Help/Advice - 7yr old pig (hair loss)

[Gareth90]

Hi,

Looking for some help/advise.

My 7yr old Boar, has all of a sudden lost hair on his tummy and legs. He shows no sign of hair loss else where.

I dont believe its fungal or mites as his skin doesnt look irritated or anything. Just looks like hes been waxed . . .

My first thought was Vit C, so hes been on a strict diet the past few days, Hay + nuggets and veg with Vit C.

I have now noticed that he seems to always have poop stuck in his butt. Ive been removing this, this has got me thinking, could it be impaction and he cant eat his poop and thats the deficiency which has caused the hair loss?

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

To the forum.

Only a hands on check from a vet will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and any necessary treatment, so do have him seen. Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

Let us know how you get on

 

[pig in the city]

Hi,

Looking for some help/advise.

My 7yr old Boar, has all of a sudden lost hair on his tummy and legs. He shows no sign of hair loss else where.

I dont believe its fungal or mites as his skin doesnt look irritated or anything. Just looks like hes been waxed . . .

My first thought was Vit C, so hes been on a strict diet the past few days, Hay + nuggets and veg with Vit C.

I have now noticed that he seems to always have poop stuck in his butt. Ive been removing this, this has got me thinking, could it be impaction and he cant eat his poop and thats the deficiency which has caused the hair loss?

Any ideas?

Thanks

Some older pigs do get hair loss but its usually just a thinning rather than baldness.
It sounds as if he might have been sitting still a lot causing hair loss and pooh on his bottom.
This could be for many reasons such as arthritis or general health issues. A vet check is essential to check him over fully.
I love older boars ❤❤

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

Looking for some help/advise.

My 7yr old Boar, has all of a sudden lost hair on his tummy and legs. He shows no sign of hair loss else where.

I dont believe its fungal or mites as his skin doesnt look irritated or anything. Just looks like hes been waxed . . .

My first thought was Vit C, so hes been on a strict diet the past few days, Hay + nuggets and veg with Vit C.

I have now noticed that he seems to always have poop stuck in his butt. Ive been removing this, this has got me thinking, could it be impaction and he cant eat his poop and thats the deficiency which has caused the hair loss?

Any ideas?

Thanks

Hi and welcome

Please have your boy vet checked.

Only a thorough hands-on examination can give you the answer you need because a vet can check the body, look for little telltale signs and put them together into a whole. We can only guess based on your guesses - and that won't get you anywhere.
Old age is rarely gentle when it finally hits and very frequently requires increasing medical support depending on the underlying condition(s).

We can't see the piggy, check the skin for signs of skin parasites, mild fungal, mechanical abrasion (often caused by arthritis in the spine or legs which we definitely cannot check for but which is not at all uncommon), vitamin deficiency caused by a bad diet/changes in the absorption of nutrients (not very common in well cared for piggies on a long term good over 80% hay diet with little pellets and a bowl full of mixed veg and fresh herbs that provide a wide range of nutrients), self-barbering (from pain) etc.

From my own experiences with elderlies my money would be on arthritis but you cannot treat for that on spec based on the guess who has not even seen your piggy.
The problem is that the frailer an old guinea pig get, the weaker and less flexible its immune system so opportunistic issues that are normally kept under control by a fully working immune system can suddenly flare up with great severity, this includes skin parasites, fungal, respiratory and urinary tract infections.
It needs a vet to give your boy a good check-over, to consider all possible aspects and then make an informed diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate medication, which may or may not have to include painkillers.
A pet that you have had for 7 years is surely worth taking care of properly in old age the way you would like to be taken care of to be free of pain and unnecessary distress?

PS: Impaction doesn't usually cause hair loss.

 

[sport_billy]

Awww bless him. Seven years old is a great age, I think as others have said a vets check is vital here. Mites and things always need checking out as can present differently, i would never second guess skin conditions having seen many over the years. Can you let us know what the vets say please, sending vibes x