means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 7, 2017 21:10:36 GMT
Hello everyone,
My degu has a weird patch on his back. There's no blood. There's no dry skin.
I'm not entirely sure as to what caused the problem. Advice?
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Post by savvy on Sept 7, 2017 21:49:32 GMT
It could be a moult line. Is he his normal self otherwise?
As long as the skin is not inflamed and is unbroken, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, but keep an eye on it.
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 7, 2017 21:54:11 GMT
How often is he/she having access to a bath? Could be molt or a build up of hair which a sand bath will soon sort out.
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 7, 2017 22:18:45 GMT
It could be a moult line. Is he his normal self otherwise? As long as the skin is not inflamed and is unbroken, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, but keep an eye on it. Fortunately he's behaving normally. I shall keep a good eye on him. Thanks a lot~
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 7, 2017 22:21:39 GMT
How often is he/she having access to a bath? Could be molt or a build up of hair which a sand bath will soon sort out. I usually bathe him 4 times a week in a sand bath.
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Post by bouncy on Sept 7, 2017 22:45:24 GMT
In the photo, it looks like he's developing a bit of a bald or thinning spot on his back. You've said he's behaving normally and, I assume he's his chirpy self. Has he had any stress recently? Has he been wriggling into a confined space recently? Are his buds getting a little enthusiastic come grooming time? If all appears normal and healthy re skin, it should grow back
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 7, 2017 23:13:36 GMT
In the photo, it looks like he's developing a bit of a bald or thinning spot on his back. You've said he's behaving normally and, I assume he's his chirpy self. Has he had any stress recently? Has he been wriggling into a confined space recently? Are his buds getting a little enthusiastic come grooming time? If all appears normal and healthy re skin, it should grow back Thanks a lot. I believe he's not stressed although it's highly possibly that the buds are grooming him too much? Do you know the estimate as to long it'll take for the fur to grow back?
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Post by Emziedee on Sept 7, 2017 23:42:44 GMT
Awwww he looks like a chipmunk bless him!
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 7, 2017 23:49:12 GMT
Awwww he looks like a chipmunk bless him! xD God, this made my day. Thanks!
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 8, 2017 7:41:14 GMT
How often is he/she having access to a bath? Could be molt or a build up of hair which a sand bath will soon sort out. I usually bathe him 4 times a week in a sand bath. When we first rescued Boo she looked very similar to this on her back. We were like 'oooo what unusual dark colouring' and just assumed it was her fur colour. Within a week or two of being with us and having constant access to a sandbath, all the dark area literally came off, leaving shiny new fur underneath, and we realised it hadn't been her fur colour at all but a kind of build up of old hair and grime I guess from where she couldn't reach to clean herself. He does look extremely cute though like chipmunk! Boo looked the same, we were a teeny bit gutted when it all came off!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2017 9:36:45 GMT
You can leave the sandbath in 24/7. Degus know when they need a bath, we aren't always the best judge x
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Post by bouncy on Sept 8, 2017 10:29:36 GMT
If it is fur loss (my suggestion because the surrounding fur looks beautiful), it should go back in a few weeks. This is assuming the reason for the fur loss has stopped.
What does the patch feel like?
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 8, 2017 12:20:13 GMT
I usually bathe him 4 times a week in a sand bath. When we first rescued Boo she looked very similar to this on her back. We were like 'oooo what unusual dark colouring' and just assumed it was her fur colour. Within a week or two of being with us and having constant access to a sandbath, all the dark area literally came off, leaving shiny new fur underneath, and we realised it hadn't been her fur colour at all but a kind of build up of old hair and grime I guess from where she couldn't reach to clean herself. He does look extremely cute though like chipmunk! Boo looked the same, we were a teeny bit gutted when it all came off! Glad Boo is in safe arms. I really appreciate the story, helped me a lot with my overthinking. I'll sure to keep bathing him everyday!
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 8, 2017 12:22:03 GMT
You can leave the sandbath in 24/7. Degus know when they need a bath, we aren't always the best judge x Haha, true. Thanks for the advice!
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 8, 2017 12:24:39 GMT
If it is fur loss (my suggestion because the surrounding fur looks beautiful), it should go back in a few weeks. This is assuming the reason for the fur loss has stopped. What does the patch feel like? The patch feels slightly shorter than the fur around it. There isn't much difference besides the colour and length
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Post by bouncy on Sept 8, 2017 12:28:52 GMT
That's what I thought, so thanks for confirming. Bristly fur is new stuff coming through. Was it originally shorter than this (ie skin), have you come across any tufts in the cage itself?
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 8, 2017 12:57:30 GMT
So far I haven't seen any tufts. The hair was a bit longer. Thanks!
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Post by bouncy on Sept 8, 2017 14:55:06 GMT
So it sounds like he's still shedding!
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Post by bouncy on Sept 8, 2017 16:09:53 GMT
OK, found some more bits on a German site. More severe than yours..... www.degus-online.de/images/krankh6.jpgSuggestions seem to be fur eating from stress (possibly from one of your others), boredom, or a parasite. The parasite could be external or in the digestive tract.
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means
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by means on Sept 8, 2017 20:13:54 GMT
OK, found some more bits on a German site. More severe than yours..... www.degus-online.de/images/krankh6.jpgSuggestions seem to be fur eating from stress (possibly from one of your others), boredom, or a parasite. The parasite could be external or in the digestive tract. Thanks for the suggestions! Really appreciate the help. It must've took a lot of research I'll take him to a vet ASAP to find out the problem
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