fur missing on left arm

[stargrazer]

I noticed today that Remi's fur was missing on his left arm. I am not sure why or if he is in any pain. He doesn't appear to be and his skin does not look angry or red. He obviously pulled it out or licked it off but I don't know why. Any ideas why and how to help him to stop? Or what I can put on it if necessary?
Thanks so much for your ideas and input.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Can you post a picture of it?

 

[stargrazer]

I tried to get a picture but he wont hold still long enough and it is hidden. I have noticed two other developments. He has started sleeping in a new spot, a place he has never slept before. Also I notice he is drooling. I am starting to suspect his teeth. I just caught him and his teeth look OK albeit a dark yellow but don't appear to be real long. I also noticed he has stopped chewing the larger twigs and prefers the scrawny ones I give him each day.
I am trying to find a vet in my area and so far nothing (I'm in Largo FL). The last vet I talked to mentioned giving him food you would never give a chin so he is out.

 

[stargrazer]

found a vet

I found a vet and made an appointment for tomorrow. Have no idea at this point if this vet is competent. I will find out more tomorrow and post their findings. Crossing my fingers its not a major problem.

 

[Cuddlebug]

That does sound like there could be teeth problems. The leg could be caused by the drooling. Hopefully things go well at the vet's.

 

[stargrazer]

Back from the vets and the doctor was somewhat competent. She specializes in rabbits and Guinea pigs but she was able to tell it was Remi's back teeth that were the problem. She said some of them were getting points on them. The fronts were fine. Turns out he is not getting enough hay to grind those back ones down and that's where I am at fault.
I stopped giving him hay because he never touched it. I went through bags of it and different varieties and could never get him to eat it. I even had some shipped in and he poo pooed it. Well, I am going to try again and not give up. I got him Brome, oat hay, and timmy hay. Also got him some critical care from the vet and he ate all of it last night.

I have a question about hay. Does it go bad? The stuff I got from the vet (brome, oat, and timmy) looks pretty old. Does it matter?
I cant tell how old the stuff is but it is Oxbow and I understand that is a good brand. The clips on the bags say 10286 and 07318. Are those date codes? He seems to like the Oat.

 

[Anna35]

Are they gonna file down the points or have they already?

 

[stargrazer]

Not yet as I want to try to reverse it with giving him hay if its possible. I don't have the 800 plus dollars its going to cost to take him to a specialist I was told about. If giving him hay and the critical care doesn't resolve the problem then I will have to figure out how to pay for the dentistry he will need. I have VPI insurance on him but they don't pay up front and I am not sure how much they will cover.
Even after one day he seems more perky (he has never lost his appetite or drinking) and he has already moved back to his regular sleeping box. He also is eating the critical care.
I think I need to find better hay and will be working on that this weekend. I thought I would get him a Oxbow timmy hay hidey house so he can chew on that.

 

[Tanya]

You can cut back on pellets; this way he should eat more hay. You can also mix in some alfalfa or sprinkle safe herbs on hay. This may encourage him to eat more hay. I have fragrant organic timothy hay with herbs. I contains timothy, meadow grasses, red clover, alfalfa, and herbs.

You can also give your chin safe wood, nettle stalks (they are coarse and chins like them), hibiscus, and rose hips. They should help wear teeth down too.