and bumps, but from the picture it does look quite big. Have you noticed it getting bigger?

 

[Wiebke]

I've had my Piglet for 4 years now, when I got her I was told she was anywhere between 2-4, so she's definitely getting up there in age. Ever since I've had her, she's had a lump on her mammary gland. She has seen vets and I was always told that as long as it isn't growing and isn't hurting her, that we should just leave it be. So I'm not as concerned about that issue, although if these two things are related I will be much more concerned.

What I'm worried about is her hair loss. She's gone through periods of hair loss on her sides and tummy and then it will grow back again. I believe that is due to hormones. However tonight I noticed a bald patch on her upper tummy and it doesn't look like what she normally experiences. Usually when she loses hair it just thins out but with this, there's no hair there and it feels smooth. It doesn't look very irritated as her skin is already pink naturally. I'll be calling the vet in the morning but in the meantime I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/suggestions.

Thank you!

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Hi and welcome!

The hair loss may hormone related although it is a strange location. It can be that your cyst is growing or that there is a new ovarian cyst.
It is something that you need to discuss with your vet when you have your girl checked over.

Mechanical abrasion from losing hair where piggy lie on their bellies generally happens in the lower belly area but not on the in upper/chest area where the front legs tend to lift the body off the ground and it is not quite as smooth. And as you say it is smooth, it cannot be self-barbering, either, as that leaves some stubble.

The only other explanation that I can think of could be a mild fungal skin infection (not ringworm).