Bald spot behind ears?

[AnnaMC24]

So I have noticed with one of my Guinea pigs that she has a bald spot behind both ears. It’s not ringworm because it hasn’t spread to other parts of her body nor to my other one (plus I know what is looks like from working at petsmart). But I’ve noticed her shedding a lot more within the past few months than she has in the past. She’s not scratching anymore than usually but I just noticed the bald spots probably within the past month. I'm not sure what to do about it or if it’s anything to worry about.

 

[Wiebke]

So I have noticed with one of my Guinea pigs that she has a bald spot behind both ears. It’s not ringworm because it hasn’t spread to other parts of her body nor to my other one (plus I know what is looks like from working at petsmart). But I’ve noticed her shedding a lot more within the past few months than she has in the past. She’s not scratching anymore than usually but I just noticed the bald spots probably within the past month. I'm not sure what to do about it or if it’s anything to worry about.

Hi and welcome

Guinea pigs regulatetheir body temperature via the blood flow through their ears; that is why they have an individually shaped and sized bald area behind the ears.

As a rule of thumb, if things are symmetrical on a guinea pig (i.e. have the same shape and feel on both sides of the body), then it is highly likely normal.

Here are our very helpful guides for learning about the body quirks in guinea pigs to work out what is normal for your own piggies, so you can then spot any changes in your life-long weekly weigh-ins and health checks, which are part of your important health monitoring regime so you can spot developing problems early on and address them when they can be treated medically instead of when they have turned into s desperate fight for life.
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Weight - Monitoring and Management
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely
Early Signs Of Illness

These guides are all part of our very comprehensive practical information resource for new owners. You may want to bookmark the link, browse (we have some rather fascinating things in there together with some that can really make a difference in quality and length of life), read and re-read at need. You will get different things out of some the guides depening on the level of experience.
Here is the link: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[AnnaMC24]

Hi and welcome

Guinea pigs regulatetheir body temperature via the blood flow through their ears; that is why they have an individually shaped and sized bald area behind the ears.

As a rule of thumb, if things are symmetrical on a guinea pig (i.e. have the same shape and feel on both sides of the body), then it is highly likely normal.

Here are our very helpful guides for learning about the body quirks in guinea pigs to work out what is normal for your own piggies, so you can then spot any changes in your life-long weekly weigh-ins and health checks, which are part of your important health monitoring regime so you can spot developing problems early on and address them when they can be treated medically instead of when they have turned into s desperate fight for life.
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Weight - Monitoring and Management
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely
Early Signs Of Illness

These guides are all part of our very comprehensive practical information resource for new owners. You may want to bookmark the link, browse (we have some rather fascinating things in there together with some that can really make a difference in quality and length of life), read and re-read at need. You will get different things out of some the guides depening on the level of experience.
Here is the link: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you so much. I did tons of research before getting them a year ago and never came across this!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much. I did tons of research before getting them a year ago and never came across this!

You may find our guides very helpful; they are very practical and reflect our long term experiences as owners as well as members on this forum. We have really had the time and space to put a lot of the advice making the rounds online to the test - and a lot of it hasn't worked out. What has, you can find in our guides.
The depth of practical experience is pretty unique since most places don't have that kind of long term consistency and the numbers to back up our collective experience on here. You may also struggle to find a more extensive and comprehensive information resource right now. You can access the full resource easiest via the Guides shortcut on the top bar.