Question about fur

[Ilysuiteheart]

When I first got my mosiac, she used to pee on herself around that area I guess. She stained her fur with urine. I was concerned but it went away after being with me for a little bit. I could never look too close at it because she only likes to be held on her terms. So now its not stained or anything her fur is matted around her butt and privates. Just a few pieces. The rest of her fur is fluffy soft and healthy looking and feeling, its just right there. She takes enough dust baths and is as happy as can be. I am just wondering if I should trim the matts there off(which im scared to do) or take her to a vet?

Any thoughts or advice?

 

[Brittney]

I wouldn't cut any fur. just make sure there isnt anything causing the matts such as a discharge. you can examine her by gently yet firmly grabbing her at the base of the tail (where the tail meets the body) in between your thumb and index finger and lifting her bottom up a bit. I have to do this to one of my males in order to do a hair ring check. She will not love this, but it is safer than you holding her over your head trying to look. Check her out and if nothing abnormal is going on, then I suggest gently brushing the matts out with a fine comb or a chinchilla comb. if they are tough matts, then you may have to gently pull until she naturally slips the matt.

 

[Spoof]

You can remove them any way you feel comfortable. If you've got a pair of clippers you can use those, too.

Scissors, pulling, brush=pulling, just get them broken up so her skin can breathe and they should stay away. )

 

[arf2184]

Stains down there are usually just from them sitting in wet pee, like on a shelf or bare corner.

I typically comb out tush matts. Pulling them out with your fingers works too. Cutting the fur is not going to hurt the chin, but I try to avoid having scissors near squirming chins.

Whatever you decide to do, just grab the base of her tail and lift her tush up, letting her rest her front paws on the floor, your lap, or a table. She'll probably squirm so I suggest wrapping your whole hand around the tail, not just holding with two fingers. Some will throw a little fit over this, but it doesn't hurt them and it allows you to do what you gotta do.

 

[Riven]

Please dont use scissors. Chins have super thin skin and are usually jumpy especially when you're doing something new. It's like giving a 3 yr old a steak knife and telling them to run around the yard with it.

 

[Ilysuiteheart]

I definitly wont use scissors. Way too risky and shes a squirmer when it comes to being held still. I am going to wait till tommorow and do it so I can have help.
I am gonna feel so bad because she finally trust me and now shes gonna get all scared and hate me :/

 

[Riven]

plucking is usually the quickest way. Just grab a matt and gently pull it quickly, it will come out surprisingly easy. reward her good behavior with a nice dust bath! She'll feel better and be happier for it!

 

[Ilysuiteheart]

I took her matts out today, without the use of sharp objects. She had alot more than I realized because she has never let me feel around there before. It was really matted and slightly urine stained. No discharge that I saw. Most matts came out fairly easy but some were stubborn. She has a small almost bald spot between her butt and her tail now but it was so bad. She was kinda mad at me after but she wasnt terrified or anything. I hope it didnt hurt her. She went and hid her tail under the crack and the door if i just reached to pet her xD. She got a treat and a dustbath after. She's fine with me now

Is there a way I can prevent this in the future?
Any ideas of why it was matted so bad?