Need Help Identifying Cause of Grooming Leading to Hair Loss/Bald Spot

[nimue004]

Hello!
I wanted to get some ideas and advice on how to handle a new development with 2 of our 3 young boars (9 mos and over 1 year old). I've noticed the youngest one, Nugget, grooming the oldest one, Chip, more and more lately, but today I noticed something looked off about Chip's bum...
After watching Nugget doing some grooming in that area, Chip not seeming too bothered by it, I went to check him and he's now got a completely bald spot on his bum, with what looks like scabs.
I'm wondering if this seems like mites or fungus, and Nugget is just being a good friend, trying to relieve Chip's itching, or if this is a normal dominance thing?
Chip is a different variety than the other two, I think Teddy Bear, whereas Nugget and Chomp are most definitely American, if that makes a difference with fur/skin issues.
This is my first time using this forum so I will try to figure out how to post pics...
I appreciate any advice given!

 

[Piggies&buns]

The option to post pictures will appear shortly as a ‘attach files’ button below the text box. As a new member it will take a little while for it to appear.

All we can suggest is a vet check to find out if there is something going on.

Is he actually grooming or Is Nugget trying to eat chip’s poops? Doing this can be a way of settling an upset tummy - have you seen any signs of such in Nugget?

Do keep a close eye on your piggies relationship and ensure your cage covers at least three square metres given the difficulties in keeping a boar trio together long term.

 

[nimue004]

The area Nugget is grooming/chewing at is higher up, not where I've seen him go to catch Chip's poops. To date, they just seem to have friendly dominance play, with Chip being in the lead.
We are currently in the market for another large cage, and giving them lots of run time outside of theirs, so if it is just a dominance thing hopefully that will solve it!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Once you can get a picture on, itll at least make it easier for us to see what you mean!
We cannot diagnose anything though and any medical angle always needs to come first.

Dominance, particularly with teen boars, is always going to happen.
When it comes to trying a boar trio, it’s always best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best - having a separation plan but hoping they will find a way to make it work. Sadly experience of the forum is that 90% of boar trios fail before all piggies reach adulthood.

 

[Free Ranger]

If the boys are kept as a trio keep an eye on behaviours - especially 2 ganging up on one. My boy on the left was the largest of 3 brothers but was bullied by both!

When (now neutered) George arrived here he initially had a lukewarm reception from my sow. She was very literally 'standoffish' and as it turned out he had mites. He was progressively more itchy and he was shedding a lot of fur from all over - you couldn't tell by looking at him but just from the fur he left behind. It turned out once they had both been treated with the ivermectin she actually quite liked him! That's my experience - she didn't 'help' him with his itching she just kept a wise distance until his passengers were dealt with. New pigs can often bring something in... then everypig has to be treated!

It's not a hard and fast rule but itching/scabbing/hair loss on the flanks or back half is more typical of mites/lice - the front half and face is more typical of fungus. Owners often notice balding or scabbing round the eyes, nose, cheeks etc. with a fungus. However, one of my old girls got a fungal problem that resulted in hair shedding from all over her - no scabbing though. So it can be either way.

Sometimes a piggie can be a fur chewer. Longer haired varieties can be trimmed by enthusiastic cage mates. I can't guess at why! It'll be the chew-ees reaction to the chewer as well as their other behaviours that will give you more of a clue to the nature of the relationship. Check out the forum link on barbering:
Barbering ( Eating Hair)

Good luck - and keep us updated!

 

[nimue004]

They've been so cooperative with each other, I'll be so sad if they end up at odds!
We plan on buying a second cage to attach to the first one, so we can close off 4 separate areas if need be.
How long does it usually take to get pic permissions? Longer if not in the UK?

 

[Free Ranger]

Aah don't fret x
They might all yet live as one big happy family and even if they naturally change their minds as everyone matures you will be keeping them happy by introducing the split you will see appearing. They'll be happy either way because that will be the way they choose... we just have to go along with them. Usually if people are worried about feisty boars the advice is that if there is an all out fight and blood is drawn then they don't/won't want to live together. You're not there yet!

 

[nimue004]

If the boys are kept as a trio keep an eye on behaviours - especially 2 ganging up on one. My boy on the left was the largest of 3 brothers but was bullied by both!

When (now neutered) George arrived here he initially had a lukewarm reception from my sow. She was very literally 'standoffish' and as it turned out he had mites. He was progressively more itchy and he was shedding a lot of fur from all over - you couldn't tell by looking at him but just from the fur he left behind. It turned out once they had both been treated with the ivermectin she actually quite liked him! That's my experience - she didn't 'help' him with his itching she just kept a wise distance until his passengers were dealt with. New pigs can often bring something in... then everypig has to be treated!

It's not a hard and fast rule but itching/scabbing/hair loss on the flanks or back half is more typical of mites/lice - the front half and face is more typical of fungus. Owners often notice balding or scabbing round the eyes, nose, cheeks etc. with a fungus. However, one of my old girls got a fungal problem that resulted in hair shedding from all over her - no scabbing though. So it can be either way.

Sometimes a piggie can be a fur chewer. Longer haired varieties can be trimmed by enthusiastic cage mates. I can't guess at why! It'll be the chew-ees reaction to the chewer as well as their other behaviours that will give you more of a clue to the nature of the relationship. Check out the forum link on barbering:
Barbering ( Eating Hair)

Good luck - and keep us updated!

Chip was our first, then we adopted Chomp and Nugget, who were surrendered together by a family who complained of allergies (all three cause hives on me but I just deal with it lol). Kept them quarantined for 2 weeks, then introduced them. Chomp has always been the 3rd wheel/odd one out - way more interested in eating than dominance
The initial meeting between Chip and Nugget was a lot of Chip spraying Nugget as much as he could and putting on a big show of dominance. Ever since, he's been like Chip's little minion. That's why I'm worried it's a mite thing or some other skin issue, Chip seems totally fine with Nugget grooming him.
I want to post pictures as an example but it still won't let me. Going to contact the rescue for advice/vet referrals if I notice it getting bigger over the next couple of days in any case...

 

[nimue004]

Ok I can finally add pics! First 3 are of Chip's bum, last two are Nugget, and all 3 of them relaxing together.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do have that checked by a vet.
How long have you had them?

In terms of the relationship, do everything you can to make sure there aren’t any issues. A big cage, covering at least 32 square feet/3 square metres, and ensure all your hides have two doors (no single exit enclosed hideys) as this can minimise the risk of one being cornered by the other.
The outsider situation and one being left out can be an issue.

 

[Free Ranger]

I think you might need a vet check here too. His skin is looking crustier than is normal so it's definitely worth a check. It looks like it's above the grease gland.

My pigs unite around a hay cube... until one eats their way inside and claims it!