Tatty tail

[Willow]

Like everyone else I'm struggling to find decent health info on Degus. Can anyone help? One of my Degus has a very tatty tail, it doesn't have the tuft its supposed to and has very little hair on it at all. I can't find anything in the books or websites on this - does anyone else have experience of this?

[Heddy]

Hello Willow,

it is very difficult to find a good book about degus in English. I havent found a single one yet that convinced me. I know one good book written by a vet, who has keeping degus for years herself, but it is in German only...

There can be several reasons for a "tatty tail". It can be genetic or it can be due to an illness (for example fungal infection or parasites) or some lack of minerals.
The best thing to do in this case is to see a vet to make sure it is not a fungal infection (because this could spread to the rest of the body or to other animals) or a lack of minerals (as this could lead to further problems)...does your degu scratch its tail a lot?

[gareth]

Hi one of my degus also has a bit of a tatty tail yet it dosnt seem to scatch it or anything so not sure what it is with mine any help would be appriciated

[Sunshinemeg]

regarding hair loss, I had to take Gromit to the vet as his left hand has a bald patch. The vet didnt want to take a skin scraping as they have such thin skin, but instead asked me to keep an eye and see if it grows. He has had the bald spot for over a year, no growth, no regrowth of hair, and its never bothered him, so we dont worry too much!

SUNSHINEMEG ;D

[Heddy]

Hello Gareth,

I agree with sunshinemeg. If it does not seem to bother him and it does not spread, leave him alone. If it spreads, take him to a vet. The vet can diagnose fungal infections simply by using a special lamp under which the fungus gets visible.

The tatty tail can have loads of reasons, it also could come from a fight...