Older guinea pigs

[sheepish]

My pig is nearly 8 years old. He is getting a bit matted now but I have noticed a small bald patch behind his ear. It's not scabby and doesn't seem to cause him any discomfort. To be honest I don't know how long he's had it as he had the run of the garden during the day and puts himself in his bed at night so isn't handled very much anymore - he's never been affectionate! I've always bought him inside once its gets to 5 degrees or lower but he never seems very happy with this. The area around his bum is also getting very matted but due to his age I wonder if a bath might cause him undue stress. For this reason I am reluctant to take him to a vets as he doesn't react well to being picked up, and he is also getting a bit deaf and blind so a new person might really freak him out!
Do you think its worth the stress for him to see a vet or am I better just seeing if the bald patch gets any worse?

 

[Rachel WD]

Is it an extra bald spot as guineas do have bald patches behind their ears to start with. I would get the vet to trim him as the matts will only get worse and will cause discomfort as they pull on the skin. Plus that way you avoid having to bath him which isn't best at this time of year if he is going outside. Don't want him catching a chill. He is a good age.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Piggies usually do have a bald patch behind each of their ears, it's normal in older ones. Is it just behind one ear?

8 years old is very good for a piggy, if he has long fur maybe he needs a quick trim around his bottom end, I would be reluctant to bathe him especially in winter & if he lives outside as it would be stressful to him

 

[sheepish]

It's just behind one ear, and I just don't know when it appeared. He seems to squeal a lot more than usual too, always seemed to be around dinnertime but now all times of day and he's always grumbled from the minute he gets bought inside. Poor boy is getting on, think he's a bit deaf and blind now too!