Reducing Shedding In Guinea Pigs
You love your guinea pig very much, its lovely eyes, cute protruding neck, little black nose and shining silky hairs that came loose in your hands. “Hairs” – Got a shock, I am sure you must have. Your guinea pig is losing hundreds of hairs everyday. Did you ever feel scared? Will your guinea pig go bald. No it will not because this is just the routine hair falling which is called shedding in medical terms. After some time your guinea pig will regain its mane of silky colors. But you should not take it so lightly. If it is not a routine shedding or if the hair fall is excessive then it is some sort of fungal infection or a symptom for another disease. Please study the points carefully and understand reasons, responsible for shedding.
* Excessive shedding is the first indication of a parasite attack. Mites can cause troubles to guinea pigs. To correct this parasitic infection you can use Ivermectin for treatment. Guinea pigs will always look to itch where they have been afflicted with the insect. Fungal infection in guinea pigs can result in excessive shedding. To detect this infection observe your guinea pigs closely for patchy area, hairless, or itchy areas.
* To curb the parasite and fungal infection check the humidity level in the cage of guinea pig. Too much humidity is ideal for germs, parasite and other mites to thrive upon guinea pigs. Make regular cleanup of the guinea pig’s cage a habit. Parasites are always there, just lying inactive and any kind of stimulus can make them active in no time.
* Domestic treatments and precautions are also effective to reduce shedding. For example, you should comb hair of your guinea pig regularly with a metal comb.
* Increase the Vitamin C in diet of guinea pig. The large amount of Vitamin C will supply the strength to its hair root. A protein rich diet will help in reducing hair shedding.
* Monthly bath is a must. Give your guinea pig a bath in warm water with a gentle shampoo. Rub his body, under the ear lobe, under the belly, down the neck with gentle hand where parasites possibly can hide. It is easy to find out if you look carefully. Also if you were aware where the guinea pig used to scratch most, then you can minutely look in those regions. After bath, dry up the body of your guinea pig with a soft towel. Always be gently while drying up the guinea pig. Further it is advisable to patient and caring toward it during the whole process.
In case you have a pair of guinea pigs and only one is shedding then also you have to treat both of them equally as this infection spreads from one animal to another. One must remember that regular cleaning of cage, good hygienic conditions, balanced diet are must for the stopping of hair shedding. In case the problem persists or shedding is acute, immediately consult the veterinarian for a diagnosis of guinea pig.