Hair Loss in Boar Pair

[Ruby Fawn]

About a couple days ago, while spot cleaning Walter and Chuck’s cage, I noticed that there was a small spot on Walter’s back as if his hair was thinning/losing hair. And my other boy, Chuck is also losing hair around his neck area. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them, and I’ve noticed that Chuck is scratching a lot, while Walter not so much, but still scratching that little area. I told my dad, and he said he’s not going to take them to the vet so they can charge us $150 if this has already happened before (Which it has.) He then told me to try and figure out what exactly it is (mites, lice, ringworm, etc.) and try and find a treatment online to see if we could pick it up at our local pharmacy. I’m stumped on what it could be that’s affecting the boys. Help?

 

[Swissgreys]

Unfortunately you really do need to take your boys to see the vet.
This could be one of several skin problems which you have listed in your post, and we can't diagnose accurately over the Internet.

Using treatments you can buy from a pet store or have at home can actually make a condition worse and harder to treat in the long run.
Obviously this makes things more expensive too, so the earlier they receive a proper diagnosis from a vet and the correct treatment the cheaper it will be.

Please ask your Dad to reconsider as it really is his responsibility to ensure they receive appropriate medical attention when necessary.

 

[Wiebke]

About a couple days ago, while spot cleaning Walter and Chuck’s cage, I noticed that there was a small spot on Walter’s back as if his hair was thinning/losing hair. And my other boy, Chuck is also losing hair around his neck area. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them, and I’ve noticed that Chuck is scratching a lot, while Walter not so much, but still scratching that little area. I told my dad, and he said he’s not going to take them to the vet so they can charge us $150 if this has already happened before (Which it has.) He then told me to try and figure out what exactly it is (mites, lice, ringworm, etc.) and try and find a treatment online to see if we could pick it up at our local pharmacy. I’m stumped on what it could be that’s affecting the boys. Help?

Hi!

Please see a vet. If the problem is happening within a month of purchase, then you can reclaim the treatment cost from the pet shop. There are several problems with different treatment (ringworm, mange mites or hay mites) that can cause the symptoms you are reporting. Low
dosed shop stuff will not heal and only prolong the problem until you end up seeing a vet with an advance case.
Please note that we cannot replace a hands-on vet visit and that we cannot diagnose reliably (nor are we qualified) online. We also do not support home treatment on spec as a matter of forum policy.

Please show your dad this link here: What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)

PS: We are a UK based forum with an international membership. Can you please add your country to your account details as dollars are used in the US, Canada and Australia, but they are not the same currency or the same value. Our default advice is UK based.

 

[Wheekallweek]

As the others have said, it is very difficult to tell which parasite could be causing the problem. It msy not even be parasitic at all!
That’s why it’s so important to get your pigs to a vet to confirm the cause. Only they can successfully diagnose the problem and prescribe the correct treatment.
Using over the counter treatments that may well be incorrect could make things worse.
Good luck!