Hair Loss V shaped bald spot on back normal skin underneath

[msmer]

My guinea pig is about a year and a half old now, but we recently adopted a new piggy about three months ago. Within the past month, my older piggy has Developed a somewhat V-shaped bald spot on his back. He doesn’t seem to be itching more than usual, and the skin underneath where the hair is missing looks completely normal. He does not scratch or itch when I touch the area that is balding but I am unsure if it could be mites or not. I’m worried that a trip to the vet might just result in them telling me that it is not anything serious and just barbering, so I want to check with some other opinions before I go in.

 

[bpatters]

That's the classic hair loss pattern for mites. The pig is biting at its back because it itches, but that's the only area it can reach.

You can treat it yourself -- three or four doses of ivermectin, seven days apart. Here are instructions on what to buy and how to do it: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/111160-How-to-treat-for-mites-and-lice