[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Hair Loss

[DL1Bossfan at aol.com]

Hi Friends:
Just want to ask if anyone out there has had a MALE piggy with unexplained  
hair loss?  This whole thing started on (or around) 12-11.  I  discovered G.I. 
Joe had (nasty looking) Bumblefoot.  It was the weekend, so  off to the vet we 
went on Monday.  Since then, he has had cultures taken  (all negative so far, 
& Monday will be 14 days), has had two rounds of  Baytril, has Malaseb 
(dabbed on his ears), a round of ivermectin, and gets his  foot soaked twice a day 
in chlorhexidine. BUT - he has lost almost all of his  hair from midway all the 
way back on his left side (right side is okay).   One very good person (here 
on the GPDD) suggested that I post the  question.  We have been to the vet 
several times.  The vet has taken  digital pictures and sent them to a Dr. in 
Boston that is specializing in  exotics - the Dr. also was not sure what it could 
be. "Barbering" by Spike (G.I.  Joe's cagemate) was also mentioned, but I 
have not seen anything that would  indicate that.  G.I.'s foot looks much, much 
better - he was, but is not  now scratching (well you know - all piggies 
scratch some - his is not  overexcessive), and the only time I heard a peep out of 
him was when he got the  shots of ivermectin.  He loves to eat - his poops look 
okay (they were a  little soft - probably from Baytril, but a couple of doses 
of plain yogurt  helped clear that).  So all in all - he seems happy and okay 
- he just  looks - well BALD!  At this rate, my mom will be knitting him a 
sweater  soon!  I will also add, that he and Spike were on "Woody Pet", because 
of  G.I. Joe's allergies - (with changes every 2 to 3 days).  It seemed to 
work  real well - even better than Aspen for him.  Since this started - he and  
Spike are now on blankets (for cushioning) with a sheet on top.  I now  change 
their bedding daily - sometimes twice a day.  Any suggestions or  comments are 
welcome.  Thanks and I am sorry this was long. Happy 2005 to  all!
Donna (Tom, Huck, Spike, and "Mr. Baldy!" - alias G.I.  Joe)