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hair loss?

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ZaraPiggie6

ZaraPiggie6

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noticed the other day Emily had a patch of hair missing, I assumed it was Brenda barbering again. Then today ive just seen her pulling he own hair out, shes now got four patches. Ive had a rummge through her hair and it looks completely clear to me, shes eating fine, and hasn't lost any weight, at a loss as to what could be causing it?

Had a look at her cage mate and shes completely fine, no patches, clear skin etc
 
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I'm obviously going to try and get her into a vets tomorrow, just wondered what your thoughts were
 
Loss of hair on the sides (without a piggy pulling it out) can be symptom of ovarian cysts (its a hormonal thing ) - although one of my girlies has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts and she didn't have these symptoms.
 
Hi .... I've experienced that from one of my piggies in the past. He was a great wee guy and lived until he was nearly 7 with his brother . When he was 4 it all just started out of the blue. He has loads of visits to the vets , checked for all sorts of mites but never any..... He would be doing his normal stuff then he would quickly turn round for a frantic barber of himself as if he was itchy.... Skin was never red or flakey .... Always healthy looking skin . I tried all sorts including changing bedding etc as vet eventually thought it was an allergy to something. He was never bored or anything that would cause this to be a stress thing as he had a big enclosure withbhis brother and they had loads of toys etc and a big outdoor area . The only thing that ever stopped it was a steroid injection at the vets . That would control it for about 6 weeks at a time. The hair would always grow back after the injection then as he would always start again about 6 weeks later. The only time he ever had any stress was when at age 3.5 he had to be separated from his brother while his brother recovered from major surgery. I always wonder if that is what triggered it although he was just through the bars from him. He was a white and ginger boy .... Similar colouring to your guinea. Hope this helps !
 
I've got a horrible feeling she's got ovarian cysts. been watching her this morning and she's very moody with her cagemate, she's always been a bit of a mare but not like this. she's getting seen by a vet tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get her seen today though.
 
Have you noticed any swollen nipples or lots of rumbling mounting etc....? If it is Ovarian Cysts they can be quite sucessfully treated without the need for surgery in lots of cases. We had hormone injections for one of our girls and they worked a treat.

Let us know Emily gets on at the vets
 
She's very nippy with her cage mate, ill have a look at her nips when I get in!
 
vet doesn't think its cysts, thank Christ! shes had an ivermectin injection and she going back in ten days.

I'm going to bath everyone today with biddy stuff!
 
Emily has just had her third injection. The hair loss is getting worse. I brought her sister in with Emily who has no symptoms of mites whatsoever. *unimpressed*
 
I would recommend a scan or xray to check for cysts (I know the vet dismissed it), it's also possible that it could be fungal related. Does the hair break off half way down the shaft, this would be a symptom of mites but if it is coming out when tugged gently then it could be fungal related (not necessarily ringworm). Also some pigs take longer to respond to Ivermectin injections so she may need more than 3.
 
yeah the vet said it could be "hormonal" and will investigate further when were next in. I find it hard to believe its mites, surely her cagemate would be showing symptoms!? I'm certain its not fungal related.
 
I've just solved the hair loss problem! It's her cage mate barbering!

*face palm*
 
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