• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Why's My Rodent Going Bald Again?

Hi Sue! Please get your piggy seen by a vet. Give me a ring if you want a chat. It’s clearly worrying you and I know how much you care for your rodents, so it’ll be worth it to put your mind at rest and to see what’s going on with your pretty girl.
Debbie xx
 
Hi Sue you really need to get her vet checked. I had a little piggy called Molly. Same hair loss as yours, they thought it was an ovarian cyst. They operated & it was a massive tumour. Nothing could be done, she was eating well & playing. Don't let this be your piggy. Cos it breaks your heart.
 
As everyone else has said, you need to see a vet. She can't be left like that, she's obviously quite poorly and as we all know, piggies hide it very well. Even if she seems okay she's clearly not.

This will not get better on its own, a vet visit cannot be avoided.

Please don't leave her like this, it's not fair on her. She can't take herself to the vets and if we were that poorly we would go to the doctors no question.

Everyone is getting quite distressed over this case and it's getting quite heated, but it's only because we're all animal lovers and can't bear to see an animal left untreated and the 5 freedoms not being addressed. As I've said before she is likely in pain and discomfort, you know that this isn't right.
 
Any reason that you are not able to get her to the vet, or do you feel that she is ok?
 
I don't understand why you would post a photo and tell us her condition has worsened, knowing how everyone here feels about the situation, you must be aware this is going to provoke a certain response... .

I feel sorry for your girl and can understand why peoples comments are getting heated :(
 
Sue_P said:
I haven't taken her, she's still fine in herself. The other rodent was scratching a bit though a week or so ago so I gave them some Xeno just to be on the safe side to rule out mites again.

I presume Pretty Bald's hair will grow back again soon, I hope it's before the cold weather sets in.
Click to expand...

I’m sorry to be blunt here but if you are not planning to take her to see a vet despite the begging of multiple forum members...then please stop posting updates about her condition unless she is improving.

It’s just far too upsetting and frustrating for everyone who is a trying to help but is being ignored. You posted to ask for advice and have decided not to follow it. I therefore don’t see the point of this thread continuing if that is not going to change.

I don’t mean to sound harsh but I just can’t think of any other way to write it.

Please take her to see a vet just to make sure she is not in any unnecessary discomfort.

Edit: I would just like to add that if you have issues with actually transporting her to a vet and that is what is stopping you then please please reach out for help. Some forum members in your area may be able to take you and your piggy to a vet.
 
@ Natwee88 - Reporting me to the RSPCA would be wasting the RSPCA'S money, time and resources.

@ Debbie - Pretty Bald's baldness isn't worrying me that much, apart from some hairloss she seems fine. If in 3 or 4 weeks her hair hasn't regrown or she's lost more and it's gotten very cold in the rodent room then I'll be concerned about her getting cold but no, she seems fine. If she has got cysts then they're there all the time, 2 months ago she had a full thick coat, anyone looking at her in person 2 months ago would say she looks fine, the only difference now is that symptoms are showing. Anyway, Nana Niki says that Simon the vet in Northampton has said that when he spays girl rodents that most of them have ovarian cysts, that being the case then it's obviously a common condition that they can live with and goes unnoticed. Pretty Bald has always been the shape she is and has always had spells of baldness since I got her. Anyway I'll try ringing you tonight though in between my fave programmes Wildlife SOS & Autumnwatch.

@ Tiamolly123 - Sorry to hear about Molly.
 
Simon spayed my sow because she had cysts, she had thinning hair and was very hormonal. Plus she lost weight. He told us that if we did not go ahead with an emergency spay that was at risk of Pyometra as her cervix was permanently open due to her being in season all the time.
 
Hi Sue. If you cannot afford a vet or an operation, can you please speak to Debbie (@furryfriends (TEAS) )?
The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary – Providing life-enhancing care for Guinea Pigs with extra needs

Not treating can increase the risk of your girl contracting a womb infection (pyometra) or an infection in the body if the cyst bursts. It is really as serious as that; either can potentially be fatal. We are really worried for your girl and you here, knowing how much you love your piggies. We care about you and want your piggy to be healthy and happy again.
 
Sue, the finding of ovarian cysts on spaying of sows is not an incidental finding (ie found by chance while the vet happens to be performing a spay). The reason why the spay is performed is because of the sow having cysts. If you leave ovarian cysts untreated there is a risk that they can cause significant discomfort to the sow, that she may develop pyometra (which is a very nasty womb infection) or that they may ultimately rupture. Sorry to be graphic about this, but you really do need to seek some veterinary help for your sow. We are worried for her.
 
Sue_P said:
@ Natwee88 - Reporting me to the RSPCA would be wasting the RSPCA'S money, time and resources.

@ Debbie - Pretty Bald's baldness isn't worrying me that much, apart from some hairloss she seems fine. If in 3 or 4 weeks her hair hasn't regrown or she's lost more and it's gotten very cold in the rodent room then I'll be concerned about her getting cold but no, she seems fine. If she has got cysts then they're there all the time, 2 months ago she had a full thick coat, anyone looking at her in person 2 months ago would say she looks fine, the only difference now is that symptoms are showing. Anyway, Nana Niki says that Simon the vet in Northampton has said that when he spays girl rodents that most of them have ovarian cysts, that being the case then it's obviously a common condition that they can live with and goes unnoticed. Pretty Bald has always been the shape she is and has always had spells of baldness since I got her. Anyway I'll try ringing you tonight though in between my fave programmes Wildlife SOS & Autumnwatch.

@ Tiamolly123 - Sorry to hear about Molly.
Click to expand...
When Simon spayed all the female guinea pigs for Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare, he did find that pretty much all slightly older piggies had cystic ovaries. This was only discovered at spay as the guinea pig was showing no signs of illness or hormonal issues. This just highlights that most female guinea pigs will have cystic ovaries, but won't need any treatment. However, your guinea pig does need a check up, with a guinea pig savvy vet, just to find out why the hair loss is occurring and whether any treatment is required. I know you don't like to waste money on vets who have no knowledge and sadly there are plenty of those around, but hopefully we could point you in the direction of a good one.
 
My Iola needed a spay in May for her two large ovarian cysts. One had got stuck to the gut and was very painful. She has made a good recovery and is back to her old self again. She is about to turn 6 years old.

It is important that you see a good vet if your sow has continuing hair loss as that means there is a major ongoing problem.
 
Please do see a vet! They may not even be ovarian cysts - they could be done form if tumour, in which case the sooner it's spotted the better!
Surely it's better to be safe than sorry, and treat the problem before she develops pyometra or a rupture? She might not be suffering now but she will be greatly if that happens - is it worth the risk?
One of the RSPCA freedoms is prevention of suffering - not CURE but PREVENTION. By not preventing possible suffering, you're breaking the 5 freedoms :(
 
Tiamolly123 said:
5 of my hamsters had Pyometra I had to have them all put to sleep.
I'd give up people she ain't listening.
Why on earth did she ask for advice when she isn't listening to it.
Click to expand...
I am so sorry about your little Hamsters :(.
 
Thank you it was over the course of a year, what crippled me was I had to have 2 put down at once, Dotty was only about 10 weeks old, she was such a sweetie. Apparently its caused by overbreeding. If only I could get hold of the breeder.
 
Sue and I have had a lovely chat on the phone. Sue cares deeply for her guinea pigs and this becomes very clear when you speak with her. Forums and the internet are great, but sometimes things can get misinterpreted or misunderstood. I much prefer to talk to someone, than to communicate by sending messages. Her guinea pig, is well cared for, her health is monitored closely and apart from the hair loss, she has no other symptoms. No crusty nipples, no dominant behaviour, no weight loss. She eats well, moves around well, exhibits normal guinea pig behaviour and enjoys life. Sue is happy for me to discuss the hair loss her piggy is experiencing with my vet, Simon Maddock and she will be repeating the Xeno treatment at the appropriate time. She also thinks there may be some regrowth of hair coming through. Sue and I will be keeping in touch :like:
 
a078.gif
 
I was right, the rodent's fur is growing back. There's now 1mm's new growth all over the bald areas.

I've been looking at my dates to see if there's a pattern...


2016
12th Aug - She was very poorly with a URI. In the 2-3 months prior to this she had slight balding between the shoulder blades.
Soon after 12th Aug I tried some out-of-date Beaphor.
2 weeks after that I tried Dr Martins spot-on.
5th Sept - She became very bald on her bottom and back.
23rd Sept - Xeno-ed her.
3rd Nov - The fur re-grew.

2017
13th Sept - She was very bald.
16th Oct - Xeno-ed her.
25th Oct - The fur re-grew.
 
Did you bring up the conversation of my balding rodent to Simon Maddock yesterday Debbie? If so, what did he say?
 
Sue_P said:
Did you bring up the conversation of my balding rodent to Simon Maddock yesterday Debbie? If so, what did he say?
Click to expand...
Will speak to him tomorrow. Didn't want to take up any more of his time yesterday, as I had sneaked an extra piggy in and he was running late. Will let you know what he has to say xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top