Guinea pig gair loss

Question
Sry to send another message but as it turns out it is loseing hair on both sides so i am no longer sure what to do. As i said it hasnt scratched at it and behavior is normal. It also seems that it has lost some behind the ears. Im worried and would appericate any adice you have.
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I had bought the piggy at a pet store and it turned out to be pregnant so i am sure about the age but i know its a girl. It has a cage right next to a long haired piggy's cage as well. It lives in carefresh covered bedding i buy the food from Roger's pet store. Recently i have seen some hair loss on one side of the piggy and i have seen little then normal scratching about 2 months ago i had moved the 2 babies because they got sick from the new food and died 2 hours later ten minutes apart. So i bought different food and the original guinea pig seemed fine but a little scared that she would be taken away. Now i am just worried that the hair loss could be more than just old age or something like maybe its stress or lice if you think you know what it is please tell me what i should do to help.
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Hello Sean,

First of all, Guinea Pigs don't lose hair just because they are old, so something is wrong. If it were lice, typically you'd be able to see them, but it could be mites or a fungal infection. Defiencies, such as scurvy (not enough vitamin c), can also cause hair loss. Diabetes and hormonal problems can cause hairloss but then it's typically symetrical (the same on both sides). Stress could cause her to barber (eat her hair). If she isn't barbering (you said she seems a bit stressed so this may be the problem), it's probably a parasite or defiency. It could still be hormonal or diabetes, but I'd have the vet check for the other issues first because those two aren't as likley since it's just on the one side. Parasites will require medication (poison for mites and antifungal for a fungus) and a defiency will simply require giving her the vitamin or nutrient she's short on. Both treatments are simple and shouldn't be costly but if ignored mites and a defiency could kill her so you should seek treament soon. Good luck with your girl. I hope she gets better soon.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs

Answer
Hello Sean,

It's ok, send all the messages you need to. Since it's on both sides, it's probably a hormonal thing. It happens alot after a sow gives birth, when she's pregnant, and while she's lactating. It SHOULD clear up on it's own in time. If it doesn't clear up, she may have ovarian cysts. Those are treated by simply having her spayed. I doubt it's diabetes, because there typically are other symptoms if that's the case. I suspect it has to do with her giving birth and if that's the case, she's ok. I've had my sows lose hair during and after pregnancy and it seems to take forever to grow back sometimes. Keep an eye on her in case there is more to her problem than just losing her hair. Hopefully she will be just fine and have her normal coat back soon.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs