Why is my guinea pig losing hair around its eyes?
Irritation or exposure to excessive amounts of bacteria or fungal spores can cause your guinea pig’s eyes to become infected. Your guinea pig may have hair loss around the infected eye, redness called conjunctivitis, discharge, swelling, and even hold the infected eye shut. …
Why does my guinea pig have a bald spot on its head?
Microsporum Fungal Disease in Guinea Pigs. Ringworm infection is a common infection in guinea pigs. The ringworm infection is characterized by bald patches that commonly start at the head. Patches may first appear on the face around the eyes, nose and ears, and from there the infection can spread to the back.
What is barbering in guinea pigs?
Hair Loss Due to Barbering in Guinea Pigs. One of the common causes for hair loss is due to barbering, a behavior by which guinea pigs will chew or tear their own or each other’s hair off as a result of conflicts between adult males or between adults and young. It may also be exhibited by females that are under stress.
Can humans get mites from guinea pigs?
Guinea Pigs can contract a number of parasites including mange mites, ringworm, lice and ear mites. They can also cause seizures to guinea pig in severe cases. Mange mites cannot be transferred to humans although may cause some minor irritation to sensitive skin.
How do you treat fungus on guinea pigs?
Your veterinarian will likely diagnose ringworm in your pig through a simple physical examination. A course of antifungal medications will be prescribed to rid your pig’s body of the infecting fungus. The use of these medicines might last for up to six weeks or more, depending on the severity of your pet’s infection.
How do you know when your guinea pig has mites?
Affected skin will get thick and sometimes yellowish and crusty. There may be hair loss in the affected area. Secondary bacterial skin infection commonly occurs. In time, weight loss is common, and your guinea pig may become debilitated, lethargic, and depressed.
Why does my guinea pig have bald spots?
It’s always scary for guinea pigs to lose hair, but when you notice bald spots in guinea pigs, that is a sign of hair loss, and it’s easy to treat. Therefore, in this article, we will present the ten common causes of guinea pig hair loss. A guinea pig doesn’t lose hair due to aging, there must be an infection, but the bald spots are typical.
Is it normal for guinea pigs to lose their hair?
Many guinea pigs with this disorder grow thicker hair, mostly in their faces and body, and some hair loss and thinning. When the hair is lost due to this disorder, it’s hard to recover the lost hair, but new hair can grow with some treatment.
What are the symptoms of eye problems in guinea pigs?
Symptoms of Eye Problems in Guinea Pigs. Eye issues in guinea pigs can be hard to diagnose. The most common signs and symptoms are: Cloudiness or redness in the eye. Frequent pawing or scratching at the eye. Keeping an eye closed.
What to do if your Guinea Pig’s Eye swells?
After this test, a veterinarian will likely X-ray your guinea pig to further confirm the diagnosis and decide if an extraction surgery is the right course of action. Sometimes growths or tumors will, unfortunately, develop behind the eyes of guinea pigs. 3 These tumors can cause an eye to bulge or swell.
What might cause a guinea pig to lose hair?
- Barbering. One of the leading causes of hair loss in guinea pigs is barbering.
- Fungal Infections. Fungal infections are also a significant cause of hair loss in guinea pigs.
- Skin Parasites. Skin parasites can bring discomfort to your rodent.
- Ovarian Cysts. Female guinea pigs can also suffer from hair loss due to ovarian cysts.
- Scurvy.
Why is your guinea pig losing their hair?
Hair Loss in Guinea Pigs. 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. Fungal infections are a close runner-up. Old age does not cause hair loss. Any hair loss in an older guinea pig should be investigated.
Why do guinea pigs shed so much hair?
Guinea pigs can shed excessively if they feel stressed out. They are sensitive animals and nervous by nature. Their stress can often manifest as hair loss if the stressor isn’t resolved. For example, if you have two guinea pigs and one is being the “alpha” and bullying the other one, this can be a source of stress for the quieter pig.
Why does my guinea pig keep Sheding hair?
Shedding behavior is connected to the type of hair each race has. However, if your guinea pig is suffering from lack of Vitamin C or any fungal infection as such, then they may shed excessively. You should get your guinea pig examined if you find any signs of excessive shedding in your guinea pigs.