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Poorly Guinea Pig

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Amyg42

Amyg42

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hello, looking for some advice. One of my guinea pigs isn't doing too well. Just before Christmas she had a small patch of hair loss on her back so I treated with ivermectin. I took her to the vet a week later as it was getting worse. The vet had a look under microscope and confirmed lice. She was prescribed more ivermectin. She has been treated 3 times now, fortnightly. But her hair loss is still getting worse. She is nearly completely bald on her back. She also now only weighs 620g but has stayed this weight for 2 weeks. The vet says it is highly likely she is suffering from an underlying illness. Probably kidney failure.
She is due to go back to the vet next Saturday for a check over for the 3rd time. They have basically told me her outlook isn't good. Otherwise she is lively with a great appetite and drinking plenty. Not sure what advice I'm looking for, but feeling really sorry for her as she looks terrible.
 
hi.I'm sorry you are experiencing probems.Is your vet a exotic vet or guinea pig savvy,there is a vet locator at the top of page,just place your postcode in and it shoud provide you with your nearest guinea pig savvy vets.if she is losing weight can i suggest you weight her daily and hand/syringe feed eg critical care or mushed up pellets.I feel she needs to be seen sooner than sat if she is deteriorating.await for a health an illness experts advisors on the forum to give you a more appriopriate reply.Welcome to the forum it is a very friendly community.I hope your piggie gets better soon.:)
 
Amyg42 said:
hello, looking for some advice. One of my guinea pigs isn't doing too well. Just before Christmas she had a small patch of hair loss on her back so I treated with ivermectin. I took her to the vet a week later as it was getting worse. The vet had a look under microscope and confirmed lice. She was prescribed more ivermectin. She has been treated 3 times now, fortnightly. But her hair loss is still getting worse. She is nearly completely bald on her back. She also now only weighs 620g but has stayed this weight for 2 weeks. The vet says it is highly likely she is suffering from an underlying illness. Probably kidney failure.
She is due to go back to the vet next Saturday for a check over for the 3rd time. They have basically told me her outlook isn't good. Otherwise she is lively with a great appetite and drinking plenty. Not sure what advice I'm looking for, but feeling really sorry for her as she looks terrible.
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Hi!

Has your vet considered a fungal skin infection? There are other forms apart from ringworm, which is the only one that labs test for.

You may want to try and see whether topping up with syringe feed can help to bolster the weight: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

It may be worth seeing another vet for a second opinion. Here is the link to our recommended vets locator on the top bar: Guinea Pig Vet Locator

Please top up your guinea pig with syringe feed to help keep its weight up. Hay is making up to 80% of the daily food intake, and you cannot control that. If your guinea pig is still losing weight despite that, then you have to consider an underlying issue.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Here is our recommended vets locator:
 
Just a thought but is the hair loss symmetrical on both sides? Maybe get the vet to do a conscious ultrasound scan to make sure she has no ovarian cysts.
Hair loss on both sides can be a symptom of ovarian cysts.

They could possibly be growing &causing her pain. This could possibly cause her to lose her appetite &eat less/lose weight if in pain.
Also if she's not feeling her best she may be susceptible to the lice or a fungal infection as a secondary issue.

Is she acting a bit grumpy or hormonal?

Is she scratching lots?

Ask the vet about using an antifungal shampoo/spray if that is confirmed
@helen105281 has had success with fungal medications &uses a 7day bathing &7day off approach I think?

I hope your girly gets sorted quickly &definitely get a second opinion from another cavy savvy vet if you're not happy with your current one.

Speedy recovery xx
 
The vet took a sample off her skin and examined it under he mocroscope and found dead lice. Which suggested the treatment was working. However the hair loss is getting worse. She is patchy all over and definitely not symmetrical.
She has seen two vets actually and both thought the lice was a secondary thing. I will try and syringe feed her to keep her weight up but she does seem to eat as well as ever.
 
When my hamster had cushings disease (he was over two when he had it) he had hair loss and was treated for mites initially. I wonder if cushings is a possability. I hope you get a decent vet and a diagnosis soon. It is stressful when they are ill.
 
I would get her checked for fungal too, does the hair come out easily when tugged gently and does it look greasy? the skin would also be red too. Treatment is usually with either an oral medication called Itrafungol or Imaverol dips can be used. Many people dip every 3 days but I prefer to dip once a week for 4 weeks. The Imaverol is not rinsed off so works between dips. You need to know it is fungal you are dealing with first though.
 
Unfortunately princess was put to sleep tonight. Her weight had dropped significantly again. And she was soo frail. Absolutely heartbroken. Vet thought it was likely to be cancer.
 
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