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Grey clumps and hair falling out

A

Apollo0013

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My guinea pig's rear fur is clumpy and has a lot of grey clumps (see in pictures) in it, and when I try to remove the clumps they take some fur with them (picture 4). Does this cause him any pain? What can I do about it? What is going on!

https://imgur.com/a/7ZhsYq1

Any advice or information is helpful
 
If you are at all worried a visit to the vet would be the best thing. A vet would rather see a piggie with nothing wring and an anxious owner than an owner with a piggie who has left it too late.
 
Sticky stuff could be from the pigs grease gland, the dandruffy-type stuff could be fungal, especially if fur is coming out easily.
These vids might be of interest
- Scottys Animals video about grease gland
- Cavy central fungal #101
 
Watching that cavy central video, she does say that if fur is coming out with hair attached then it could be mites.
 
Apollo0013 said:
My guinea pig's rear fur is clumpy and has a lot of grey clumps (see in pictures) in it, and when I try to remove the clumps they take some fur with them (picture 4). Does this cause him any pain? What can I do about it? What is going on!

https://imgur.com/a/7ZhsYq1

Any advice or information is helpful
Click to expand...

Hi

Please see a vet for a hands-on diagnosis.

Do you have other species pets, too? In this case, you may be dealing with fur mites (cheyletiella parasitivorax). It is not a parasite specific to guinea pigs but one of the few that can jump species and affect them, too. Hay mites (chirodiscoides caviae) look more like somebody has turned a pepper mill over the back of a guinea pig; they are species specific.
However, it could also be a fungal skin infection (not necessarily ringworm); there are other milder forms out there as well.

I can only guess and not diagnose just from a picture, not that I am qualified to. Please accept that we do not support home treatment on spec because it can easily make things worse and can even be fatal. Our advice has to follow the rules of the country this forum is based in. Skin parasites and fungal require different treatment.

Here is a US based link, which may help you. Guinea Lynx :: Fur Mites
 
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