Etiology:  Barbering usually occurs when a dominant guinea pig chews the hair of other subordinate guinea pigs in the cage.  Self-barbering may also occur if an animal is experiencing stress.

Incidence:  The incidence of barbering is moderate.

Clinical Signs:  Clinical signs include patchy hair loss and presence of broken hair shafts usually without bite marks or skin inflammation.  Alopecia in the flank region indicates self-barbering [1].

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is made based on clinical signs and history, and by ruling out other underlying conditions, especially ectoparasitism.

1.            Quesenberry, K.E., Carpenter, James W., Ferrets, Rabbits, And Rodents Clinical Medicine And Surgery2003, 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146: Saunders.