Tail Hair problem. HELP! :(

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Blarklark

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
75
Location
New England
Hello, LONG ago I used to post on this site religiously getting ready for my chin. How is fat and happy and wonderful. But I was letting him out for his afternoon romp.. and notice he had a bald spot .. about half an inch long of bare skin!

This is freaking me out. He acts happy. Runs in his wheel eats all his food.. gets this dust baths. None of his shorter fur is affected...

So I'm thinking it might be mites? could this be? Or is he secretly depressed?

Before I brought him home he did have a cage mate.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you
~Karl
 
Does it look anything like this? If so, it's just a slip. I did this to a chinchilla while grooming her for a show.

DSC_0150.jpg
 
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hmm I noticed today he has another bald spot at the base of his tail. I totally saw im chewing/cleaning his tail last night.. could he be hair chewing? What can I do to help him if he is?
 
It's possible that he could be chewing his tail, but he could also be cleaning the spot if it is a slip. Most fur chewers you can't really do anything with except figure out why they're chewing. Have you changed cages, diets, dusts or anything that could stress him out lately? Other than missing a cage mate that is...

Chins don't get mites. Most likely it's stress related. Maybe you can get him a cuddle buddy?
 
threewingedfury said:
It's possible that he could be chewing his tail, but he could also be cleaning the spot if it is a slip. Most fur chewers you can't really do anything with except figure out why they're chewing. Have you changed cages, diets, dusts or anything that could stress him out lately? Other than missing a cage mate that is...

Chins don't get mites. Most likely it's stress related. Maybe you can get him a cuddle buddy?
Click to expand...

i didnt know cuddle buddies would be a way to help if they miss a cage member , i wonder if our ebony male would enjoy one of them.....how do you make them or what could they be made of?
 
hmm well the rest of his coat looks fine. its jut his tail. And it has been MONTHS.. I mean I got him back in May. Would he still be having stress issues over missing his chin buddy? Also, I have no changed anything about this cage food .. but..

now that I think about it. I have changed his hey.. could that be it? the store never has the same hey each time so sometimes I switch to different types of hey. Should I never do that?

Also, if he does need another buddy.. how to you introduce chin's? if they are to live together? He hasn't been with another chin in months. :X

Another thing I was thinking was.. It has been X-mas due to family time I haven't spent enough time with him like I did in the past.. could that be why?
 
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A cuddle buddy is like a stuffed toy but it doesn't have eyes or anything a chin could chew. The ones I've seen look like little bean bag chairs the size of a chinchilla. Some of the members here make wonderful fleece items and sell them.
 
Any of you guys know these members? or have a link to their site?

and I played with Povel for a bit today. He seems fine. Very bouncy.. very fast.. and fresh e_e....

Anyways, I think its just his hair release defense afterall.. I need to learn a better way to pick him up. He HATES it when I pick him up by the tail. The scoop and lift way works better with little hair release..

Yeah he is having fun with a paper towel tube in his cage haha..

But I'd like to get him a cuddle Buddy and see if he likes them. :) Just incase he needs something to sleep next to.
 
I must warn you BlarkLark... Single lonely chins, love cuddle buddys! No, I mean LOVE like bad 70's porno. When you get him a new inanimate friend, not only will you get a free show, but you will get the honor of cleaning up after he is done. Do not get this on your clothes, you will never get it out:laughitup:

humpbuddy.jpg
 
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I dont pick my chins up by the tail at all unless I have to. If he is fur slipping that bad from you grabbing him, you need to find another method. It is a defense mechanism, and that means you are scaring him and he wants down.

Cudlle buddies are awesome! I have a fleece one shaped like a bear, and every night Fuzzy beats his up! It is like WWF time in his cage lol!
 
Yes, I mentioned above that I know he doesn't like being picked up in that manner. Been working on scooping him up.

And yes, I've heard about the "loving" cuddle buddies.. I've also heard how at times they do that to peoples hands.. LMAO.. it happens.. and thanks for the tip on not getting it on my clothing :)
 
Hey guys, update that I found.

Well, for the past few days I have let Povel just run out onto the floor. I have no dogs in my room.. no cats.. and I now has his cage resting on the floor of my room. So that I can let him out of the front of it. No tail grabbing required. When its time to go back in I just guide him back to his cage. No screaming no scary movements. He seems to be fine. However, I noticed that his tail is still thinning out :(.. Now Im certain its not my trying to grab him..
 
How long does it take for Chin's to grow their hair back? Is there any meds or things they can eat to help them with this processes?
 
Body fur takes 3 to 4 months to fully grow back. Tail fur takes longer. If the chin is an adult it may not grow back at all. The older they are the longer it takes. There is nothing you can give them to get the fur to grow faster.
 
Update on Povel. He has continued to chew more of his tail. I have not picked him up since before. I made him a cuddle buddy which I've seen him cuddle with.

I also have touched the bald spot by his tail.. It is growing back. I was reading my chin book. And they say there is something you can put on the bare skin to sooth it. Does that really do anything?
 
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