Patch Of Hair Missing Under Chin

[Jen H]

Hi,
Flo has a small clump of hair missing under her chin. There's no scab, it looks clean, she seems otherwise healthy and happy and is eating and drinking. There have been a few dominance issues (head raising competitions, food- snatching, blocking doorways and rumbling) with one of her friends but no fighting that we've seen and they do sometimes eat near each other and touch noses.

Should I worry about the hair? This picture isn't great (she's wriggly).

 

[Jen H]

I should add ... they're around 6 months old. Flo doesn't do the rumbling but she is a bit too sassy with her more dominant (we think) friend. Flo's hair is mid- length but I brush it. I've looked through her hair and can't see any parasites. I've never bathed her though, am going to in the next week or so. They live indoors in their hutch: woodshavings and hay, and play for hours in a fleece lined run.

 

[1GuineaPig1]

I don't think this is too serious right now, but if she loses any more fur take her to the vet immediately, or if she is behaving abnormally. You may want to set up an appointment now just to play it safe.
It is also a possibility of dominance issues, check to make sure there is no fur missing from any other guinea pigs of yours.
Hope she gets better soon!

 

[helen105281]

It could be from where she is rubbing against the food bowl as she eats (my Star had that) but if you are worried you could always get the vet to check. Other possibilities are some kind of lump forming (a cyst for example) or a skin condition.

 

[Jen H]

Thank you both. I'll keep an eye on her and watch her behaviour. I've checked the other two and they're both fine- no missing patches. She let me rub under her chin earlier, so it can't be sore. Interesting that it could be rubbing- it's in just the right place for that. Thanks again for the advice.