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Post by november87 on Jun 15, 2011 16:52:03 GMT
One of my little boys (4 months) has developed a bald patch on the side of his face, near his eye. At first I thought the fur was wet and stuck down, but today I checked and there's no hair.
The area is not red and sore, and from what I can tell its not from over grooming from his brother.
Nothing has changed environment-wise either.....any ideas anyone??
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Post by philbailey1806 on Jun 15, 2011 18:37:16 GMT
that sounds odd! Sometimes degus can get alopecia from stress, has he fallen out with his cagemate recently? Or it could be lice or mites? A fungal infection can cause loss of fur, but then the skin underneath would usually be marked in some way. I'd advise taking him to the vets just so that you're certain of what is wrong with him and have some sort of treatment.
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Post by emz on Jun 15, 2011 18:39:23 GMT
If there is no mites/flaky or weeping skin/redness etc. then it is either alopecia or over grooming. They may over groom each other when you're not about.
If you leave the sandbath in all the time some people find removing it and only allowing it for about half an hour a day can help with over grooming.
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Post by november87 on Jun 15, 2011 19:17:38 GMT
Nope, no arguements with his brother. Neither really dominates the other either. We dont leave the sandbath in the cage, because of they use it as a litter box . They only use it when they come out to play in the evenings. Is there anything that can help alopecia?
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Post by emz on Jun 15, 2011 19:33:49 GMT
Not that I am aware of. It isn't anything to worry about though.
How many toys do you have in your cage? I find some weeks, when I am low on cash and running out of toys, my Steve will be more prone to over grooming. So make sure they have enough to distract them from this.
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Post by november87 on Jun 15, 2011 20:20:36 GMT
Oh thats good! The pair of them get spoilt, my boyfriend is forever trying to think up new things to kept them entertained. His favourite toy is his flying saucer. Ill keep an eye on him, make sure nothing else changes.
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Post by amie on Jun 16, 2011 1:23:40 GMT
Every now and then my boys will get little bald patches on their faces from chewing the cage bars too much.
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