Hair Loss Around Eye

Question
QUESTION: You've heard from me before, however now I have a new problem. One of my piggies has like a small ring of hair loss around her eye. For a while, I've ignored it because it didn't really seem too important. She has been acting normal. She eats, she drinks, she pees, she poos, she exercises, she squeaks when I bring food up, all like a normal healthy guinea pig. However, now my nerves are getting to me. I do not know what it is. I hope it's nothing too serious. I just want to know what it is and if I can do anything about it. Thank you so much!

ANSWER: Deaer Sabrina, I truly do not mind you getting in touch again :)
This sounds like it may be an allergy related problem.
Is she a little snuffly too?
Try changing her bedding for newspaper with a good load of shredded paper on top.
You can shred newspapers as the ink they used is soya based and non harmful.
Make sure any hay you use is fresh smelling and dust free.
It should clear the eye problem up if its allergy related within about 4 days.
If you are still concerned please do get back in touch xxx


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Her bedding is 100% dust free. It is basically recycled newspaper and cardboard formed into little balls. However, I have seen dust in her hay. I use Timothy hay. I buy it in bags at the pet store. Now, I know that's not my best move. Most people suggest getting the hay from an actual farm. However, I live in the middle of a desert in Texas and there is not too much of a chance I'll find a farm for anything other than cotton anywhere close by. I do not know what to do. I bet its the hay that is my problem. Where can I get better hay that is not in a farm? Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi
The bedding is fine and as you say,you wont find a farm in your area that has hay.
If you are only using the hay for feeding then it wont be that which is causing the allergy.
All hay will have some dust in it,even the ones marked DUST FREE :(
Just keep on with the Timothy hay and paper bedding.
Just one other thing, check his hair for any balding patches around the flank area as he could be showing an allergy to something that may have bitten him