Shedding little bunches of fur?

[squeaksandcarrots]

Lately Penny has been shedding tiny clumps of fur. I can try to get a photo if I see another one. What could be the reason for this? Penny is acting normal overall. It has gotten warmer here recently; could that be it?

 

[Freela]

Lately Penny has been shedding tiny clumps of fur. I can try to get a photo if I see another one. What could be the reason for this? Penny is acting normal overall. It has gotten warmer here recently; could that be it?

As long as you aren't seeing bald spots, it's probably a seasonal shed. Mine shed like nuts in the spring, even though they live indoors (how do they even know it's time?) But if you're seeing scratching, bald patches, if the fur has skin tags/roots attached, it's worth a vet trip to check for mites or fungal skin problems.

 

[weepweeps]

Hope it’s just normal spring shedding and nothing else going on.

 

[Wiebke]

Lately Penny has been shedding tiny clumps of fur. I can try to get a photo if I see another one. What could be the reason for this? Penny is acting normal overall. It has gotten warmer here recently; could that be it?

Hi!

Some piggies moult more noticeably than others; you will generally notice more hairs in spring and autumn after a larger weather change. Some piggies can shed lots of hairs but somehow not develop any bald patches because the shedding is evenly over all the whole body. The intensity is individual and not breed specific.

If there are bald areas, then there is either a medical, fungal or parasitic issue, which should ideally be vet checked.

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

I got a couple photos, here’s what they look like:

I also didn’t see any bald spots on Penny!

 

[Wiebke]

I got a couple photos, here’s what they look like:
View attachment 174902View attachment 174903
I also didn’t see any bald spots on Penny!

This doesn't look like seasonal shedding which is just single hairs. Keep an eye on it. It can be just dry skin flakes but could be the very start of a fungal skin infection. If it is the latter, a bald and crusty patch should be come visible in the coming days.

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

Could you tell me what could cause a fungal skin infection? Thanks!

 

[Freela]

Could you tell me what could cause a fungal skin infection? Thanks!

They can catch it from another guinea pig (or person, in the case of ringworm.) Fungal spores could come in on hay or bedding. They could chronically have some spores which became active due to stress, temperature change, illness, etc. It's not an uncommon problem, unfortunately.