sick?

Question
Hi Jules,
Hoping you can help out.  We got our 1st guinea pig 3 weeks ago, and in the last few days she seems to be missing more and more fur around her nose...at first it was a small patch, and now its almost her entire nose.  I've noticed her urine is pretty milky too.  I've read about possible diet problems, but haven't come across anything specific that could be wrong with her.  Her eating habits haven't changed since we've gotton her:  She has never seemed to eat a lot of pellets or fruits/vegetables when she's given them.  She doesn't seem to drink that much either, I'd say only 3 ounces a day.  Her behaviour hasn't changed at all since we got her - she's pretty jumpy, and spooks easily when you walk by her.  She does sit still to be petted once she's over the shock of getting picked up.

Any clues as to the missing fur?
Thanks very much,
Brooke

Answer
Hi Brooke,

It sounds like she may have a fungal infection, often start on the face as areas of patchy, itchy hair loss. There may be multiple sites, on the back and limbs, especially in warm weather. Describe as lesions as "oviod, hairless, scaling "sore spots" with crusts or scabs over raised areas." In guinea pigs, the tufts of hair may be stuck together by a crust of exudate (the skin beneath may exude serum). When this dries up the lesions become dry and scaly. These tufts will fall out and hair regrow in about 4 weeks. Or it could be ringworm. Your best bet is to take her down to a vet and have her looked at to find out which of the two it is and what treatment will work best.

As for the milky urine, it is extra calcium that is being flushed out. So she is getting to much calcium in her diet and should be cut down on. She is young still probably no more the 6 months old maybe less in age so the 3 ounce is plenty of water. My two girls drink 8 ounce a day with the two of them and the average adult Guinea Pig drinks about 4 ounces a day. So she is getting enough water and nothing for you to worry about there. Just cut back on the calcium in her diet and her system will flush out the rest of the extra calcium.

I hope this helps,
  Take care,
     Jules