one of our guineas is going bald,any ideas why?

[Beauregard]

right across her back near her bottom she is now bald.I suspected mites so brought some spot on stuff from the petshop but it got worse.The area us not sore or anything.
Any ideas gratefully received

bumping before work

I think they can get a form of alopecia (sp?). Our guinea pig (when I was little) had bald patches and the vet prescribed a shampoo thing which we had to do every few days. Cleared it up although the guinea pig wasn;t terribly keen on his baths!

Shave it. Nothing worse then a comb over a y guinea pig

Other then that, perhaps stress is causing it?

lol @ combover

Thanks i might see what else the petshop have before i run to the vet(tighter belts this month)
I hope it isnt stress,as we had to split them up as she was bullying her sister.So she is now caged alone but does have floor time each night with her sister.

It could be mites or a fungal infection. Both can be serious and cause fitting which can kill piggies.

Can you get to a rodentologist? They are fab and seem to be less expensive than vets. Also, Gorgeous Guineas stuff is very good and Chrissie gives good advice.

Are you near Hertfordshire? Excellent rodentologist and vet there with very reasonable rates.

Is that Vets and Pets in Broxbourne Silver?

Hi Bruffin yes it is. Brilliant rodentologist and at least one of their vets is very gp savy and works on Saturdays and Sundays. They are very reasonable cost wise...

If you gp has is losing hair the vet will take a sample and look to see what the problem is while you wait.

I put vaseline on my gp when that happened. Thickly. Washed it off gently after a few days. All cleared up now.

Hi thankyou for all the replies

Never heard of a rodenologist tbh and where would i go about finding one?
I have asked at the petshop and he said it could be a form of Alopcia and to take her to to the vet.But what would a vet do for that anyway?
She does not appear to be ill in any way,she eats and drinks well and is still bullying the other one at floortime.

will try vaseline
[desperate emoticon]

This sounds like mites to me she needs four injections of ivermectin 7/10 days apart.Cost £4/£5 at the vets take the piggie to the vets as soon as you can

Whereabouts are you? Cambridge Cavy Trust have a fab rodentologist and so does the vets in Hertforshire.

A rodentologist will be able to refer you to a vet if necessary. Some rodentologists work at vets practices...

If it is mites your gp will need to see the vet as it is really serious and can kill them as they start fitting.

Im in worcestershire
If it was mites would she not be sore?

Ours had mites which we treated with a gel one-off drops treatment. The gel made his hair brittle and fall out in a patch where it had dried, but he wasn't scratching. He sports a very fetching comb over for now until it grows back. Should I have taken him to the vet? He arrived from the pet shop infested with mites and with his nails so long they curled in on his feet. Should have been a rescue guinea.

Just wanted to update this

She has a tumour in her uterine wall so the alopecia is hormone related.We had the option of spaying her but the vet said it was very risky, and no guarantee that it hasnt spread so we will just manage her symptoms.

oh no poor little piggy.

my gp hair started to fall out before she passed away...

you may have to prepare for the worst im afraid

I hope she has a while longer