Bald patch

[Eliz20]

Hi there,

This morning I've just noticed this patch with no hair behind my guinea pigs ear. The skin also looks patchy. The other ear has hair in the same place, does anyone know what this could be?

 

[Claire W]

Hi, it could be the start of a fungal infection. I’d have your piggy eat checked for the correct diagnosis and treatment

 

[Eliz20]

Thanks, how do they get a fungal infection? And is it passed from pig to pig as I have four living together?

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

The vet will need to take a skin scraping and test. It’s best you get seen ASAP as you’ll need to quickly get on top of any infection. If it is fungal (ringworm) please follow the amazing guides on here. You’ll need to wash everything. One of mine got it, but with the correct veterinary treatment and thorough cleaning you can get on top of it. It’s just a big task!
Be aware that fungal infections like ringworm are zoonotic. I caught it from one of mine.

As it’s highly contagious, it spreads rapidly from pig to pig, us to pigs or objects contaminated. If you bring in a new pig they could have carried it in?
Also older pigs or those with a lowered immune system can develop it.

 

[Siikibam]

As above, get your piggy seen. Meanwhile, have a read of the guide that was mentioned above.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Thanks, how do they get a fungal infection? And is it passed from pig to pig as I have four living together?

Fungal spores are air bourne so in theory can blow in from anywhere and can remain in the environment for a very long time, up to a couple of years. Fungal infections can spread easily between piggies.

It maybe a different problem she has such as mites, which also spread quickly between pigs, a vet will be able to diagnose the cause and give appropriate treatment.

Unfortunately piggies are very prone to skin issues.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,

This morning I've just noticed this patch with no hair behind my guinea pigs ear. The skin also looks patchy. The other ear has hair in the same place, does anyone know what this could be?

Please have your piggy vet checked during regular opening hours. We can only guess, and that won't help you. Fungal and skin parasites require different treatment and you want to rather do it right first time round than starting a long running battle due to false economy.
If your guinea pigs are newly bought, you can reclaim any vet cost from the pet shop you got them from.

More information in this link here: New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites