Why is my gerbil losing hair on his face?
Gerbils may lose patches of hair on many parts of their body. For example, if the gerbil has lost hair on its face, it may be due to the constant rubbing on the metal cage feeders constantly or its excessive burrowing. Meanwhile, hair loss in the tail and hindquarter areas can result from cage overcrowding, fighting wounds,...
Why does my gerbil have a bare patch on its belly?
Scent gland tumors are usually caused by your gerbil over-marking - running its scent gland over areas it wants to mark over and over. Because your gerbil will be dragging its belly over things, over-marking can also cause their bellies to look over-groomed. A bare patch on your gerbil's belly can indicate that there might be a tumor.
Do Gerbils have scent gland problems?
Scent gland problems are pretty common in gerbils, and usually aren't much to worry about. Checking for small, bald patches on your gerbil's belly regularly will help you spot potential tumors, as will giving your gerbil's belly a quick rub to check for bumps.
What is alopecia in gerbils?
Alopecia is the complete or partial loss of hair in areas where it is normally present. This is a common disorder in gerbils and depending on the underlying cause, it can be treated. Alopecia is extremely noticeable, characterized as a varied or symmetrical loss of hair. Other signs include:
Is it normal for gerbils to lose hair?
A gerbil shedding fur is normal. If your gerbil is younger than four months of age, it may be going through its juvenile molting phase. But adults lose fur every day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. As long as your gerbil's coat is looking shiny and full, there's nothing to worry about.
Why is there a patch of fur missing on my hamster?
Causes. The are many things that can lead to hair loss in a hamster, including: Rubbing on metal cage feeders or excessive burrowing (hair loss around the face) Cage overcrowding, wounds from fighting, hair chewing by cage mates (hair loss around the tail and hindquarters)
Is it normal for my hamster to have a bald spot?
It is completely normal for hamsters to shed. If this is the cause of your pet's hair loss, don't worry. After its shedding process, their hair will grow back, and your pet hamster will have its luscious coat once again.
Why is my gerbil molting?
Gerbils do molt. The molt from pup to adult sheds out their soft, fuzzy baby fur and replaces it with a smooth and sleek coat. Nutmeg gerbils change color dramatically, from a pumpkin-orange to a brown and black ticked coat. After that, gerbils molt periodically throughout their lives.
How do I know if my hamster has mites?
The hamster's skin may appear irritated, inflamed, or reddened, especially around the ears, face, feet, and tail. Due to its intense urge to scratch at the affected areas, it may attempt to rubbing itself on cage wire. Other common signs of mite infestation include: Rough, dry, and scaly skin (in prolonged cases)
How do you treat hamster hair loss?
You might be alarmed if your hamster starts losing its hair, but don't worry -- there are many options for treating the problem. To get a diagnosis that can help treat your hamster's hair loss, take it to the vet. Your vet might recommend that you adjust your hamster's diet or give it vitamins and supplements.
How do hamsters get ringworm?
Cause. Most cases of ringworm are caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes, though Microsporum fungi can also cause infection in hamsters. Both types of fungi are typically transmitted from infected hamsters or via contaminated objects such as bedding material.
How does a hamster get mites?
How do hamsters get mites? Hamster mites are spread by close proximity to other hamsters. Your hamster may have brought mites home with her from the pet store, shelter, or breeder. Some common mites, like Demodex, typically only show signs if your hamster has an underlying condition.
What is hamster mange?
Mange is caused by small mites that live in the hair follicles and skin. Mange symptoms include dry, scaly skin and fur loss. Symptoms are usually concentrated around the ears or on the hamster's back. Home treatments are possible but they will not treat any potential underlying diseases.
Does gerbil fur grow back?
Gerbils' tails don't grow back; that's a physiological adaptation unique to lizards. Mammals can't grow back body parts that have been lost. Once the tail is lost, it's gone for good. However, gerbils can live full and happy lives without their tails.
Do gerbils fur change color?
Gerbils can change color. Color changes are usually related to age. So, for example, a gerbil will develop darker fur as it ages, or its pattern will become more pronounced. Take nutmeg gerbils, for example, which are a slightly darker and deeper brown than agoutis.
How do you treat a gerbil tail slip?
Tail slip has only one treatment and that is amputation of the part of the tail that has rotted away due to exposure. Your veterinarian will perform the surgery, and in most cases the affected gerbil will completely recovery.
How do hamsters get ringworm?
Cause. Most cases of ringworm are caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes, though Microsporum fungi can also cause infection in hamsters. Both types of fungi are typically transmitted from infected hamsters or via contaminated objects such as bedding material.
What is hamster mange?
Mange is caused by small mites that live in the hair follicles and skin. Mange symptoms include dry, scaly skin and fur loss. Symptoms are usually concentrated around the ears or on the hamster's back. Home treatments are possible but they will not treat any potential underlying diseases.
Do hamsters lose their fur when they get old?
Older hamsters might also start to lose their fur. Hamsters are born blind, and bald, and unfortunately some hammies end up like that in their old age. You might start seeing bald patches in your hamster's fur. Or it might just become sparse, and the hairs themselves will not be as soft and shiny as before.
peter0 PetForums VIP
Sorry i can't help i dont have gerbils. I'd post this in the 'rodent' section you will get a faster response
Crittery PetForums Member
Have you changed substrate recently? Or introduced any new seeds to her mix? I'd be worrying about allergies.
hayleyth PetForums Senior
It could be caused by over grooming which can be caused by stress? or bullying of the other?
Why do gerbils have a bare patch on their belly?
Because your gerbil will be dragging its belly over things , over-marking can also cause their bellies to look over-groomed. A bare patch on your gerbil's belly can indicate that there might be a tumor.
Why do gerbils rub their scent glands?
Male gerbils will rub the scent gland over things to mark their territory. If you have more than one or two male gerbils in one habitat, they'll scent more, which can cause a tumor in their scent gland. Consider putting in a scent diffuser. Even if your gerbil is the only male in the habitat, check its marking habits.
How to remove a smell gland tumor in a gerbil?
Get your gerbil surgery. To remove a scent gland tumor, your gerbil will have to undergo surgery. Your vet can explain the risks to you based on your gerbil's health and age, but it's a pretty low-risk surgery.
How to tell if a gerbil has a tumor?
You'll notice some flaky skin, or it might look like there's a bit of powder on your gerbil's belly. Look for redness or swelling. If a tumor does develop on your gerbil's scent gland, it might cause its scent gland to become inflamed. If you notice a red, swollen area on your gerbil's belly, take it to the vet.
What to do if you find a tumor in a gerbil?
If you do find a tumor, take your gerbil to the vet right away— the sooner your vet can remove the tumor, the better for your gerbil. You can also take steps to make sure your gerbil gets scent gland tumors less frequently. Steps.
What happens if a gerbil has a tumor?
If a tumor does develop on your gerbil's scent gland, it might cause its scent gland to become inflamed. If you notice a red, swollen area on your gerbil's belly, take it to the vet. Even if it's not a tumor, it won't hurt to get your gerbil checked out. Run your finger over any bare patches.
What does a diffuser do to a gerbil?
A pheromone diffuser sort of tricks your gerbil into thinking it's already marked its habitat. If a gerbil isn't over-marking its territory, a tumor has less chance of forming.
Symptoms and Types
- Alopecia is extremely noticeable, characterized as a varied or symmetrical loss of hair. Other signs include: 1. Depression 2. Weight loss 3. Scaling of the skin 4. Skin inflammation 5. Severe itching and reddening of the skin (especially in the case of ectoparasite infestations)
Diagnosis
- Other than conducting a thorough medical history on the gerbil, your veterinarian may run blood tests on the animal (in the case of nutritional deficiencies) or microscopically examine skin scrapings (in the case of ectoparasitic infestations) to diagnosis the alopecia.
Treatment
- If your gerbil is suffering from parasites such as ticks or mites, your veterinarian might advocate the use of paraciticidal agents to eradicate the infestation. If the hair loss is due to a nutritional cause, on the other hand, the veterinarian might prescribe some vitamin and mineral supplements to help overcome the deficiency. Oral corticosteroids and anti-histaminic agents or topical cortic…
Living and Management
- If vitamin and mineral supplements have been prescribed for the gerbil, make sure you follow your veterinarian's dosage regimen. Otherwise, clean and disinfect the gerbil's cage, especially in cases of ectoparasitic infestations.
Prevention
- Because of the various factors which can lead to hair loss, it may be hard to prevent alopecia in all cases, however, ensuring your gerbil is kept parasite-free and is fed a nutritional and well-balanced diet may help prevent hair loss.