My guinea pig is losing patches of hair

Question
Hello.My name is Katie.
I have two guinea pigs,named Cool,and George.
Cool is at least a few weeks to a month older than George and has been losing hair.The only thing I can think of as in why is because last month we had gave them a new kind of pellets and they ate it for about a day then didnt eat it again and then Cool's hair started to dissapear.
I think it might be seriosess(have no idea how to spell).
He has a dry scalp and there are patches of hair missing,their in no particular shape just patches.
Please give me a solution on how to stop his hair loss.

-kate

Answer
Hi Kate,

    Hair loss is very common among guinea pigs and could be caused by many things.  You most likely have nothing to worry about except identifying exactly what is wrong with Cool.  Your idea of the change is diet causing the hair loss could have been correct if after you switched him back to his normal diet, he stopped losing hair.  Sudden changes in a guinea pig's diet can be devastating to him, even if it is a minute change.

    I would like you to observe Cool for a while and notice if he is biting and scratching often at the bald areas.  One cause of this could be boredom, for one of my guinea pigs Cocoa did this every few months for amusement and worried me constantly.  Another more serious cause could be a type of lice, mites, fleas, or ticks.  If you suspect this cause rather than boredom, I suggest you buy "Guinea Pig Flea and Tick Spray", which I have myself, and check out this website that may be helpful to you:

http://www.guinealynx.com/furmites.html

    If you come to the conclusion that it is neither of these things, my final suggestion is to gently apply a little vaseline to Cool's bald spots, in case the hair loss is simply being caused by dry skin.  Also, in case of a mere vitamin c deficiency, increase his diet of Vitamin C by adding drops to his food and water (Vitamin C supplement drops are available in generally any pet store) and feeding him appropriate vegetables, such as carrots.  These two methods have helped me cure hair loss in two of my guinea pigs.

    Thank you for your question.  I hope I was of some help to you, and I hope Cool recovers soon.  Seeing your guinea pig in any sort of discomfort is unsettling, but I assure you that you have nothing serious to worry about.  Feel free to send a follow up if the problem persists.

                                          - Nicole