Comments on: Guinea pig: Hair Loss plus weight Loss?? HELP!!!?

By: Aleasha C

Aleasha C — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

While there are many possible reasons for hair loss, the most common reason by far is microscopic mange mites, a painful parasitic condition easily treated with ivermectin. Fungal infections are a close runner-up. Naturally occurring bald spots behind the ears or shedding hair is natural hair loss. "Hair cutting" by another artistic, jealous, or bored pig, and war wounds or abrasions are mechanical hair loss. Parasites are extremely common. Treat any pig with suspected mange mites with ivermectin.

By: Eeny

Eeny — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The stress of giving birth can cause the outbreak of mites in guinea pigs. She needs to be treated with either Ivermectin, Advantage, or Revolution. Get her to a vet that is knowledgeable about guinea pigs to help you treat her. Good luck, mites are annoying to deal with!

By: Love Changes Everything

Love Changes Everything — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

When guinea pigs start showing symptoms, I would get them checked out by a vet ASAP… I hope she'll be okay, it may just be hormones but better safe than sorry. Any time in doubt, take the critter to the animal hospital… good luck

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

As the previous poster said, she probably has mites. Giving birth can cause stress, and stress often causes an outbreak. Seperating the babies does NOT help, because it will make her even more stressed and anxious.
If you want to know more about mites (the previous poster gave you almost NO information) then go to http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html where you will find the symptoms and treatment methods.

Fungal infections rarely cause weight loss. I'm guessing she's losing weight due to stress. Please watch her carefully and make sure she's eating and pooping normally. If she isn't? Take her to the vet immediately! She could have a URI (upper respiratory infection), which can be life-threatening.

I would /highly/ suggest treating for mites, though, even if you don't think she has them. Almost every pig has a small amount of mites that the immune system can generally keep under control. Don't worry if you don't see any improvement in the first week, sometimes it takes as many as 5 or 6 weekly doses to completely rid her of the painful mites.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

You need to take her to a vet http://www.guinealynx.info/index.html

She sounds ill.