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Why's My Rodent Going Bald Again?

Sue_P

Sue_P

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Pretty Fat has started to lose her hair again and looking back at my old photos it's happening at exactly the same time of year as last year. Do you think the time of year is playing a factor or just a total co-incidence?
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Here's last year's babble - www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/balding-rodent.140254

& this is how she looked when she was at her worst in mid October of last year. Her hair grew fully back in November last year.


 
Can you get her to a vet to check for ovarian cysts (they can cause hair loss on the flank) or some fungal or parasitic condition?
 
Be an idea to Get your vet to qhec for ovarian syst ! A good piggy savvy vet should be able to drain that with just a light anesthetic!
I have a sow at the moment that has one and my old vet Michelle Lawrence said that I should take it back to her if it gets any bigger or if she starts to display any of the O cyst symptoms and she will drain it for her
 
Ovarian Cysts in Guinea pig

NB, Great care should be taken handerling your pig as if it is an O Cyst the fluid inside is sterile!
If it bursts it formes an ideal breeding media for bactera! The invading bacteriala could possibly cause septosemea (blood poisoning ) which could kill a pig in a few hours
 
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This hair loss pattern is characteristic of ovarian cysts. My piggy Doris had exactly the same symptoms and ended up being spayed. She's thriving now. Best get a vet to check it out as there may be another cause.
 
It could be hormonal, the other rodent was bullying her in the days prior to her hair beginning to fall out. I think she can sniff there's something wrong before I can see it.

If she does have ovarian cysts, why did all her hair grow back the last time? They wouldn't have gone anywhere would they?

@ Gizzy - Yes. I've always been extra careful when handling this rodent because of her strange shape. My mum had a narky moan at me when we were claw cutting a few weeks ago because I was telling her to be careful, she's sick of being told to handle it with care, lol.

@ Marrypigs Sanctuary - They were born around April 2013. & no she doesn't scratch, she doesn't seem bothered at all. I tried Xeno the last time but it had no effect, I didn't think it was mites or mange that time but treated her anyway. The vet the last time said her strange shape was to do with having a slack abdomen and was nothing to worry about, he had given her a good feel around the belly area. BTW, this rodent doesn't have crusty nipples.

@ Gizzy - I'm not having a vet do any procedure on my rodent unless it's totally necessary. At the mo there's no other symptoms other than hair loss, she's perfectly happy.
 
Sue_P said:
It could be hormonal, the other rodent was bullying her in the days prior to her hair beginning to fall out. I think she can sniff there's something wrong before I can see it.

If she does have ovarian cysts, why did all her hair grow back the last time? They wouldn't have gone anywhere would they?

@ Gizzy - Yes. I've always been extra careful when handling this rodent because of her strange shape. My mum had a narky moan at me when we were claw cutting a few weeks ago because I was telling her to be careful, she's sick of being told to handle it with care, lol.

@ Marrypigs Sanctuary - They were born around April 2013. & no she doesn't scratch, she doesn't seem bothered at all. I tried Xeno the last time but it had no effect, I didn't think it was mites or mange that time but treated her anyway. The vet the last time said her strange shape was to do with having a slack abdomen and was nothing to worry about, he had given her a good feel around the belly area. BTW, this rodent doesn't have crusty nipples.

@ Gizzy - I'm not having a vet do any procedure on my rodent unless it's totally necessary. At the mo there's no other symptoms other than hair loss, she's perfectly happy.
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It can well be a new ovarian cyst or the other cyst has reactivated again. Be aware that the majority of ovarian cysts do not cause any and by far not all possible symptoms. Your sow can well have cysts without having crusty nipples. ;)
 
Poor baby! I would definitely get to a vet asap, that's not normal. As thers have said it could be ovarian cysts or even something more sinister so it's definitely worth getting her checked out and get some tests done.

Illness can escalate quickly in piggies so you have to catch things and get on top of them fast. Has she lost/gained weight recently?

If you go to a vet who is specifically guinea pig savvy (rather than just rodent, they're quite different to rodents) they'll be able to do some tests and check her tummy whilst giving her a bit of an MOT too :)

Hope she gets better soon!
 
@ Gizzy - I'm not having a vet do any procedure on my rodent unless it's totally necessary. At the mo there's no other symptoms other than hair loss, she'sperfectly happy.

That's what my vet suggested I did with my sow! But she is nowere near as swolen as your sow!
If you leave it to long any course of treatment may be inafetive, and she could die a miserable death ! But if opted for getting her drained now! the risk is far far less than having it removed under GA

Draining involves a light wiff of G A gas, then the pig is laid on a table and the vet applies a scanner to the aria, then when the cyst is clear, a long narrow hollow needle is inserted into the cyst and the other end is conected to a 50ml syinge and the fluid is drained into a bowl! I have wached Michelle my vet do the procedure and the pig is up and running in minutes
 
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Draining involves a light wiff of G A gas, then the pig is laid on a table and the vet applies a scanner to the aria, then when the cyst is clear, a long narrow hollow needle is inserted into the cyst and the other end is conected to a 50ml syinge and the fluid is drained into a bowl! I have wached Michelle my vet do the procedure and the pig is up and running in minutes
 
Our girl Toffee has an ovarian cyst on her right side. It doesn't bother her, but she's too old and weak for anaesthetic anyways so the vet has suggested we leave it. Her hair has now grown back but the cyst is still present! She's a sweet ol' girl <3
 
@ Cavy Kung-Fu - I haven't weighed her for a while but I can see she hasn't lost any weight. I'd notice if she had.

@ Gizzy - The draining procedure sounds scary and rather risky if an unsavvy vet is doing it. I don't have faith in my vets, they're not cavvy savvy and I don't want someone that isn't competent sticking a needle into my rodents abdomen. If things change and my rodent becomes unwell in herself I'll look at possible options then but if the prognosis is bleak I'll put her down. Saying that though I would like her to last as long as possible because I've decided not to let the cycle continue, I want these rodents to be my last. In the past when one's died I've thrown in another to keep the existing one company but this time the remaining one will have to be on its own which could be tragic if it's unhappy without its sister or a brand new friend so ideally I'd like both of my rodents to live into old age and die at the same time.

@ Merrypigs Sanctuary - Sounds wise.


Thanks for your comments.
 
I'm sorry to be blunt but it's likely she's in pain, please have a look at the recommended vets on here and see if there's one near you. I've changed vets quite a few times til I've found someone I'd actually trust. As she's still quite young and this seems to be a problem she's had for a while it's definitely worth getting her treatment, not only for her quality of life now but also for her future.

If you're not wanting to carry on the cycle of having piggies you could always look for a recommended rescue should you wish to stop the cycle or if it's getting too much now :)

Does she have a name? :)
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
I'm sorry to be blunt but it's likely she's in pain, please have a look at the recommended vets on here and see if there's one near you. I've changed vets quite a few times til I've found someone I'd actually trust. As she's still quite young and this seems to be a problem she's had for a while it's definitely worth getting her treatment, not only for her quality of life now but also for her future.

If you're not wanting to carry on the cycle of having piggies you could always look for a recommended rescue should you wish to stop the cycle or if it's getting too much now :)

Does she have a name? :)
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I remember her name, she's called pretty fat.
 
I wanted to call my rodents 'Rodent 1' & 'Rodent 2' etc etc when I first started getting them but Meanie Mummy said no. She's such a spoilsport.
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& no way would I ever hand one of my pets over to anyone, that's like giving up one of your own children for adoption.
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Sue_P said:
I wanted to call my rodents 'Rodent 1' & 'Rodent 2' etc etc when I first started getting them but Meanie Mummy said no. She's such a spoilsport.
TskTsk_emoticon.gif


& no way would I ever hand one of my pets over to anyone, that's like giving up one of your own children for adoption.
nonono.gif
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Fair enough, I see my lot like kids but a lot better!

How did the vets go?
 
Oh I haven't taken her. I'd only take her if she's not acting right, at the mo she's happy enough. I'll keep an eye on her and if if things change I'll get her over to the vets.
 
Hi Sue,

My Dumpling had something very similar. Balding in exactly the same areas and the same way. She went bald in section for almost a year then fur grew back for 2 years then she balded again and fur came back (back now).

She has ovarian cysts which we and the vet have mainly put it down to, but she had also just gone through a very stressful time beforehand (both times, 1st post surgery, second loss of cage mate) so I think stress may play a part.

Just thought I'd share my (seemingly similar) experience :)
 
@ CharlieH - That makes perfect sense because the first time my rodent went bald she was seriously ill with an URI. She showed signed of a little balding starting on the days/week before she got ill, she went downhill very quickly and I thought she was going to die, she spent a few days struggling to breathe and then got better and then her hair fell out in the weeks afterwards. I put a lot of the balding down to the stress of her being ill and recovering/being in poor condition.

Saying that she's not had any stress recently.

@ Cavy Kung-Fu - I have a feeling she may be in pain. She's been whimpering a bit. You know that sound they make when one rodent is harassing the other and they talk to one another. I've been hearing that a bit more than normal recently. I'm keeping an eye on her though. For example if I took her to the vets, started picking her up in her condition and forcing pain relief medication into her I'm not sure if that would do her more harm than good. The stress may make her worse and from my own personal experience pain relief isn't always effective anyway. & if she was in severe pain I'd know about it because she'd seem depressed, be hunched and off her food. She's still acting merry and happy even if she might be in some discomfort. But like I say, I'm monitoring, if things change I'll get her sorted.
 
Sue_P said:
@ CharlieH - That makes perfect sense because the first time my rodent went bald she was seriously ill with an URI. She showed signed of a little balding starting on the days/week before she got ill, she went downhill very quickly and I thought she was going to die, she spent a few days struggling to breathe and then got better and then her hair fell out in the weeks afterwards. I put a lot of the balding down to the stress of her being ill and recovering/being in poor condition.

Saying that she's not had any stress recently.

@ Cavy Kung-Fu - I have a feeling she may be in pain. She's been whimpering a bit. You know that sound they make when one rodent is harassing the other and they talk to one another. I've been hearing that a bit more than normal recently. I'm keeping an eye on her though. For example if I took her to the vets, started picking her up in her condition and forcing pain relief medication into her I'm not sure if that would do her more harm than good. The stress may make her worse and from my own personal experience pain relief isn't always effective anyway. & if she was in severe pain I'd know about it because she'd seem depressed, be hunched and off her food. She's still acting merry and happy even if she might be in some discomfort. But like I say, I'm monitoring, if things change I'll get her sorted.
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Yes I'd imagine she is in pain, she won't get better by leaving it I'm afraid. You really do need to see a cavy savvy vet and be proactive with it. A bit of pain relief is a lot better than being in pain in my experience so I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

If she's in pain anything could be happening inside her and without investigation it could be something fatal :(

I know vets trips aren't the most fun things in the world but if it means it will improve her quality of life it needs to be done. The main thing is getting the pain under control and finding the route of the problem. Only then can you decide on treatment etc.
 
I have to say I agree with @Cavy Kung-Fu If there is any chance your guinea pig is in pain then you owe it to her to at least try and offer pain relief.
One possibility might be to call you vet and ask about picking up some Metacam for her.
If you have a good relationship with your vet and have taken her there before then they might be willing to let you have some Metacam to try in the first instance, and save her (and you) the stress of a visit.
 
Has she seen a vet yet? I'm sorry this may sound rude but you were told to seek medical advice a year ago and you haven't and now your wondering why it's happening again? There is no point asking the same questions 1 year later and still saying the same thing, it's time you got some answers from a vet, cavvy savvy or not, maybe you could suggest to them giving her an ultra sound. I know it can be stressful not knowing which vet to trust with your pet but cavvy savvy or not they should all be willing to investigate the problem for you and at least give you a diagnosis. At the end of the day they will only have your pets best interests at heart and then at least you'll know for sure what's wrong with her.
 
I don't mean to be rude as it is obvious that you really love your guinea pigs and want the best for them, but you really need to see a vet if there is even a chance that there is something medically wrong. By not taking her it seems a bit like you are neglecting her needs when she might be suffering. If it was my pet I would want to know what is wrong with her.
Guinea pigs are really good at hiding pain and not letting it show. Please talk to a vet to at least get an opinion as to if it is right to bring her in for an examination.
 
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