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Looking For Reassurance- Hair Loss

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Adelle

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i noticed last week fudges coat was a bit "scruffy" looking, but it put it down to her needing a bath. As most of u know shes in heart failure, so i only bathe her when she really needs it to avoid unecessary stress. 2 days ago i noticed her hair was thinning either side of her tummy, almost symetrically. The skin is clear, no redness or dry patches. Tonight iv noticed its extended to over the hip and hind leg (upper muscley area, not boney bottom part). She has an appointment monday afternoon as this was the nearest appointment with her usual vet who is very good, and as she is totally fine in herself, not itchy etc, i figured it wasnt an emergency- but i didnt expect it to progress so fast. I'm thinking its hormonal as it looks similar when looking at pictures on here. I havent seen her barbering excessively, and as the hair seems sparse and almost wirey? I dont think its barbering, although it is in the back of mind with a huge feeling of dread incase shes barbering due to pain and theres something horrible going on inside. She is gassy on and off but its very mild and sorts itself out with a dose of zantac and metaclop- its been that way for a month or 2.

I'm basically just looking for some reassurance or any ideas. Shes come so far and I'm terrified this is going to be something sinister.

Here is some pics- 1st and 2nd pic from 2 days ago, 3rd and 4th from today and rest showing the hair is wirey as apposed to smooth silky and normal along the back. The skin looks red in second bottom pic but its just the lighting- the skin is normal to the eye.

TIA

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I'm no expert by any means but this doesn't look like the result of barbering, it looks like it's thinning out, and I'd have said hormonal issues also..
 
Beans&Toast said:
I'm no expert by any means but this doesn't look like the result of barbering, it looks like it's thinning out, and I'd have said hormonal issues also..
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Its what I'm thinking too :-( fudge is (obviously) a complete no go for anaesthesia of any kind never mind a surgical procedure.. Other than a fungal/parasite issue, which it doesnt look like, then we're talking an internal issue. I have that horrible feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach :-(
 
The thinning on the sides looks typical for ovarian cysts. You may want to have that checked out.
There is now hormone therapy (chorulon) as an alternative to a spay, which you may want to discuss with your vet, depending on how you feel about operating. It is a course of injections. Large ovarian cysts can press on other organs and cause discomfort (self-barbering).
Guinea Lynx :: Ovarian Tumors
 
Adelle said:
Its what I'm thinking too :-( fudge is (obviously) a complete no go for anaesthesia of any kind never mind a surgical procedure.. Other than a fungal/parasite issue, which it doesnt look like, then we're talking an internal issue. I have that horrible feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach :-(
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I know that feeling all too well. It's horible and once you've got something into your head you cannot shake it.
Just try and enjoy the time you have with her, there's nothing you can do until Monday anyway.
I know she can't have an op, but what about the injections for hormone issues?
I've got my fingers crossed for beautiful fudge:hug:
 
Wiebke said:
The thinning on the sides looks typical for ovarian cysts. You may want to have that checked out.
There is now hormone therapy (chorulon) as an alternative to a spay, which you may want to discuss with your vet, depending on how you feel about operating.
Guinea Lynx :: Ovarian Tumors
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Its what I'm thinking too. She has an appointment on monday with her usual vet, who is very good. Crunchie had ovarian cysts and had the HCG injections but ended up being spayed anyway as her uterus was badly diseased and causing issues. My 16 month old is poss facing a spay next week for suspicious ovarian tissue and hormonal behaviour.. And now my eldest possibly has them too. Fudge is already on fortekor, max dose frusemide every 8 hours and max dose spironolactone, needed more frequently than the standard dose. She is stable, and has a good quality of life just the same as the others- but i feel anything else really will tip her over the edge. :-(
 
It does look like hormonal thinning too. With Fuzzy it was more all over than on her sides but it does look similar. Hopefully she will be able to have the injections alongside her other meds. My other thought would be fungal but it is not usually symmetrical. The skin does look a bit pink though but could be the light.
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I agree, my Aby had hair loss in the same place & it grew back after 2 Chorulon injections. Fingers crossed it can be sorted quickly x
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Did her cysts cause any further problems down the line? My ovarian cyst piggie cruchie has the HCG injections and they did shrink the cysts and reduce her hormonal behaviour but she ended up being spayed due to womb issues so i didnt really get to see how they worked in the long term. I have no idea how long "long term" is for fudge but i just want to equip myself with as much info as possible so i have a rough idea of what to do once we get a diagnosis x
 
Yes, I've only had one sow needed spaying but that was down to early pyometra :) I've always had sows, probably at least 5 have had ovarian cysts & all of those had the injections, just the one spay for the one that had pyometra. They are pretty effective :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Yes, I've only had one sow needed spaying but that was down to early pyometra :) I've always had sows, probably at least 5 have had ovarian cysts & all of those had the injections, just the one spay for the one that had pyometra. They are pretty effective :)
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Thats reassuring thank you xx
 
The only reason we opted for spay with Fuzzy and not injections was because her membrane was permanently open and so she was always in season and was also at a high risk of Pyometra.
 
helen105281 said:
The only reason we opted for spay with Fuzzy and not injections was because her membrane was permanently open and so she was always in season and was also at a high risk of Pyometra.
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That makes sense. The only reason I'm opting for spay with mallow if we have continuous issues is because its "unidentified" tissue surrounding her ovaries so we dont even know what were dealing with, and she is only 16 months with no other major health issues and has a skilled vet so everything is on her side. I know you had a heart piggy spayed (u must have serious trust in your very good vet!) but with fudge being on such high doses of meds and already a miracle to be doing well, i dont think even the most skilled vet in the world could bring her through a succesful anaesthetic never mind the recovery too. If its hormonal related i just pray its cysts and not tumours because at least then we have 1 option to try (the injections). If she got very sick and i was gonna lose her without a spay then ofcourse id give her that chance but, other than that, it isnt really an option sadly :-(
 
My vet said that the recovery after the spay is far more tricky than the op :) You need to be 100% committed with care afterwards, it makes all the difference, which I am sure you will be with your other girl :) Hopefully Fudge will just need the injections x
 
Adelle said:
That makes sense. The only reason I'm opting for spay with mallow if we have continuous issues is because its "unidentified" tissue surrounding her ovaries so we dont even know what were dealing with, and she is only 16 months with no other major health issues and has a skilled vet so everything is on her side. I know you had a heart piggy spayed (you must have serious trust in your very good vet!) but with fudge being on such high doses of meds and already a miracle to be doing well, i dont think even the most skilled vet in the world could bring her through a succesful anaesthetic never mind the recovery too. If its hormonal related i just pray its cysts and not tumours because at least then we have 1 option to try (the injections). If she got very sick and i was gonna lose her without a spay then ofcourse id give her that chance but, other than that, it isnt really an option sadly :-(
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I was in a bits but luckily her heart issues are stable at the moment and it was Simon Maddock doing the op, if it had been a different vet I would not have know what to do.

I completely understand why you wouldn't want to put Fudge through an op.

My Terk had an ovarian tumour a few years ago and she had the injections too. Gave us a whole extra year with her, and she was 7.
 
helen105281 said:
I was in a bits but luckily her heart issues are stable at the moment and it was Simon Maddock doing the op, if it had been a different vet I would not have know what to do.

I completely understand why you wouldn't want to put Fudge through an op.

My Terk had an ovarian tumour a few years ago and she had the injections too. Gave us a whole extra year with her, and she was 7.
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Maybe I'm being selfish but i just feel really sad at the thought of something else potentially shortening her already shortened life that shes beating the odds with.. Shes done so well, they where always suprised she was still with me when i brought her in for another vet visit for any issues that occured- and that was autumn last year. I would never let her suffer, I'm not dragging it out- she does everything a piggy should and all on her own- she just needs alot of meds for her to be able to do that. But shes happy, if i didnt think she was i wouldnt let her struggle. Everytime she popcorns or throws her toys around, i feel content that i am still doing the right thing. You would think after all this time id be prepared for things like this but I'm really not. Feeling emotional tonight, i just pray this wont make her final time uncomfortable or stressful.
 
Not selfish at all. She doesn't sound ready to go anywhere to me.
 
So fudge saw the vet today- her skin is clear and no sign of parasite or fungal issues. She thinks its either hormonal, or just changes due to her age and health issues.

She palpated the abdomen, all comfortable and nothing untoward felt.

She xrayed the abdomen- no sign of obvious cysts, growths or fluid in or around the ovaries- which is good.

She then xrayed her chest as she was due this- and there is a little amount of fluid there, probably the same as 6 months ago. Her heart also looks the same. This is good feom the heart point of view but not so good with the fluid- although it isnt worse in 6 months, she is already on maximum frusemide 3x daily and max spironolactone twice daily, when the dose is supposed to be once daily.

She has a little protein in her urine- i am awaiting results which will tell if protein is from bladder or kidneys. If bladder, its simple inflammation. If kidneys, its a sign they are now deteriorating in which case, ideally, she'll need her diuretics reduced. If we dont, her kidneys will fail before her heart. If we do, she'll have more fluid in the lungs which isnt a way of life for her.

Please keep her in your thoughts and pray this isnt kidney related. If it is, it will be a simple waiting game until shes no longer doing well, and il have to make that dreaded decision. I feel sick thinking about it. For now she is happy, eating and pooing and maintaining her weight. I'm trying to focus on that.
 
Good news that there are no cysts or tumours. Am praying this isn't kidney related, I think that is what my beloved Nigel (our first heart pig) had in the end. What pellets does she have? they can alter protein readings too?
 
helen105281 said:
Good news that there are no cysts or tumours. Am praying this isn't kidney related, I think that is what my beloved Nigel (our first heart pig) had in the end. What pellets does she have? they can alter protein readings too?
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She has bunny pellets (the weird long ones with lines on them) as she lives with crunchie who has IC. Do you anything about them with regards to protein? I'm useless with things like that
 
They are one of the better ones so not likely to be causing an issue. They are the ones I recommend the most.
 
Glad to hear the good news, and crossing everything (and so are my two piggies!) that the best results come back from the tests.

She's obviously still very happy in herself, even if she has her bad days and from the pictures and stories this latest chapter hasn't affected her behaviour at all. But I know how much we worry about the piggy members of the family, especially the ones that are particularly special (shh don't tell the others)!
 
Posyrose said:
Glad to hear the good news, and crossing everything (and so are my two piggies!) that the best results come back from the tests.

She's obviously still very happy in herself, even if she has her bad days and from the pictures and stories this latest chapter hasn't affected her behaviour at all. But I know how much we worry about the piggy members of the family, especially the ones that are particularly special (shh don't tell the others)!
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She is- happy and special that is! Its just hard enough taking it a day at a time with her heart failure, and now potentially having to do the same with regards to her kidneys. Will be like 2 ticking time bombs. Especially since they both worsen each other. Iv already done alot of reasearch on herbal remedies- but as much as theres all this "positive" information, theres also negative from actual kidney trust organisations so ended up deciding against it. Wouldnt want to cause more issues. Lots of cuddles tonight and praying for some good news tomorrow.
 
Sorry not sure how I've missed this thread.

One of my previous oldie pigs 5+ had kidney failure &I know she was generally healthy apart from frequent cystitis which I think was probably connected. She had dilute urine &functioned with failing kidneys for many, many months. The vet told me she would probably continue as she was until the kidneys were virtually in complete failure &then everything would all deteriorate rapidly. It didnt sound like I had any input in "the decision" when needed.
He was quite right, when the time came it was within hours &obvious that she needed to be helped over the bridge.
It sounds to me like Fudge is still fighting & relatively healthy despite her conditions (if that makes sense)
If she's still happy, active &enjoying doing piggy things&she sounds like she is, then you carry on with your fantastic nursing regime. You have done a brilliant job &your dedication is admirable (she is literally living proof of this).

Hopefully its not kidney related & she stays stable.

But healing vibes &fingers n paws all firmly crossed for the gorgeous Fudge :wub:
(no honestly... I dont have any forum favorites either ;) :whistle: )
Xx
 
GPTV said:
Sorry not sure how I've missed this thread.

One of my previous oldie pigs 5+ had kidney failure &I know she was generally healthy apart from frequent cystitis which I think was probably connected. She had dilute urine &functioned with failing kidneys for many, many months. The vet told me she would probably continue as she was until the kidneys were virtually in complete failure &then everything would all deteriorate rapidly. It didnt sound like I had any input in "the decision" when needed.
He was quite right, when the time came it was within hours &obvious that she needed to be helped over the bridge.
It sounds to me like Fudge is still fighting & relatively healthy despite her conditions (if that makes sense)
If she's still happy, active &enjoying doing piggy things&she sounds like she is, then you carry on with your fantastic nursing regime. You have done a brilliant job &your dedication is admirable (she is literally living proof of this).

Hopefully its not kidney related & she stays stable.

But healing vibes &fingers n paws all firmly crossed for the gorgeous Fudge :wub:
(no honestly... I dont have any forum favorites either ;) :whistle: )
Xx
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Thank you so much x
 
Fudges thinning of the hair has slowed down, but today iv noticed a small bald patch on her rump. It is dandruffy.. Any ideas if this could be a mite or something? Stil not overly itchy or biting herself etc. the little black dot was just a flake of muck from the grass, no ither black bits on her coat.

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