Balding V

Question
QUESTION: We have several piggies. Two males who are brothers share one cage. In the last few months we've noticed a perfect "V" on their backs, through the hair. It looked like a "part" like in a human's hair, but now they look a bit larger and some skin is showing through. They have no redness, scaling, or dandruff, just a weird V on both the males' backs. None of our other piggies have this, but the others are females. We're wondering if it's a male-thing or worse. I did notice they sort of bump their backs on their doors of their houses when they enter or exit while excited. I don't know if they're rubbing the hair on their backs on the house doors or what. It's just very weird how they both have a perfect "V". Should we take them to the vet? Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi eve

That is weird.

I really dont know what to suggest as I have never heard of this before, so yes, a trip to the vet might be advisable to be on the safe side.

Andy

P.S Please let me know what vet says, I am intrigued.

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

QUESTION: We just got back from the vet, our piggies are lousy! Actually, it's a small louse that only piggies can get called, "Glilricola porcelli", or guinea pig louse. Only our two boys have it, they share a cage, none of our other pigs in other cages have the louse. The vet said it could come from a new pig introduced, or it could be the bedding, but our other pigs don't have it, and we haven't introduced any new pigs, to which the vet said, "Your guess is as good as mine." So the boys are in quarantine, which they were anyway because they're boys and the rest of our pigs are females, and they both got an injection of an anti-louse medication that we'll have to repeat in 10 days. We also have to keep they're cage spotless. Other than that, they're healthy.

Answer
Hi again eve

Thank you so much for getting back to me, i was keen to learn what the problem might be.

Perhaps you can tell me which country you live in and what the medecine the vet gave you was called. With this, I can perhaps advise people with a similar problem in future. Its amazing how much there is to know about these wonderful animals.

I am delighted to hear that your boys are healthy anyway.

Speak to you soon.

andy