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How to care for large bald patches (cause established)

minnie_ozzy

New Born Pup
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Jan 27, 2022
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Hi there! One of my piggies, Minnie, has been plagued by some health problem nearly her whole life :((
For the past 6 months or so, she's had slowly growing bald patches over her body. I've just moved them to my new residence, where the vets actually seem to know what they're doing with guinea pigs! We were getting nowhere with our previous vets.

We've ruled out mites, fungal infection, ringworm, and I've been supplementing her with extra vitamin C on the vet's advice on the slim chance that a deficiency is causing this, however, it has not made a difference. Which means that the only cause left that the vet thinks is likely is a hormonal problem caused by ovary cysts, which lines up with her nipples also being swollen. Given her age (4), how she's quite a thin pig (but still healthy thankfully), and that she seems very content, spaying her seems an unnecessary risk, but I will be discussing my options with the vet :))

Onto the bald patches! Unfortunately, they have worsened quite dramatically in the past few months (I wasn't her primary carer until January), with 2 separate 7cm and 6cm x5cm patches starting to join up on her side, an almost completely bare stomach, and a patch on her jaw. I've seen around that skinny pigs need moisturising with coconut oil, and was wondering whether I should take similar steps, or if the fact she still has most of her fur would keep her skin nourished (her skin looks completely healthy)? Although it's winter now, she lives in an insulated outdoor cage (living in the East of England, where for most of the winter it's 0-10 degrees C), and doesn't seem to mind the cold as much as her (fat and fluffy) brother! But I am concerned about how to keep her warm in future years if she keeps losing her fur (which the vet says is likely), as unfortunately, my landlord has made it clear that they can't live indoors, and I desperately don't want to have to give her to a family member, where I won't be able to see her :((

All advice and suggestions are appreciated, including anything else I should consider bringing up to her vet! :))
 
Obviously the medical issue with cysts will need discussing with your vet. Let us know what your vet says.

In terms of moisturising - I believe (from the owners of skinnies on here) that skinnies actually don’t need a lot done to their skin and I would not recommend your put anything on your piggy’s skin without there being an actual need (ie skin condition) and without your vets say so.

In terms of keeping outdoor piggies warm, they are things which are probably already doing given you’ve got ouf dof piggies but - lots of layers of insulation on the hutch, lots of hay inside the hutch and stuffed into hides, and several snugglesafe heatpads, moving the hutch somewhere sheltered if possible (turning it to reduce draughts, putting in a shed etc)
 
If she does have ovarian cysts, my Betsy had a full spay at the age of 4 and sailed through it. Hope this puts your mind at rest. There are other alternatives like injections you may be able to discipline with the vet.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I had a 4 year old piggy a few years ago and the vet said to me “well he is 4” making it sound like that was really old. I told the vet I felt that 4 was middle aged. And my piggy lived to over 7. So don’t discount an operation on the grounds of age. She could have many many more happy today’s ahead of her.
 
Thank you everyone! I will definitely bring up the option of spaying with my vet, I imagine that she was going to suggest it anyway, but obviously trying the less invasive options first. And I'll definitely look into heat pads! Thank you!
 
Welcome to the forum.
I have had 3 sows spayed, 2 were 4+, the other was younger.
All sailed through without any problems.

Let us know how things go.
Holding you in my thoughts
 
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