Degu hair loss/bald spot - Paw Talk

Binky · #1 12-17-2007, 07:35 PM

A couple days ago, all my girls had a full body of hair, then one day I was talking one of them out of their cage, and I noticed she had a bald spot. That spot doesn't seem to be bothering her at all, it's just there. Does anyone know what may have caused it? Stress? One of her sisters or her mom pulling it off? I have some pictures of it.

mulder · #2 12-17-2007, 11:06 PM

well, from my experience, degus can overgroom each other. for a while one of my girls had a bald spot, same place, same size. try letting them out to play everyday, change their cage more often, rearrange things, add toys, mix it up more. best wishes!

Amethystbelle · #3 12-18-2007, 09:36 AM

I would say its probably from over grooming by another degu as the area looks clean and isn't red or sore looking and you mentioned it isn't affecting her. I would keep a close eye on her for a few days and see how she goes, are any of the other degus suffering fur loss?

Over grooming can be a sign of boredom like Natalie mentioned and a rearrangement of the cage can work wonders or a change of routine. If you want to encourage the fur to regrow you can rub in a little baby moisturiser or some thing like E45 cream as this helps to soften the skin and encourage the hair follicles to sprout

andreaS15 · #4 12-19-2007, 02:06 PM

I'm with everyone else on the over grooming.
I have found sometimes changing things around in the cage and/or adding new toys can stop the one Degu from over grooming the other.

MañasMom · #5 12-19-2007, 06:48 PM

Sometimes I think they can over groom each other from stress too.

I mean, I know boredom can cause it, but your pack of Degus has dealt with a lot of stress lately too - and that takes it's toll on all of us, human and Degu alike.

Maybe all the loss has just caught up with them too, and they're comforting themselves with a little over-zealous grooming. Just another idea besides sheer boredom, as I remember that you've suffered a lot of losses lately.

pixidance · #6 12-22-2007, 01:17 PM

One of my boys is covered in spots from where the other one grooms him. He looks quite funny. It was really bad when I first got them and it's tapered off quite a bit.
They seem to do it more when there's something going on.

My first degu chewed a bald spot on her own back before I got her friends. Now she has a lovely coat!

Binky · #7 12-22-2007, 08:50 PM

I've noticed that some of the fur is growing back near the top of the bald spot. Thanks for the help everyone.

mulder · #8 12-23-2007, 01:32 PM

awww glad to hear