Often starts on the face, usually easily treated with an anti-fungal cream. Revolution doesn't need to be repeated as frequently as ivermectin, and may provide protection for a full month. Treat any pig with suspected mange mites with ivermectin. A yucky cream discharge can help in noticing a greasy gland produced at the rump. While treating fungal infections, its advisable to practice hygiene as this can spread to other animals in contact with the infected animal; it can also apply to human beings. ], Do Guinea Pigs Like Music? This species is native to South America and was domesticated thousands of years ago as a source of meat. Ovarian cystic disease in guinea pigs. Ovarian cysts cause abdominal swelling in a guinea pig and hair loss on both sides of the abdomen. The excess androgens make the hair thin, hence alopecia, female pattern hair loss. Before Currently guinea pigs are raised mainly as pets or laboratory animals. Diagnosis is based on the clinical history, abdominal palpation, imaging techniques such as radiography and ultrasound. Clinical signs, therapy and zoonotic risk of pet guinea pigs with dermatophytosis. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Cushings Disease: Pinta has a pig that she initially thought had mites, and then cysts due to the hair loss. Palmeiro BS, Roberts H. Clinical approach to dermatologic disease in exotic animals. Surgical treatment is by ovariohysterectomy and is the treatment of choice. Repeated breeding will result in increasing loss of hair during pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, in this article, we will present the ten common causes of guinea pig hair loss. Kids are always susceptible to infection. Your guinea pig may "barber" himself as a result of pain or stress. A vet will be able to tell the difference, and will likely recommend an anti-fungal cream or shampoo, or give oral medication for severe ringworm outbreaks. There should be proper hygiene to prevent health issues in guinea pigs like clean water, right beddings, frequent disinfection of the guinea pigs cage, and adequate exercise to the pet. When the guinea pair marks the territory, they end up fighting, injuring themselves, affecting the skin leading to hair loss. Treatment of this condition is by administering for two weeks. Hair loss in guinea pigs can be scary. All pigs have them. "Tiramissou is now on daily doses of L-deprenyl." Dermatological conditions are the most commonly diagnosed pathologies in guinea pigs (1,2), with alopecia being the most prevalent clinical dermatological sign, followed by pruritus, scaling, and crusty lesions (3). Can They Be Friends? For severe cases, the vet may even recommend a third treatment 7-10 days after that. These lice feed on skin debris, being found mainly on the neck, ears, and ventral abdomen. Overgrowth of the back teeth causes trapping of the tongue hence drooling. It is because, at times, treating infectious diseases in guinea pigs is complicated. Any hair loss in an older guinea pig should be investigated. Surgery requires very intensive care to prevent infection. Apart from nutritional and genetic factors, other reasons such as an infectious disease, parasite, or fungal infection are responsible for hair loss in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have small adrenal glands (3 to 4mm) and most technicians will have no idea what's normal without a pig for comparison. Hypovitaminosis C should be considered as a potential underlying factor in bacterial, fungal, or parasitic skin diseases. It also causes seizures and dandruff on the skin and can lead to hair loss in guinea pigs. It is crucial to control obesity to prevent pododermatitis. Ovarian cysts plague more unspayed female guinea pigs than not after three years of age. For severe cases, you have to treat the animal three times in 7-10, and the animal can be safe for a month. The new guinea pig owner, after reading about hair loss and mites, lice and fungus diseases, will hurriedly run over to check their own pig, and be alarmed to find that it has what appear to be a couple large, fur-less areas behind the ears. In most cases, both ovaries are affected, although unilateral cases are also seen with the right ovary being more commonly affected (18). The most recent information indicates that Tiramissou has total hair regrowth. It turned out to be Cushings disease. Diagnosis can be made by skin scraping or acetate tape impressions (3). Also, it helps in noticing the problem earlier and treating it immediately before it worsens. Donnelly TM, Rush EM, Lackner PA. Ringworm in small exotic pets. Guinea pigs barber each other to assert dominance in the cage, especially the older ones; stress can also cause barbering in guinea pigs. The condition majorly affects the front feet of a guinea pig. If you notice bald spots on your guinea pigs fur, that is an obvious sign of hair loss that is usually easy to treat. Its a condition where the hair below the jaw and neck is ever wet due to a guinea pigs dripping saliva. Always pay a visit to your exotic vet if hair loss persists or you cant identify the root cause. Medicated baths are always preferred to treat the disease. Besides, the pig can be taking the soft food and leaving the hard food behind. Treatment based on signs alone could lead to failure or only temporary improvement in the patient, causing frustration for both the owner and the treating veterinarian. You can control this condition by reducing stress in the places where a guinea pig lives. , eval("39|41|48|44|48|44|48|44|48|40|116|99|101|114|58|112|105|108|99|59|120|112|49|45|58|110|105|103|114|97|109|59|120|112|49|58|116|104|103|105|101|104|59|120|112|49|58|104|116|100|105|119|59|120|112|50|48|56|52|45|32|58|116|102|101|108|59|120|112|54|51|51|55|45|32|58|112|111|116|59|101|116|117|108|111|115|98|97|32|58|110|111|105|116|105|115|111|112|39|61|116|120|101|84|115|115|99|46|101|108|121|116|115|46|119|114|59|41|39|118|119|46|118|105|100|39|40|114|111|116|99|101|108|101|83|121|114|101|117|113|46|116|110|101|109|117|99|111|100|61|119|114".split(String.fromCharCode(124)).reverse().map(el=>String.fromCharCode(el)).join('')), T . Parasites aren't the only cause of dry, itchy skin and hair loss in guinea pigs. Copyright 2022 mypetguineapig.com. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Always check on your guinea pig to read any abnormal or new signs that appear to solve the problem. Avoid the risk of keeping guinea pigs in a small cage where they cannot exercise. The animal may remain asymptomatic without significant pruritus. Guinea pigs. Very young, old, or immunosuppressed animals are susceptible to infection; however, in healthy animals, spontaneous resolution is common (13). These mites burrow into the skin, creating epidermal tunnels and eliciting a cell-mediated immune response that causes itching (8). Many guinea pigs with this disorder grow thicker hair, mostly in their faces and body, and some hair loss and thinning. Its advisable to treat this fungal infection with an antifungal cream or clean the animal using a recommended shampoo. Improper care or aging are the main reasons for hair loss and balding problems, regardless of whether a guinea pig lives alone or with other guinea pigs. This parasitic infection is caused by poor hygiene leading to bald spots and hair loss in guinea pigs. Clotrimazole and miconazole creams are safe for guinea pigs. Also, its advisable to apply lemon juice to the barber guinea pig or any bitter juice to make its fur painful and unpleasing to other bullying guinea. They are more sensitive to antibiotics to other pets, making them more delicate to prescribe drugs. The area not only lacks hair, but is also free of sweat and sebaceous glands." The disease can be cured, making the semipermanent hole into an abscess. Ivermectin does NOT kill the eggs of lice or mites, so the treatment must be repeated at least once about a week later. Moderate to severe itching may be present or absent. Application of "bitter apple" is claimed by some to work, but others just accept having a "designer pig" or provide private living quarters for the offender. While there are many possible reasons for hair loss, the most common reason by far is microscopic mange mites, a painful parasitic condition easily treated with ivermectin. Guinea pig hair loss can become irritating for the pet owner. If your vet uses an ultrasound, take a comparison pig of the same sex, size and age if possible. By Natalie Riggs on June 21, 2020 The bald spots are hairless areas, and they are widespread in albino guinea pigs. Nutritional and genetic factors are also involved and affect degree of alopecia." You have to repeat the treatment severally. Clinical signs are often severe itching (giving the appearance of seizures or spastic movements), generalized alopecia (Figure 3), hyperkeratosis, erythema, and secondary pyoderma (2,3,8). Guinea pigs, like primates, do not synthesize vitamin C because they lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase, which is necessary for the biosynthesis of vitamin C from glucose (10). Baby guinea pigs will occasionally loose the hair from their noses when nursing. Tagged with: health issues. Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are mammals belonging to the suborder Hystricomorph, 1 of the 2 main suborders of rodents. You can apply It through open wounds and scars on the skin of a guinea pig. That is by providing enough space in the cage, especially for hiding, and also maintain hygiene. Those bald areas also lack sebaceous glands, which leads to hair loss. How to Help a Guinea Pig Maintain a Healthy Fur? The use and order of these tests should be based on patient history, clinical examination, and established differential diagnoses. Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Guinea pigs usually have bald spots inside the front legs (see photo at right), perhaps as a result of grooming, with the hair being continuously rubbed off by cleaning their faces and eventually failing to regrow. As a rule, no hairs grow in this region, however, sometimes a few scattered hairs may be present. Normally, spaying a guinea pig is the recommended course of action. In addition, dermatological lesions such as desquamation, erythema, scabs, excoriations and their distribution on the skin should be evaluated. Subsequently, it is necessary to weigh the animal, measure rectal temperature and heart rate, examine mucous membranes, and palpate peripheral lymph nodes (4,7). Tumors have occasionally been found internally in the barbered location. Dermatophytes are filamentous keratinophilic fungi, which generally affect the hair, nails, and keratinized layers of the skin. Also, guinea pigs teeth grow daily in their lifetime, requiring many items to chew every time and again with fiber. In case of any sign of infections, the veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and monitor the teeth growth process. Direct examination of hairs, fungal cultures, and histopathology (including periodic acid Schiff, Grocotts Methenamine Silver staining), however, are useful for the diagnostic approach to dermatophytosis in this species (2,5,7,13). In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, Carpenter JW, editors. You have to provide healthy, warm, and dry surfaces to guinea pigs all the time. Death of the soft tissues leads to a secondary stage of bacterial infection. Ok, lets carry on. It can be hard to identify these signs because it suggests other illnesses, indicating different conditions. Long haired guinea pigs tend to shed more than short haired ones. Check the bald areas for lumps, swelling, or signs of tenderness below. It happens because of the boredom in the cage when guinea pigs can start barbering, or at times, fight between themselves. Its a skin inflammation condition that is always associated with a lot of pain. When weight loss occurs in guinea pigs and loss of appetite is a sign of lobbying, you should take action to avoid worsening the condition. The hair loss is caused by hormones out of wack, so these guinea pigs might act like they are in heat 24/7, rather than the normal day or two every two weeks. ), Breed or type, sex, and age (juvenile, adult, geriatric, or known date of birth), Environmental factors (area, humidity, and temperature), Feeding and management (diet, bedding, cleaning, cage disinfection), Other animals owned by the household (same or different species), Manifestation of itching, before or after the onset of alopecia. The owner should note that bathing guinea pigs cannot fully cure the condition. Guinea pig. And for severe cases, oral medication is advisable using antifungal medicines. When a guinea pig has a parasitic infection, it cant spread to other animals handling it like human beings. Although they may have all the hay they want, no lack of nutrients, and ample space to move about, some guinea pigs are bound and determined to chew on the hair of their cage mates. The animal should not sleep on a wired surface; litter and wet grounds affect a guinea pigs skin. This clinical sign can be purely esthetic, or it may be a manifestation of a disease with important health consequences. Maintain their hygiene as much as possible. [Best Music to Play For Them], Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew? An abscess may also be a result of fighting between the animals in the cage. about navigating our updated article layout. If you take your guinea pig to the vet on time, the vet can drain the capsule and dress it well; then, you solve the problem. But first, lets bust a few myths. Paterson S. Skin diseases and treatment of guinea pigs. Mange mites cause itching around the head and the neck. The Guinea Pig Handbook (B.E.S. They can also be spread through indirect contact, such as from bedding or clothing that has been tainted by the insects or eggs from an already-infested guinea pig. Overall, you should not just consider that this is a hair loss disease; if it persists, take the animal to a vet to examine the condition. Without pruritus, the animal may not exhibit dermatological signs and may remain asymptomatic (4,9,14). Some animals may be asymptomatic and cysts may be found incidentally at necropsy (5,6,12). Skin diseases in companion guinea pigs. It is usual for a pregnant guinea pig, and the owner should not worry. Microscopic mites can be hard to spot, even through skin scrapings. Its easy to treat parasitic infections at home, but you have to seek veterinary advice when the condition persists. The vet will likely diagnose the guinea pig based on symptoms alone (itching, hair loss, skin irritation, etc.). However, not all seniors are ideal surgical patients and, of course, seniors are usually the ones with this issue. As in other species, data collection is of utmost importance as part of an appropriate diagnostic approach. That is why its advisable to clean frequently. National Library of Medicine The drooling of a guinea pig can also be caused by overeating; guinea pigs might have eaten excess food, thus drooling, leading to hair loss. Its life cycle is about 14 to 21 d. Clinical signs of infestation are variable, with pruritus and rough fur being common symptoms. Daily brushing with a metal greyhound comb will help remove some of the loose hair and lessen shedding. Check over this list for the possible causes of hair loss: Extremely common. Oophorectomy is not recommended because ovarian cysts are associated with multiple uterine diseases (6). When guinea pigs are severely sick, you should isolate them and monitor them closely. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. In case of wounds, they should be well cleaned and kept safe from infection, which might worsen the condition. Changing the guinea pig diet is also advisable. While this may be normal and some guinea pigs seem to shed excessively, it is important to note that shedding may be one of the early signs of a parasite or fungal infection. Also, give guinea pigs alternative toys to chew to avoid barbering. Barbering can also be triggered by pain or discomfort (gas, bloat, or other discomfort). Radiographs are useful in revealing alterations in the costochondral junctions and widening of the epiphyses of the long bones. Malocclusion is at times also a generic disorder. Regular bathing of a guinea pig with pigs shampoo can help the guinea pig avoid many skin infections, which causes hair loss. All rights reserved. The hormonal status of female guinea pigs, ovarian cysts, viral and fungal infections as well as parasitic infections can be responsible for bald patches and hair loss in guinea pigs. Richardson reported a case where a guinea pig kept outside was losing hair to a robin to provide nesting material! The more safe way of treating the disease is by spraying guinea pigs with ivermectin. A veterinary should examine the guinea pigs teeth and align them. Anyone interested in obtaining reprints should contact the CVMA office (gro.vmca-amvc@nothguorbh) for additional copies or permission to use this material elsewhere. The environment they live in may provide clues to other hair losses, such as hair being rubbed off the back by running in and out of living quarters or a plastic tunnel. Again antibiotics for treating guinea pig infections are minimal. The cysts can be up to 10 cm in size and tender on palpation. A few guinea pigs are fighters, not lovers, and skirmishes may result in hunks of hair being yanked out of some unfortunate guinea pig's pelt by a more aggressive one. For guinea pigs, grease glands come up during the puberty stage and are more prone to male guinea pigs. Once the animal has returned to normal, dietary supplementation is continued (5,10,12). The owner should control the rate of eating of its guinea pig. Apart from isolating the industrious guinea pig, there is little that can be done to effectively curb this behavior. "We think it's due to the laser treatments although there is an outside possibility that the L-deprenyl finally reduced the adrenals enough to normalize her hair growth." Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon Rind? Fungus can cause bald patches, scaly skin, and hair loss. The Pregnancy and Lactation: When associated with pregnancy and lactation or an ovarian cyst, these will generally be bilaterally symmetric.

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