Bald spot????

[Saraandbernie]

So I have owned my chinchilla Bernie since about July of 2011. I haven't had any problems with him at all until I was playing with him tonight. I put him back in his cage and noticed that he had a pretty large bald spot, about the size of a quarter on his neck. I'm not very experienced with chinchillas so I am not quite sure why this would occur. He has a very large cage and gets fed everyday with hay and grain and always has a dust bath in his cage. Someone please help!!! I'm very worried about my chin. I love him a lot and am not sure what is going on. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Is the spot totally bald with skin showing? If so, it is probably a fur slip. They happen all the time. It is a defense mechanism for them. When something tries to grab them, they slip fur and escape, leaving the predator with a mouth full of fur.

If the spot looks irritated, it could be fungus and you will need to take the chinchilla to the vet to be sure and for medication.

Just a quick note. Chinchillas should be eating pellets made of hay, not grains.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

Not only should a chin have a good quality chin chow (not grains) but a dust bath should not be in the cage all the time. Once or twice a week for about 15 minutes is all that is needed. If you leave the dust in all the time, the fur and skin will become very dry. It 'could' be the problem with the bald spot. Not only that, if you leave the dust bath in the cage all the time, in no time the dust will get very dirty with pee and poops - not good to roll around in.