My guinea pig is losing hair and I don't know what to do

[Mounds]

I have three guinea pigs, two that are around a month or so old, and one that is one year old. The one-year-old one is named Oreo, she is an American guinea pig. Ever since I got her, 5 months ago, she had been losing hair (more than the other guinea pigs) but recently she has been losing a lot of hair. It has gotten to the point where just picking her up gets me cover in hair, and brushing my hand across her back pulls out hair. She doesn't have any scabs or bald spots that I can see, but her coat doest look perfect either, its kind of rough? Most American guinea pigs that I've seen have a smooth coat but hers is always kind of disheveled looking. I'm a new guinea pig owner so I don't have much experience with guinea pigs. All I kind find about hair loss is vitamin C deficiency, parasites, and mites. But she isn't scratching much and doesn't have any scabs. I am giving her more vitamin c but in the meantime, I am trying to see if there are any other possibilities. I can bring her to the vet but I just can't afford to bring her to the vet and have it just be a normal thing most guinea pigs do. So if anyone has any experience with this, or thinks that they know what's happening I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Some piggies do shed more than others and it can be normal, but, only a vet is going to be able to tell you if there is a medical issue behind her shedding and whether it is excessive. We have no way of knowing and all you can do is have her checked out.

if she has a healthy balanced diet, then she won’t need extra vitamin c. She will be getting everything she needs from her diet.

 

[Swissgreys]

I agree with @Piggies&buns

If you are concerned a quick vet check might be in order, but if she doesn't have scabs or bald patches and isn't itching. then chances are she is just a heavy shedder.
We had a simial looking piggy and she also had a slightly coaser coat that her cagemates, and she definetley sheded much more than the others.

 

[Siikibam]

One of the girls sheds A LOT when I’ve got her out. The hairs can even be seen sitting on her back!

Have you got a vet fund going? Vet fees can be very expensive so you need to know you can pay them. I’d start one now if you haven’t already.

 

[Freela]

Some guinea pigs shed a LOT. And the amount may vary with the season or just randomly. I have had pigs with minimal shedding and pigs that will coat me in fur every time I hold them. I would keep an eye on her skin for any bald patches, flakes, scabs, etc. It's not normal for pigs to shed such that they get bald patches, other than on their inner upper feet from grooming and the little bald patches behind the ears. But if her coat otherwise looks healthy and you just end up with a lot of fur when you pat her, she may just be a pig whose coat sheds more than your other pigs.

 

[Mounds]

ok thanks for the help, i will make sure to look out for bald patches and scabs!