Fur Excessive Shedding - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Jenileigh** · #1 09-19-09, 12:45 am

What is normal shedding for cavies? My two are Abyssinian and they shed so bad that normal petting sends hair everywhere.....as in you breathe it in, it gets in their eyes and all over you. I didn't notice this in the beginning.

Any advice-if this is normal- on how to cut down on the shedding? I have been trying to rub them a lot hoping to shed them down but nothing really seems to help.

**ku_gal** · #2 09-19-09, 06:53 am

I was going to ask the same. I have two abbies myself, and one in particular seems to be having excessive shedding too. She is white so it really shows up.

**sophistacavy** · #3 09-19-09, 09:11 pm

Well, there is always the FurMinator brush (use the smaller purple one for cats) that you could try.

Are they consistently getting their veggies twice every day?

I've also heard somewhere that you can use one of those sticky lint roller sheet things on pets.

Also, are you bathing them at all? If so, how often are you doing it?

**angiekay** · #4 09-19-09, 10:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophistacavy

Well, there is always the FurMinator brush (use the smaller purple one for cats) that you could try.

Are they consistently getting their veggies twice every day?

I've also heard somewhere that you can use one of those sticky lint roller sheet things on pets.

Also, are you bathing them at all? If so, how often are you doing it?

How often is it recommended to bathe them? I've had my three boars almost 2 months, bathed them when I got them, but haven't since, I thought I read somewhere not to do it too often as it can dry out their skin?

Two of my boars shed really bad, like when you pet them, hair just flies! The other one's coat doesn't do that? He's younger though, don't know if that has anything to do with it.

**Jenileigh** · #5 09-19-09, 11:03 pm

I have not bathed mine at all, I was not under the impression that the Abyssinian needed to be bathed. Yes, they are getting their veggies twice a day. They are very healthy, they just shed so badly. We have them out a lot and we pet them a lot but nothing seems to slow it down. I thought at first it was because of the summer time but here it is fall and they are shedding the same amount.

**sophistacavy** · #6 09-19-09, 11:42 pm

Oh yeah, that's what I meant about bathing. I was just making sure that you weren't doing it too often.

**Jenileigh** · #7 09-21-09, 01:14 am

No ideas anyone?

I did post pictures of our new Cavy Cage on our blog at

Kingdom Academy

in case anyone is interested.

maryanna50 · #8 10-09-09, 02:38 pm

my girls only shed if they are stressed out so try making sure you have them in a calm quite area at first.

**CavyLuver516** · #9 10-09-09, 03:05 pm

It's not good to bathe guinea pigs a lot, you should only bathe them if they are noticably dirty or really need it.

**Jenileigh** · #10 10-09-09, 10:02 pm

I've not bathed them and they are not stressed out. They are happy in their new home, I'm doing everything recommended here. The hair just flies everywhere when we hold them, it's as bad as a rabbit molting. I don't understand it, its been happening for months...its an ongoing thing.

**Slave to the Wheek** · #11 10-10-09, 02:23 am

Short haired pigs shed far more than long haired pigs. However, they should not shed that much.

The chances of pet store pigs having mites or lice or both is about 90%. Mites can linger on your pig for months or years before a flare-up gets them going again. Things like being moved around a lot, being shipped etc..any kind of stressful situation can also lower their immunity and increase the amount of mites.

Once your home has been exposed to pet store pigs, the whole lot of them will have to be treated. Remember, they treat these animals as a product and pet store pigs are disposable and easily replaced. The breeders only keep the pigs for only a few weeks, and any that get sick are fed to animals or 'disposed' rather than spend money on medication since the 'investment' isn't worth it.

It's usually recommended treating pigs for mites (go to www.guinealynx.com for mite information) even if they don't look like they need it. It won't hurt them and it can really make a difference in their comfort level, even if the mites aren't that bad yet.

Even pigs who don't get bald patches can be carrying mites. Mites are notoriously hard to get rid of completely. Fortunately mite treatment is safe, cheap and easy.

If you have a vet for them, and he trusts you, you can call in and to have him call in a prescription at his counter. You'll need to treat all guinea pigs and dogs, since they both get the same mite (cats are safe). I did this and it's saved me several office visit charges just for him to weigh the pig and tell me they look healthy. The first time I took my affected pig in, the Dr. said he didn't think the tiny bald spot was mites, but in veterinary protocol they are instructed to treat for mites FIRST before exploring any other issues. So he agreed to the prescription. It solved the problem and his bald spot started growing back in just a few days , and he stopped shedding like crazy.

If you tell the vet you want to rule out mites before coming in for a vet visit, that helps too. Be very firm about the excessive hair loss being abnormal and a worry.

If they haven't been to a vet yet, this is a good time to find one that is "cavy savvy". It's a quest that takes some serious searching and not good to do when you have an emergency situation. Every guinea pig owner should have a designated vet who specializes in guinea pigs. (they are hard to find and many vet offices will tell you they are 'certified' for guinea pigs..but that doesn't mean anything)

You can get ivermectin online, but I've always been afraid to figure out the dosing on my own.

Lastly, the product called "Revolution" for puppies is also now approved for use for mite treatment. Since dogs and pigs carry the same mite, it will work on piggies. There are a few vets who will recommend it instead of Ivermectin. It's way more expensive than Ivermectin, but it's also easier to get and dose, since you just put one tiny tiny drop in the skin area behind one of the ears. Follow up with a second drop a month later and that should be it.

Excessive hair loss can also be caused by other things, such as skin fungus caused by moist environment and allergies to bedding (cedar/eucalyptus or other fragrant shavings). If you use fleece they mite be having a reaction to too much bleach or soap when washed.

However, I noticed that you posted you just got a new pet store pig, so I'd DEFINITELY treat everyone for mites, including any dogs.

**Jenileigh** · #12 10-10-09, 08:57 am

This was VERY informative.

We got our girl piggies in April this year from a Pet Smart. BEFORE I had found this site. I introduced myself and have learned a lot since then.

I would say I began noticing the shedding in late May early June. I thought it was because of the summer heat...which makes no sense because our temperatures in the home don't change. Shortly after this my Shih Tzu began having skin itching that we thought was fleas, it wasn't, and the vet said it is dermatitis and she's been having to get steroid shots. I also have a Westie and she is experiencing the same thing.

The shedding has been getting progressively worse. The piggies look very healthy and you can't tell they are losing so much hair by looking at them, it's only when we hold them that the hair just seems to pull out, it covers us to the point that we don't hold them as much and the hair flies in the air.

It sounds like mites.

The other freebie piggie just came home yesterday. So, I'd say that I need to treat both dogs and all three piggies. What about birds? I do have lovebirds also and a hamster. Sigh...

I'm going to check out your links and call my vet.

I truly appreciate your post. I thank-you immensely.

Edited to add:

(I do use fleece sewed to a towel for bedding. I am washing in Tide using no fabric softener. Should I try Woolite or Dreft? What does everyone else wash in?)

And we have two rabbits.

**ChristyG** · #13 10-21-09, 06:34 pm

I am not sure if I can ask her, I dont want to do double posts, but my two girls seem to be shedding alot too right now. Not alot of scratching-but they do shed. They scratch only once in awhile-seems like they just have a itch or something. But my main question is-I see alot of posts about that medicine you use(begins with an I??). Where do I get it-and should I get it for them, even though I dont believe it mites?? Is it good for them to be treated just to be safe? And with the economy so bad-I really hope its not to expensive?? Thanks for any help

**Jenileigh** · #14 10-21-09, 06:49 pm

My piggies are not scratching either, other than the occasional scratch. I figure I'll do this to be on the safe side, this way I'll be able to rule them out. I surely hope they don't shed this bad naturally.

**trump_cinnamon** · #15 10-21-09, 07:17 pm

I have had piggies that shed a lot, and some that don't at all.

If the hair is coming out in clumps, it could very likely be mites. However, at some times of the year, they just shed more. I have found that right before Winter Cinnamon sheds A LOT! I think it may have something to do with their Winter coats.

There would be a pile of hair at Cinnamon's butt when I was done petting him! He's starting to shed again.

I brought him to the vet, and there was nothing wrong with him, so there could possibly be nothing wrong with your pigs.

**Jenileigh** · #16 10-21-09, 07:40 pm

No clumps here, just shedding. It's just been going on for a long while. I thought it may be seasonal but it isn't stopping. You can't hold them without being covered in the hair.

**ChristyG** · #17 10-22-09, 06:23 am

So, I am confused? Is it a good idea to treat them? Do I need to go to the vet to get that stuff?

"Thank you, sophistacavy, for this useful post," says:
angiekay (09-19-09)

"Thank you, sophistacavy, for this useful post," says:
Jenileigh (09-21-09)

"Thank you, Slave to the Wheek, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
Heady (10-21-09), Jenileigh (10-10-09)