Wilson's fur

[sally]

I noticed yesterday that Wilson has developed a bald strip right down the centre of his back. It is completely bald, but not sore or scaly, so I don't think it's mites, and his hutch mate is looking brilliant. He also has a very healthy appetite.

Do you think he could have lost his fur from the other piggy trying to mount him (which happens quite frequently!)??

Sally

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

I am not sure really Sally, could you get us a photo. Also what breed is Wilson? I just know Rexes (Teddys in the US) tend to suffer from breakon backs (breaks in the fur) due to heat etc.

If you haven't already check out www.gorgeousguineas.com under identification to see if you might have noticed any of the other symptoms of fungal skin. Also if you are in the uk you can get products to help, and even if you are not you could e-mail the site owner Chrissie for advice as she knows allot about skin.


There is also a link about this here:
web.onetel.net.uk/~petergurney/b.html#BROKEN_BACK which says it could be a mild fungal condition. Again I really recommend getting in touch with Chrissie at Gorgeous guineas as she may be able to sort you out with something to help wih it as it doesn;t sound like putting pure aloe vera on is a good idea.

All the best

[sally]

Wilson is long-haired, and has to have regular trims. The good news is that his fur has started to grow back now, but he's lost a lot of weight, even though he seems perky and is eating well.

Over the winter all my pigs were indoors, and now that spring has come they are all outside again, and I wonder if maybe it has been a bit chilly and he has used up his excess body fat keeping warm. The others all look wonderful, and Wilson had a lovely run and munch out on the lawn today, so hopefully now the wweather is warming up, he will start to gain some weight again.

By the way, Susie, your new pigs are gorgeous! Zippy looks a bit lit my Milton although a paler shade.

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

I think its best to ask for some advice from Chrissie even if his furr has grown back, especially if he has lost weight too. It could be just the cold, but it could also be something more serious. Often we only get the slightest warning our piggys are ill. I think if he were mine I would want someone (a rodentologist) to take a look at him... just to be sure.

Thanks for tyhe compliments on the new boys. They are darlings arn't they?

[sally]

It seems that Wilson's fur was a side-effect of a much more serious condition. I said he'd lost a lot of weight, which was really strange because he was eating well and seemed cheerful. However, just over a week ago, he'd lost so much weight, I found him shivering, and brought him indoors for some TLC together with his little pal.

He still had a good appetite, but had started drinking lots more than normal. It took me a while to realise that he either had diabetes or a kidney problem, which is untreatable. He suddenly went down-hill very rapidly, and died last Thursday morning. He wasn't even two years old.

On the Wednesday night, I realised he wasn't going to make it, and decided to take him to the vets the next day to end any pain he might be in. I put him on my lap for a cuddle - he was still trying to eat, although by this stage he didn't have the energy to chew, and just mumbled chunks of carrot around his mouth until it fell out again. He was struggling to drink from the water bottle, so I fed him water from a tea-sthingy which he lapped up eagerly. I felt terrible because I couldn't take him straight to the vets (by this time it was 9pm), but was sure that he would die in his sleep that night. I was very distressed to find him still alive on Thursday morning, but lying on his side. When he saw me, he tried to squeak, poor little thing, which was really upsetting as the vets wasn't due to open for another two hours, however, half an hour later, he'd gone. I find it almost unbearable to think that he had suffered all night, but my partner thinks he wanted to stay alive to see me again one last time.

In this case, there was no treatment available for Wilson, but it just shows how well guinea pigs mask illnesses, which is a nightmare for caring pig owners.

[julie]

So sad, I am very sorry for your loss.

[Susie (Barmy4Boars)]

So sorry that this has happened Sally. Piggys do mask illness and often we only get the slightest sign there is somethings wrong which is why it is so important that when we do we get them straight to a rodent expert, just to rule out any underlying problem. Once again my heart goes out to you. So sorry for your loss.

Because this was some kind of unidentified illness i would advise you keep a very close eye on his cage mates and if possible get them checked out just incase this was something contageous. Wouldn't want you to suffer any more sadness.

regards

[kimberly]

i am so sorry for your loss, i to have lost one of mine.it was devestating .and i do believe she wanted to see you one last time. dont feel bad you did all you could.

[julie]

So sad.

[shiltontwister]

I am so sorry for your loss.