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newowner

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Silly question, but how much hair do they shed?

We bought 2 piggies last week and one sadly passed away immediately after getting him home (day 2) :(, the other piggy is very shy and timid (at the moment) but also shedding hair at an alarming rate (never owned a piggy before) so question is should I be looking for something?

He's not bald etc, not itching, maybe I just underestimated the hair they shed?

Any advice appreciated
 
Hello newowner, Sorry for your loss :( How come the newcomer died? :(
I think it really depends on the pig. Both my shorthaireds shed a bit but the mediumhaired one sounds like yours. When he's been sat on me, i'm covered in his fur. Maybe get him checked over with the vet if you're really worried. If he's not itching, it doesn't sound like there's a parasite or mite problem, Does he have dandruff?
 
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newowner said:
Silly question, but how much hair do they shed?

We bought 2 piggies last week and one sadly passed away immediately after getting him home (day 2) :(, the other piggy is very shy and timid (at the moment) but also shedding hair at an alarming rate (never owned a piggy before) so question is should I be looking for something?

He's not bald etc, not itching, maybe I just underestimated the hair they shed?

Any advice appreciated
Click to expand...

Welcome :) Well done on finding the forum, you'll find lots of helpful advice, good info and cute photos :))

Maybe if you told us a little bit more about your pig - approx age, where they came from considering they're new to you, what the fur is like, diet, kind of housing etc. we may be able to spot a reason.

Also - are there any scabby bits of skin or is piggy scratching at all?

Some pigs do shed more hair than others - I guess its like dogs, it depends on the type of fur, animals age, temperature etc.

Hope that helps!

Amanda
 
Oh i am so sorry about your pig, did you get him/her from a petshop, could you go back and tell them it died and get some compensation, photo of your remaining pig would be really helpful xx
 
Afternoon everyone :)

Thanks for the swift replies.

Firstly I don't know why Vader (named by son) died. He was the more dominant of the pair, they were 6 weeks old and had been paired at the petshop since the breeder dropped them off. They were so close to each other. Vader was the more confident/dominant and we pretty much left them alone to settle. Day 1 he came out to get carrot and cucumber by hand (Charlie, still doesn't feel confident to do this yet). I left for work at 10 am and he was out exploring the cage. By the time we came home from school he was dead. Very distressing for the kids and myself as I wonder if we did something.

Bought from a local petshop that also grooms/provides holiday boarding, that "seems to care for them", more than the other shops we saw and have a good reputation etc.

He is an American piggie (I think, still new to this lol), but is indoors at the moment till I find a friend and he settles before putting outdoors. I wonder if it is hotter than he's used to - hence the shedding?

When we cuddle, I'm left with a fair bit of hair on my clothing, that didn't happen days 2 - 4? We are also finding it hard to pair Charlie up now he is alone, (he is too timid for the other ones we tried, and are "friendship" dating again tomorrow with some older ones this time, is it because he's lonely and sad? Sorry if that seems silly, but I am sooooo new to this
 
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http://tinypic.com/r/357eyis/7

Sorry if that doesn't work (new to this) - He is in a indoor cage with a cardboard box (for hiding) and a bed, some wooden gnawing things and not much else. Diet is food from pet shop (they said he was used to it) that is mixed with vit c and straw, plus some parsley, cucumber and carrot so far fo fresh food.
 
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Hello, and welcome! So sorry you lost your piggy :(

I think firstly you should take your other piggy to the vet on Monday to rule anything contagious out and check his overall health.
I'm no expert but your piggy has lost his friend and is likely to be very stressed which could cause the hair loss. When mine visit the vets their hair comes out like nobodies business as they are so stressed out!

Good luck with finding your piggy a new friend xox
 
Well I am now more confused than ever! Took "him" to bond - and the pet shop owner again wasn't sure at the interaction and checked the sex!

He is a SHE (they said). So either they were both females at first and maybe we got mixed up, or SHE has been paired with males since birth!

The litter I got my two from was from a new supplier, they aren't using again (they said), their normal breeder is a vet with 40 years experience and is bringing in some new ones soon. At 8 weeks they'll be about the same age, the owner also said that Charlie (may need renaming!) is only about 5 weeks now. I don't have a lot of faith in the pet shop and am now worried about when sex he/she is and also what to do next.

Any ideas on this new development, I just want to do what is right?
 
newowner said:
Diet is food from pet shop (they said he was used to it) that is mixed with vit c and straw, plus some parsley, cucumber and carrot so far fo fresh food.
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Hi guinea pigs shouldn't have straw xx
Also if they were unsure on sex, double check yourself http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm piggy may need to be on pregnancy watch.
Could you take him/her to a local rescue for a new friend rather than going to a pet shop or breeder? If you let us know roughly where you're located members should be able to recommend somewhere.
 
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Oh dear. I really feel for you being a new piggy owner and having all this to deal with :(

Firstly, if your piggie is a Sow and you wernt sure whether Vader was a sow or boar, Charlie could be pregnant.

Are you living in the UK?

If I was you I wouldnt dash back to the pet shop for another piggie
a) Your lone piggie could be carrying something contagious
b) Another pet shop piggie could be carrying some thing contagious
c) You might have a pregnant piggie

I would wait and have Charlie vet checked properly, give her a quarantine period. Your lone piggie will need a little friend but first you have to make sure Charlie is OK and not carrying any babies.

Also, I did notice that you hadnt mentioned Hay for Charlie to eat? At least 80% of piggies diets must be good quality hay.
Straw is not recommended for piggies to be bedded on.
 
Salt n Peppers mum said:
Oh dear. I really feel for you being a new piggy owner and having all this to deal with :(

Firstly, if your piggie is a Sow and you wernt sure whether Vader was a sow or boar, Charlie could be pregnant.

Are you living in the UK?

If I was you I wouldnt dash back to the pet shop for another piggie
a) Your lone piggie could be carrying something contagious
b) Another pet shop piggie could be carrying some thing contagious
c) You might have a pregnant piggie

I would wait and have Charlie vet checked properly, give her a quarantine period. Your lone piggie will need a little friend but first you have to make sure Charlie is OK and not carrying any babies.

Also, I did notice that you hadnt mentioned Hay for Charlie to eat? At least 80% of piggies diets must be good quality hay.
Straw is not recommended for piggies to be bedded on.
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Thanks for that

We did our research first and chose a reputable pet shop, so this is not something I anticipated :(

It is comfey meadow hay not straw I am using (pet shop recommended) (my bad use of words). I don't feel comfortable sexing them (will try from the guide though). Pet shop said they were sold as females, but I am 99% certain they said male at the time, so I agree I can't be sure the poor wee mite isn't pregnant, as Vader has been burried in garden now. I live in North Shields so will google for a suitable vet and make an appointment ASAP and leave the friend till I know. He/She seems to be OK at the moment - but I guess till all this is resolved, a companion will have to wait. I don't want babies, have such limited experience/space it's something that scares me to be honest.
 
Ah bless you, its not a good start, but do hang around on the forum we have lots of lovely knowledgable people on here that are only too happy to help.

And if the time comes that you are looking for a friend for her I would highly recommend a rescue, all the piggies would have been health checked and piggies are dated to pick the best friend, there are lots of beautiful piggies in rescue right now looking for homes.
Layla's rescue is highly recommended http://www.northeastguineapigrescue.co.uk/

Let us know how everything works out.
:)
 
Hi! I am sorry about your problems and for Vader's passing; it is tough when you are thrown in at the deep end of pet ownership! Sadly, you can all too easily run into problems with pet shops - reputable or not!

I agree that you need to have checked Carlie out by a vet first thing to make sure that her hair loss is simply due to stress and not to mites or fungal problems. Please try to find a vet that lists an exotics specialist - guinea pigs are classed as that. A piggy savvy vet can at times really mean the difference between life and death!

Here is a link to the best website for sexing guinea pigs with loads of pictures of piggies of all ages. If you are still unsure, you can always post a picture of the privates on here; the sharper the better.
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Depending on where you are living and what happens with Carlie, it would be great if you would consider taking her to a reputable guinea pig rescue that allows her to choose her own mate; that way you can be sure that they be well bonded. You will also get a guaranteed healthy, properly sexed, non pregnant and handled piggy as well as advice and support throughout the piggy's life.

I started out with surprise babies from a neatly separated shop sow (it happened during transport to the shop mallethead), so I can feel for you! After that experience, I have gone strictly rescue and never rued it!
 
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