Jan 26, 2020 natural symptom of aging sometimes guinea pig hair loss is just a natural part of aging. Healthy guinea pigs have a rounded, full body and smooth, even fur with no bald patches. Nov 15, 2011 some skin conditions in pigs can lead to loss of production or even death, and need rapid treatment. In this article, we have listed common guinea pig breeds to choose from. Find modular units, playpens, enclosures, and more. Guinea pigs are susceptible to this disease, and it can cause excessive hair loss and bald patches. Guinea pig is actually a species of rodent which belongs to the family caviidae and the genus cavia. Ringworm and other causes require different therapy. List of coat colors and patterns guinea pig wikia fandom. If you have recently reached the decision that a guinea pig, scientifically known as a cavy and belonging to the caviidae family, is the perfect furry pal for you based on its characteristically friendly and lovable personality, you may be looking to the narrow down which of the many breeds in the guinea pig most suits you.
Guinea pigs memorial and tribute page posts facebook. Fungal infections are a close runnerup old age does not cause hair loss. Rabbits may chew on their own hair or on each others hair. Guinea pigs eat vegetation and do not require water to drink if supplied with sufficiently moist food, but they must have water if fed dry commercial food. Guinea pig farming is lucrative, entertaining and very rewarding at the same time. Guinea pig 101 pet articles paulmacs pets pet store. The sooner your vet can determine whats going on, the sooner your guinea pig can get the treatment he needs. To be classed as a roan guinea pig, it can have just a patch of coloring or be colored all over. Her other rossets although have all the fur but do look quite flakey. Guinea pigs can, at most, have three different colors on their coats. Most commercial guinea pig diets have vitamin c built in, but it degrades within 90 days after the food is milled, so it is best not to rely on the pellets alone. The texel has a short, compact body, with a broad,wellrounded head.
Some skin conditions in pigs can lead to loss of production or even death, and need rapid treatment. The guinea pig is docile, gentle, and easy to care for. My guinea pig has a small bald spot with a red raised sore. The guinea pig s coat should be wellgroomed full, fluffy, and smooth looking, with no bare patches. The itching from lice or fleas causes them to scratch and then their fur comes out leaving bald patches. Is it a fungal infection or something answered by a verified pet specialist. If you notice any of the symptoms above seek veterinary care. Most pets can coexist if care is taken to ensure the guinea pigs safety. It belongs to the rabbit family and is a native of south america. My boyfriend said that when we adopted them, he was pretty sure he had it. We have a guinea pig that has become very quiet and seems. The vitamin deficiency in your guinea pig can cause crusting along the guinea pig upper nose and lip. Tan guinea pigs come in chocolate, black, lilac and beige, and good breed examples have a nice clean band of orange around the chin.
Its also safest to keep guinea pigs away from cats and dogs. They are often confused with dalmatian guinea pigs. Although the young can scamper about and eat solid food the day they are born, they are not fully weaned for about three weeks. We have a guinea pig that has become very quiet and seems to. The guinea pigs found today in the wilds of columbia, venezuela, brazil, peru, paraguay are very similar to our domesticated guinea pigs, but not exactly the same. Why does my guinea pig have bald spots behind her ears. Guinea pig 101 pet articles ca pet valu pet store pet. The answers to those questions will help determine whats going on with your guinea pig. The average weight of a mature guinea pig is right around 2 pounds. Aug 09, 2019 respiratory problems in guinea pigs can go from mild to severe in a matter of days. It looks like there is a tiny bit of hair loss as well, its hard to tell. The nostrils, rump area, underchin area, ears and eyes should be clear and free of discharge fur should not be damp or stained in any way. Like a guinea pig version of eczema or something just because of the fact it looks quite dry.
She also has dry skin in one of her ears that she tries to itch. No guinea pig will be allowed on the show if there is any evidence of bare skin giving the impression of ill health or neglect, such as the bare skin from the removing of knotted hair. Peter gurney, a wellknown guinea pig owner who wrote extensively about them before his passing in 2006, noted on his website that a guinea pig is a guinea pig is a guinea pig. The primary sign of ringworm infection is bald patches, usually starting at the head. They have an unkempt appearance, hunched back, restless and they pace. In their natural environment, guinea pigs eat lots of fiber each day and therefore such dental issues are rare. Here are the most common causes of balding in guinea pigs. The average age for most boars to mate for the first time is 5 months. Hair loss in guinea pigs guinea lynx a medical and. Selecting the best quality boar can help ensure that a sow bears good quality and healthy pups.
Mange mange is caused by the trixacarus caviae mite. Guinea pigs may lick, bite or shake a particular area that is bothering them. 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. The life span of a guinea pig is approximately seven years you should bear this in mind when making your purchase.
Guinea pigs freeze when they are startled or frightened. 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 others hair off as a result of conflicts between adult males or between adults and young. Greasy heel, also known as mud fever or pastern dermatitis, is a generalized dermatitis that causes the skin around a horses ankle to appear greasy. If you take your guinea pig to a vet, the vet will want to do a skin scrape, but 90% of the time it comes up false negative. A female guinea pig could well produce five litters a year. What does a guinea pig in pain or distress look like. The skin of the guinea pig is very thin and sensitive which is why they were extensively used in the cosmetic industry for testing. Regardless of the amount of colors on a guinea pig s fur, the color s will eitheralways be from the red series, the black series, andor simply white. Guinea pigs are rodents, whose ancestors are originally from south america. Is your guinea pig scratching and does he seem bothered by the lesion. If you notice your guinea pig has some bald spots, you might become alarmed. No itching or spots anywhere else tonight, while doing a cage clean, i decided to inspect a spot on harrys butt that looked a little different. Guinea pigs are herbivores and a large portion of their diet should be hay.
External parasites, greasy pig disease, lice, mange, ringworm, swine pox and ticks a variety of diseases, parasites and disorders affect the skin of pigs, and can result in economic losses through suboptimal growth rates cargill and da. The nittygritties of breeding guinea pigs for survival. Avoid guinea pigs with bald patches or red patches of skin. Also check for soiling around the rear end, as this may indicate a problem with diarrhea. How to breed standard guinea pigs with pictures wikihow. Guinea pigs can become obese if fed too much of the wrong food. Guinea pigs are sexually mature at the age of just six weeks so should be separated accordingly. He has a few bare patches where he has lost his hair on towards his back read more. Jul 21, 2010 hair loss due to barbering in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should be bright and curious in attitude, and never lethargic. 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 colours choosing a guinea pig guinea pigs. How to diagnose respiratory problems in guinea pigs.
They originated in the andes of south america, and studies based. Guinea pigs less than a year old should be fed alfalfa hay, which is high in calcium and protein. Check out our guinea pig patch selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our patches shops. My abyssinian guinea pig has bald patches at the back of his ears should i be concerned read more. Unlike hamsters they prefer not to be alone, and enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. Some dogs will kill cavies if given an opportunity so to prevent heartbreak, consider a.
Despite their common name, guinea pigs are not native to guinea, nor are they closely biologically related to pigs, and the origin of the name is still unclear. This week, well look at conditions that cause sores. If you give a gentle tug at the hair, it will fall out unlike mange. Symmetrical hair loss over the hips of females can be due to ovarian cysts. How to deal with common problems in guinea pigs pets4homes. This page is for all those who have lost their beloved piggies to come together to memorialize and pay tribute to their.
Gestation is from 59 to 73 days and average litter size is 14 but can be as many. Adding a few more square feet for two should be possible in most cases. The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig cavia porcellus, also known as cavy or domestic cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family caviidae and the genus cavia. Cavy spirit is a private home which takes in abandoned guinea pigs and places them, healthy and happy, in high quality, permanent homes. A guinea pig s color has nothing to do with its life, except for if it is getting bald patches or patches of color that werent there before. They are very vocal animals and need a companion to talk to. So far the other pig olive has no signs of anything similar on her fur. For reference, im including a link to a page that has several pictures of guinea pigs with fungal infections so you can compare those to what your guinea pig has. There are some short hairs and some flakey yellow skin when you scratch at it. Guinea pig 101 pet articles bosleys by pet valu pet. Asked in guinea pigs are guinea pigs bald when born. A healthy animals receiving good nutrition and exercise feels firm in the body. Guinea pigs in their natural environment enjoy cushion under their footpads provided by matted grass on which they walk. Lots of kids love having them as pets so teaching your children how to look after them is really important.
All guinea pigs shown must arrive on time and only leave after the best in show has been awarded. Wayfair offers a wide variety of structures designed specifically with guinea pigs andor rabbits in mind. Skin conditions in pigs includes the following conditions. Guinea pigs are one of the few species that cannot manufacture their own vitamin c from other nutrients, and therefore have an absolute vitamin c requirement in their diet about 50mgday. Mar 12, 2006 my guinea pig has a small bald spot with a red raised sore, like a lesion. Guinea pigs are physically mature when they reach 1. There are many reasons for hair loss to occur in guinea pigs.
The roan guinea pig is a black colored guinea pig with white hairs mixed evenly throughout its body. Other types of hays can be mixed in to provide variety. Though there are many breeds of guinea pig, only a few breeds are commonly found on the show table as pets. Guinea pigs in damp cold britain are particularly prone to fungal problems. Guinea pigs are wonderful pets to keep they are real characters and are a pleasure to have around. Any hair loss in an older guinea pig should be investigated. Guinea pigs have been and still are used for food in south america. Irritation and itching may also be seen in infected guinea pigs. Guinea pigs over one year should be fed timothy hay.
Ringworm commonly starts around the head area, unlike mites, which often presents as a v shape on the back. Pellets are usually the culprit, so be careful not to overfeed. The two bald patches are in the middle of her abyssinian rossets. Like fox guinea pigs, the markings should be on the eyes, muzzle and belly, and the guinea pig should have little patches of colour known as pea spots next to the ears. You can even get one thats edible, so they can gnaw on it to help keep their teeth healthy. She has two patches on her hind area that have very dry flakey skin and her furr is thining alot were they are at. The most likely cause is something like lice or fleas have a look yourself, and, either take to a vet or try using a shampoo for guineapigs to get rid of them. Young guinea pigs have hair that thins out when they wean as their hair changes from infant fur to adult fur. The agouti pattern is very common in guinea pigs, but mostly stays confined. The guinea pig s coat should be well groomed full, fluffy and smooth looking, with no bare patches. Guinea pigs suffer from a number of skin complaints and it is the general belief among guinea pig owners that skin issues account for most if not all of their trips to the vet. You can usually see them scratching quite often if this is the case. Part of breeding the right pair of guinea pigs is choosing a boar, or male guinea pig, to mate. While minimum cage size requirements for two guinea pigs is 7.
Barbered areas show patchy hair loss with broken hairs present they have been nipped off without complete baldness. We focus on education and public awareness of the proper respect and care that these and all animals deserve. Symptoms are bare patches of hair, sometimes with scaly, crusty or reddening skin. But when she tries to itch it she made a scab under her ear and theres a bald patch there too.
One of the main problems is that guinea pigs come from a dry climate and cannot always cope with the humidity they often experience in captivity. Fungus can cause bald patches, scaly skin, and hair loss. Fungal skin diseases including ringworm, trichophyton mentagrophytes. The cage is important because certain cages can cause injuries. How to identify and treat fungal and mite mange guinea pig stuff. An optimum sized cage is important for your guinea pig because it can offer quite a lot it benefits like. The englishamerican shorthaired, the abyssinian roughcoated. All incontact guinea pigs must be simultaneously treated to prevent reinfection.
When you first notice signs of respiratory problems in your guinea pig, take him to your vet for a diagnosis. Barbering, or chewing on the hair, is sometimes seen when rabbits are housed together or with guinea pigs. There are types of roan guinea pig where other colors have been incorporated due to breeding. The average male guinea pig is a bit larger between 2 and 2 12 pounds, or 900 to 1,200 grams. They are best kept in pairs as one guinea pig gets very lonely. There are many breeds of guinea pig or cavy which have been developed since its domestication ca. Talk to your vet about testing your guinea pig for adrenal problems like cushings disease. Owning and caring for pet guinea pigs pet guardian angels. According to cavy spirit, a guinea pig rescue, the average female guinea pig matures to weigh between 700 and 900 grams, or between 1 12 and 2 pounds. As the condition progresses, the skin can become inflamed, swollen, and hot to touch with scabs. 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. The texel was accepted as a recognized breed by the american rabbit breeders association, inc. Females sometimes show similar bald spots during late pregnancy.
Guinea pigs also like to have a hide house for privacy. Guinea pig 101 pet articles us pet valu pet store pet. Its not unusual to discover a variety of pets share a cavy household. The stress of crowding is likely to intensify the problem. Looking for the ideal guinea pig patches to express yourself.
They are herd animals, and most like to have another guinea pig companion and are sociable. Guinea pigs can shed quite heavily, especially in spring as the weather warms up. Sores, lumps, a change in skin colour, thickening of the skin, or hair loss. It is vital therefore to take a guinea pig with bare patches, scratching or bizarre behaviour to the vet straight away. The texel cavy is characterized by the ringlets or curls that make up its long, soft coat. No one seems to know why they are called guinea pigs.
Nov 04, 2014 many many cases of hairless guinea pigs come to the sanctuary where mites and fungal are a problem. This, of course, could lead to more guinea pigs, so be sure of the sexes if you do not intend to breed. Skin diseases to look for in guinea pigs morpeth herald. The guinea pigs coat should be wellgroomed full, fluffy, and smooth looking, with no bare patches. There is a great deal you need to know before acquiring a cavy. These little creatures are also known as cavy or cuy as livestock. Breeds vary widely in appearance and purpose, ranging from show breeds with long, flowing hair to those in use as model organisms by science. Aug 10, 2019 how to stop a guinea pig from shedding. Female guinea pigs can be sexually mature as early as 4 weeks old. But if you think housing these sweet and cute little furry animals are easy and you can keep them anywhere and in a cage, and then think twice.
No itching or spots anywhere else i was looking over ginny really closely while weighing her, and she has some dryflaky skin, right above her ears and on the nape of her neck. Not all cages are suitable for guinea pigs because they. Guinea pig hair loss how to identify and treat fungal and. Never leave a guinea pig unattended in the presence of a dog, cat, ferret or any other predatory animal. This can cause a furry mess in their cage and around your house and exacerbate allergies. How to check your guinea pigs hair guinea pig illnesses. If you make sure they are kept nice and healthy, guinea pigs can live up to 10 years which means they really do become part of the family. Cage mates must also be checked as lice and mites will migrate to every animal in the habitat. Tonight, while doing a cage clean, i decided to inspect a spot on harrys butt that looked a little different.
The good side is that they are not as prolific as hamsters. Guinea pigs, often called a cavy, make an excellent first pet for children. Skin conditions in pigs can be divided into five groups according to their symptoms. I noticed it at least a few days ago, but didnt think anything of it as the rest of him is fine, and hes been acting normal. Sep 20, 2019 the vitamin deficiency in your guinea pig can cause crusting along the guinea pig upper nose and lip. Jan 05, 2020 guinea pigs are really cute and sweet animals that make a great pet even for the first pet owners. No guinea pig will be allowed on the show if there is any evidence of a skin condition that may not show evidence of mange ie bare patches of skin. If your guinea pig has bald spots, then this could be due to mange mites or a fungal infection, both of which are easily treatable with a special shampoo. Guinea pigs as pets guinea pigs or cavies as they are also known make wonderful pets. The two common guinea pig fur mites are trixacarus caviae sarcoptic mange. If you notice a fungus infection that appears in form of small patches of bare skin, a quarantine should be done on your guinea pig immediately as it can spread to the other guinea pig that are not affected. Today i was going to clean the pig cage and i noticed somethinging diffrent about sweetpea. Keep your guinea pig away from anything electrical that can be chewed.
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