3 Common Causes Of Hair Loss In Guinea Pigs
If your guinea pig is experiencing hair loss, don't take a wait-and-see approach. Hair loss is not normal and often has an underlying cause that needs to be addressed before normal hair growth will return. Hair loss can usually be treated successfully and there are a number of common causes that are relatively easy for your vet to diagnose. Read on to learn about three common causes of hair loss in guinea pigs.
Parasitic Infection
Parasites can't be seen with the naked eye, so you won't know your guinea pig has a parasitic infection until troubling symptoms begin to appear. Hair loss can be caused by a number of parasites including mange mites. Infection is often due to poor hygiene, but a guinea pig can also develop a parasitic infection from contact with another infected animal. Parasitic infections cause skin itching and inflammation and without treatment, hair loss will occur. If your vet suspects a parasitic infection, they will take a skin scraping from your guinea pig and this will allow them to determine the type of parasite that's present and prescribe an effective anti-parasitic.
Fungal Infection
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that causes hair loss in guinea pigs due to the fungus drying out their skin and causing itching and irritation. Ringworm can cause hair loss on any part of your guinea pig's body, but it is very common on the face. If you suspect your guinea pig has ringworm, separate it from other animals and be careful when handling it, as ringworm can spread to humans. Your vet will prescribe an antifungal cream or oral antifungal to treat your guinea pig.
Barbering
Barbering is the term used when a guinea pig is pulling its own hair out or when another guinea pig is pulling your guinea pig's hair out. Boredom is a major cause of barbering, but it can also occur due to stress and when a guinea pig wants to assert dominance. Your vet can provide guidance for preventing barbering and advise you on how to keep your guinea pig stimulated and how to arrange their living environment to reduce aggressive behaviours.
As you can see, hair loss is often quite simple to deal with, but it's important to seek treatment early to prevent unnecessary suffering. Some conditions that cause hair loss in guinea pigs, such as fungal infections, can spread quickly to other parts of their body, and early intervention tends to promote quicker healing and recovery. If you need vet services, look for one in your area.