Causes Of Alopecia And Fur Loss In Degus
Alopecia and fur loss are the most common problems after dental issues. It has affected almost one-third of degus living in captivity. The unbearable fur loss could be associated with the behavioral origin of degus or pathologies. Besides this, stress and triggers are considered the most common type of alopecia in these little creatures.
After improper teeth alignment, they suffer from localized fur loss that could have different causes such as excessive licking. The localized fur loss is the loss of hair on unexpected origins. It could be localized, diffuse, permanent, and even sometimes temporary. There could be different causes, treatments, and types of alopecia and fur loss in degus. In this blog, we will describe symptoms, treatments, reasons, causes, and types of such diseases in degus.
Symptoms
Fur loss is the primary indication, If your degu is suffering from alopecia whether it is stress-related or stereotypy. Sometimes, the localized fur loss results in the loss of hair in the front or back legs. The primary symptoms of alopecia in these little creatures are:
- Raw Skin
- Prominent lesions
- Bite Marks
- Red spots
Causes Of Fur Loss
Below are the different causes of fur loss in these little creatures.
- calcium and fiber-rich diet and proper nutrition, therefore lack of diet could result in the loss of hair.
- Sometimes because of intensive moult, these little furry companions undergo hair loss and experience stripped by places.
- Because of some drugs or medical treatments such as chemotherapy, they experience fur loss.
- Sometimes, they experience mycotic infections at the origin of hair loss such as micro fungi.
- External parasites could also be a reason for extensive alopecia and fur loss in degus.
- Because of some traumatic lesions, these little creatures face hair loss issues.
- Maintaining the hygiene of their living space is necessary. Improper hygiene could result in the accumulation of bacteria and ultimately loss of fur.
- Sometimes because of stress, pain, or injury, these creatures do excessive licking resulting in fur loss.
- They show fur-pulling behavior because of dental issues. Whenever they experience dental pain, they show fur pulling.
- Stereotypy is also a primary cause of alopecia. In this situation, they show behavior such as fur pulling, scratching, and licking because of anxiety which results in fur loss.
Types Of Alopecia And Fur Loss In Degus
There are different types of hair loss in these adorable creatures but the two most common are behavioral alopecia and mycotic infection.
Fur/Skin | The Hidden Secrets To Degu Grooming
Fur/Skin is also a part of Degu health and care, which protects your rodent from skin issues and parasites. Maintaining the proper Degu hygiene will keep their fur clean. Ignoring the maintenance of their fur/skin could lead to serious skin problems like irritation, dryness, or mites. Providing a clean and ventilated living environment is advised to promote your little one’s overall well-being.
1. Behavioral Alopecia
The immoderate licking because of stress or pain is the most common cause of hair loss. Improper housing conditions such as isolation, lack of enrichment, and dysfunctional social groups could be the reason for behavioral alopecia. The most affected areas of degus because of self-mutilation are their paws. While overgrooming could also affect the flanks and lower back of these degus.
Treatments:
To prevent the problem of fur loss, it is advised to provide them with hygienic and proper housing. Providing them with their necessities such as hiding places, wheels, and burrows will help enrich and minimize the stress. To reproduce the natural behavior enrichment such as foraging is necessary.
2. Alopecia Because Of Dermatophytosis
In the octodon degus, dermatophytosis is a mycotic infection that causes fur loss. This mycotic disease affects not only the degus but all other members of the rodent family. Providing them with antifungal treatment is advised to protect their fur from infection.
Sometimes, because of poor hygiene bacterial dermatitis accumulates and causes fur loss These parasites are transmissible to humans and can cause skin lesions.
Final Verdict!
Alopecia and fur loss in degus is a common issue that these little creatures face after being affected by malocclusion. There could be different causes of this disease such as improper diet, poor hygiene, intensive moult, medical treatments, or stress. Because of such reasons, they experience localized hair loss at different origins of their skin. Besides this, there are different types of alopecia and the most common from which degus suffer are behavioral alopecia and dermatophytosis. Providing them with a clean and hygienic place to live, proper nutrition, and enrichment will help to eliminate the chances of this disease.
