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Hair loss - small clumps

Hbecooper

Hbecooper

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
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Location
Wellingborough, UK
Hi,

Any ideas what this maybe one of our sows i noticed while grooming today was shedding a lot of hair. She is short hair and normally dont see too much, but noticed when i stroked her some small clumps with bits of skin attached were coming out. Not all over, seemed to be down the middle of her back but she got vedy annoyed me having a look in her hair to see, kept trying to bite me and then nibbling at herself?
Frustratingly was only 2wks ago i had them all to be looked over for health check and no mites found, does it look like mites or possibly fungal? I cant see anything on her. Thought there was a small rough bit but couldn't see anything and think was just a clumpy bit.. any ideas? The other 3 seem fine nothing similar, thought id ask before a 45mins drive to be seen!
 

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The site you mention in the mid back is a prime site for mites - often you see irritated skin & broken hair from the piggy scratching or biting there. Unless hair is being pulled out by a cage mate it would tend to suggest an infestation. Also, coupled with the nibbling you describe and her uneasiness at you touching the site I’d suspect that there is a problem. I’d recommend a vet visit to identify what it is and t get the right treatment.
 
I agree with @VickiA . The middle of the back is where mange mites usually start off; and the signs of discomfort/hating to be handled is often the very first inkling of increasingly inflamed and painful skin.

Unfortunately, with parasites you can't just check once; they turn up when they turn up. Many guinea pigs carry mange mite eggs in their skin which ivermectin cannot kill off. They are usually kept in check by a fully working immune system, but just the stress of settling in a new home can lower the immune system allow the mite eggs to hatch.

Just see a vet for a proper diagnosis (all we can do is guess, but not diagnose from your description, nor are we qualified to replace a vet), treat them with a good quality product for a full 3 rounds course and the problem will never get past nuisance level. ;)
 
Thanks very much, as i thought really for where they were located. Was doing so well too! Ill arrange to get them seen again x thank you x
 
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