Hello, I have noticed my 4 yo guinea pig lost almost all of her belly hair; I can't tell what it's the cause of it, she appears to also struggle using her back legs so can anyone help me out here? I will schedule a vet appointment but maybe there's something I can do in the meanwhile?
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Guinea pig bald belly
- Thread starter baxterbr
- Start date
Please do have her seen by a vet. There could be many reasons for hair loss from parasites (although you would expect to see that elsewhere) to ovarian cysts
Any loss of use of her legs will require a vet diagnosis also as again there are multiple causes
I hope she is ok
Any loss of use of her legs will require a vet diagnosis also as again there are multiple causes
I hope she is ok
Oh my - that is some serious hair loss.
Does her cage mate have any signs of hair loss?
I can only agree with piggies&buns and say you really need to schedule an appointment to have her seen by the vet.
Does her cage mate have any signs of hair loss?
I can only agree with piggies&buns and say you really need to schedule an appointment to have her seen by the vet.
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
Well the poor little lady! Usually when people talk about hair loss they mean thinning out or little bald patches but that's very dramatic. I can't say I've ever seen anything like that before. Presumably the top of her is looking completely fine and not shedding?
It's definitely going to have to be a vet appointment. In your shoes I would also take her cage mate just in case it's something contagious. Many owners take the companion along to the vet anyway to keep the patient company. I use a cat box rather than a small pet carrier as it's big enough for two.
You say she's about 4. Have you had her for a few years or is she a new arrival to you?
What bedding is she kept on and has anything changed recently in the cage - perhaps a change of washing liquid for washing fleeces or fabric tunnels etc.
Her skin in the pics is actually looking pretty normal - not red, inflamed or sore in any way as far as I can see. This is good at least.
Have you noticed her grooming or nibbling her tummy in any way? Or if you have another piggy have they been grooming her?
Finally, when did you notice this? I get the impression from your post that you turned her over quite recently and just thought "OH NO!" Now that's fair enough - we don't routinely turn them over as they don't like it, and personally I'm not a piggy cuddler so I don't know if I'd spot anything happening myself, but...
Did someone point it out to you that she might have some hair loss underneath that prompted you to look?
Did you seen any of the hair in the enclosure? Maybe in clumps or just general shedding over time? Because that's a lot of hair missing. Or was there no sign...
The reason I ask is because one thing we have to consider is whether a housemate, boyfriend, brother etc has actually clippered your poor girl as a prank. If a person said "Hey have you noticed..." I'd be terribly shocked of course, but also a bit suspicious (and would check the bins for fur) (and her nipples for damage).
It's probably not this - please do see the vet - it's important she's checked out as some of the causes of hair loss can cause discomfort or distress for piggy. Tell the vet as much of her history as you can, even if you don't think it's especially relevant. It can help to make some notes before you go. Until then all I can suggest is you give her soft surfaces to lie on and put her hay in front of them because if I had to sleep on hay on a bare belly I'd be itchy.
Please do keep us updated x
It's definitely going to have to be a vet appointment. In your shoes I would also take her cage mate just in case it's something contagious. Many owners take the companion along to the vet anyway to keep the patient company. I use a cat box rather than a small pet carrier as it's big enough for two.
You say she's about 4. Have you had her for a few years or is she a new arrival to you?
What bedding is she kept on and has anything changed recently in the cage - perhaps a change of washing liquid for washing fleeces or fabric tunnels etc.
Her skin in the pics is actually looking pretty normal - not red, inflamed or sore in any way as far as I can see. This is good at least.
Have you noticed her grooming or nibbling her tummy in any way? Or if you have another piggy have they been grooming her?
Finally, when did you notice this? I get the impression from your post that you turned her over quite recently and just thought "OH NO!" Now that's fair enough - we don't routinely turn them over as they don't like it, and personally I'm not a piggy cuddler so I don't know if I'd spot anything happening myself, but...
Did someone point it out to you that she might have some hair loss underneath that prompted you to look?
Did you seen any of the hair in the enclosure? Maybe in clumps or just general shedding over time? Because that's a lot of hair missing. Or was there no sign...
The reason I ask is because one thing we have to consider is whether a housemate, boyfriend, brother etc has actually clippered your poor girl as a prank. If a person said "Hey have you noticed..." I'd be terribly shocked of course, but also a bit suspicious (and would check the bins for fur) (and her nipples for damage).
It's probably not this - please do see the vet - it's important she's checked out as some of the causes of hair loss can cause discomfort or distress for piggy. Tell the vet as much of her history as you can, even if you don't think it's especially relevant. It can help to make some notes before you go. Until then all I can suggest is you give her soft surfaces to lie on and put her hay in front of them because if I had to sleep on hay on a bare belly I'd be itchy.
Please do keep us updated x
Yes, the top of her is looking even fluffier than before, and I only noticed the hair loss yesterday when I was about to clip her nails. The other guinea pig seems fine but I will be taking both of them to the vet just to make sure.
I've had this guinea pig since she was like only a few months old from a rescue. For bedding I am using pine shavings and it's been this way since I got her (she's my first guinea pig) And I really haven't been making any changes in the cage. My guinea pig does groom pretty often around the area but I don't think all that hair loss is caused by overgrooming.
Her nipples don't seem crusty or anything so I don't think it's ovarian cyst, also she didn't seem to be in pain when I was touching her belly.
Anyways I will get her to the vet and keep you guys updated.
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
Thanks for that and good luck to you all 
(and I'm really relieved you didn't put something like "it was my B****** little Brother!")
(and I'm really relieved you didn't put something like "it was my B****** little Brother!")
Hi and welcome
I would recommend to have her vet checked for potential ovarian cysts (in which the hair loss is hormonal) or a problem that is impacting on her mobility (in which case it would be mechanicaland/or urine scald or due to self-barbering if there is a pain issue involved).
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
PS: Please switch to aspen shavings if possible. Pine is not recommended for guinea pigs due to fumes it gives off. Keep in mind that they are very low to the ground and that their respiratory system is very small. Piggies are mainly gut with a very small upper body.
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview
Freela
Senior Guinea Pig
I would also ask the vet to try to look at skin under the microscope for fungal signs. Are there any skin flakes? I had one piggie who lost some fur on her lower belly and, in her case, she had a yeast infection of the skin. We had to treat her with antifungal bath and cream. Hopefully the vet visit will shed some light on the situation. In the meantime, I don't think there's much to do. Best of luck to you and hope it's an easy fix!
Merab
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Just offering support
Update: I went with her to a vet and they gave me a topical nystatin cream to treat her fungus infections. Apparently her skin was pretty irritated and it was not that visibile from the picture provided, she actually had some infection close to her bottom leg. So far it seems to be working, she's much more active and the irritations are healing. I don't know if her fur is gonna grow back but I guess we'll have to see. I have also recently switched to aspen shavings instead of pine
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
That's great they could identify the problem and the treatment looks like it's working! I hope her fur can grow back but as long as she's not irritated and is comfortable when she lays down that's the important thing. Well done on your continued monitoring of her, she'll appreciate that 
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
Aw that’s good news, I hope she’s better very soon 