Help! Why Is My Piggy Missing Some Fur?

[juhkwellin]

Hi all,

I adopted two brothers last year around December. They were checked by a vet who said they were both healthy. Earlier this week, I noticed one of my pigs has a patch of fur missing from his back. Its down to his skin. He's the more nervous of the two and is the submissive one. I'm not sure if he's been scratching more or if I'm just watching him more closely now. He's eating and drinking fine and not acting any different from his normal self.

I've had guinea pigs for years but none of them have done anything like this. Has anyone had a pig do something like this? And what was the cause?

Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I adopted two brothers last year around December. They were checked by a vet who said they were both healthy. Earlier this week, I noticed one of my pigs has a patch of fur missing from his back. Its down to his skin. He's the more nervous of the two and is the submissive one. I'm not sure if he's been scratching more or if I'm just watching him more closely now. He's eating and drinking fine and not acting any different from his normal self.

I've had guinea pigs for years but none of them have done anything like this. Has anyone had a pig do something like this? And what was the cause?

Thank you!

View attachment 70911

Hi and welcome!

Please have your boy vet checked for mange mites. It can be just down to barbering, but you need to close out the medical angle first with any case of possible barbering. Self-barbering also happens and can happen in the case of mites or any discomfort in or underneath the skin.
You will need to have all piggies in contact treated if you are dealing with a transmittable problem. Please do not treat on spec with low-dosed broad spectrum shop products. They are not strong enough to cut through an acute case.
Barbering ( Eating Hair)

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