Balding on Feet and tail.

[MichelleDoerr]

Hello everyone. I just posted a thred but I'm creating a new one because I couldn't post pictures on the last one.

I got a new chinchilla yeaterday and from the mid body down his hair looks matted. On his tail and back feet there are bald spots and he looks very thin. I know hes probably a little skittish being in a new home but he dosent seem to be eating very well. (not taking treats and timothy hay) He does seem active in his cage (running on the wheel, etc.) I cant get him into a vet till Thursday so I'm wondering if there is anything I can do.

Please Help!

 

[Stackie]

Looks like he is a fur chewer. Chins can do this if they are bored, stressed, or just because. Giving them lots of things to occupy themselves can sometimes help, but sometimes chins will chew their fur no matter what. No one really knows what directly causes it. It's no need for a vet visit, though. Congrats on your new chin )

If you do a search for "fur chewing" on here, you'll turn up some threads to read about it more in depth.

Edit: just saw your part about him not eating well. Give him a few days to settle in. Like you said, he is probably stressed. Make sure he is still pooping and give him some time to settle in and be more comfortable with his new home.

 

[MichelleDoerr]

Thank You,
When I picked him up they didn't have any toys in his cage. All they had was a running wheel. I put lots and lots of toys for him and a new wheel. I have a Beautiful White chinchilla I was wanting to get her a buddy.
Thank you for the advice and I guess lots of toys and lots of baths will help him!

 

[Stackie]

You're welcome. Just keep in mind you shouldn't let him come in contact with your female. They can breed in seconds and you really don't want to breed a fur chewer as some people believe it can be genetic. Not to mention all the complications/heart ache that can arise from breeding!

 

[MichelleDoerr]

I am deffintley keeping them in seprate cages.

 

[MichelleDoerr]

Sorry one more question. Is it possiable that if I put in a bunch of toys and stuff for him to do he will stop?

 

[Stackie]

It may or may not help him. Like I mentioned earlier, some chins will chew no matter what.

 

[AZChins]

He'll stand the best chance of recovering with good food, a clean place to live, something to do and having an owner that talks to him and interacts with him every day. Like Stackie said, he may continue to chew himself no matter what, but he may stop. I've taken in chins that are all chewed up and within a couple months it's hard to tell they ever chewed.

The toys could help quite a bit. I picked up a rescue chin last summer that only had her plastic shelves and a plastic dusting house with really stale, poor quality food. She's nearly completely normal now, but she does still chew a little on her hips from time to time. The difference just having good food and toys has made is very obvious.

I wish you luck with this little guy!

 

[MichelleDoerr]

Thank You! I take my other Chinchilla out everyday to play with her and I'm constantly talking to her. This little guy will deffinitly get the attention he deserves!

 

[obcsed]

I have a foster chin who looked almost like that when I first got her. She was also terrified of everything and very skinny. I took my time with her and provided lots of toys. A year and a half later she has all her fur back, has gained 200 grams and is the sweetest, friendliest and smartest chin I have. I adopted her cause she has bonded so tightly with me that I was afraid a change might set her back. Besides I adore her. Lots of toys to chew, good food, a solid routine and a quite environment all helped turn her around.