Bald patches and Hair loss

[SugarRush___]

I have a long haired female Guinea pig, who is roughly a year and a half old, who has always been a long haired guinea. Recently I noticed that her fur had become alot shorter, almost as if she had been given a haircut. This was not only in one place either, it appeared to be the same length all over. I presumed that it was beacuse she was housed with another guinea pig who has been chewing her fur. Recently, I have noticed her fur getting even shorter, and she has several bald patches along her body. She lives with three other female guinea pigs, who all get on very well. She is eating well, and her poo is normal. She doesn't act in a strange way, and I'm wondering what this could be?
Iv'e recently given her a bath, using a guinea-pig shampoo, which is designed to kill fleas and any other nasty things.
If any one could be of any help, it would be greatly appreciated! :)

[KDonohue]

If her hair is just shorter in spots it could be what is called barbering, guinea pigs chew either their own or their cage mates hair off. If their are bald patches down to the skin this could be mites. Treating with ivermectin for mites is not harmful if she doesn't have them but will help her if she does. For proper dosing check out guinealynx.com.
Keep on eye on them closely and see if you can see any of them chewing on her hair. Sometimes guinea pigs, and other animals like rats and horses, will "barber" each other out of bordom, dominance issues, or just because. Introducing more activities into their daily life could help reduce barbering or it may be something they just do that you may be unable to prevent.

[SugarRush___]

Thank you for your quick reply!
It could well be my others barbeing her as you suggested. But I shall also visit a local pet shop and see what other products they have to offer incase of fleas, mites etc.
Many thanks for your help :)

[Ly&Pigs]

Please don't use medicated or insecticidal sprays or shampoos on guinea pigs. They do more harm than good.

The only safe and effective treatments for mites are Ivermectin, Advantage or Revolution. Please don't buy products in petstores for fleas, mites, etc.

[SugarRush___]

Thanks for your suggestion, but I don't understand how they can cause 'more harm than good'?
They are specially designed to treat the problem not make it worse.
In some cases, I can see how the guinea pig may allergic, or have some reaction to it, but I doubt that ,that happens regularly.
What harm do these shampoo's cause?

[Ly&Pigs]

Pyrethrins and other insecticides in them are what are harmful to pigs.

There are safe medications that can treat mites, fleas and lice, I listed those for you above. There are shampoos that are not medicated or have harmful insecticides in them also. Just as human shampoos aren't right for pigs as they dry the skin out. There are safe shampoos formulated for small animals. Most pigs rarely need bathed anyway.

[foggycreekcavy]

Ly&Pigs is right. Those products are not safe for guinea pigs. There are many items sold at pet stores targeted for guinea pigs that are not healthy for them, and some are downright dangerous.

In my experience, guinea pigs usually don't barber to the skin. There definitely could be some mites.