Question:
This chin gave birth on Sunday to one beautiful and healthy baby girl. Tonight when I was checking on mom and baby, I noticed this bald line on her belly. It's an inch wide and about 3 inches long. There is a small bite mark probably inflicted by the kit. I'm keeping it clean and dry and so far, no signs of infection...I'm keeping a close eye on it. Has anyone seen this balding in nursing mothers? I've heard of balding around the nipples, but I've never seen this. She's bald clear down to her pink skin!
Can anyone tell me if this is common and what should I do about it? Obviously if her bite wound starts looking infected she will go immediately to the vet, but the balding is what is confusing me. The male has not been with her since I found the kit (he was in another female's cage anyway) and she wasn't bald yesterday.


Answer:
Aww, poor girl I've never seen it, but I'm sure someone will be able to help you
I can't imagine she enjoyed being hung upside down


Answer:
Hmmmmm, I've seen balding in nursing mother's but only around the nipple area. I would be a bit concerned about that and the purplish colouration to her skin and genital area (unless that's just the camera lighting).
Carleen


Answer:
could it be discolored becuase of just having a baby tho? I dont know about chins but I know with humans things dont look right for a few days,,
I dont know about the balding but it doesnt look normal, could the baby be chewing the fur off??


Answer:
Yes it could be discoloured because she did only have the kit a few days ago. I've never actually seen the belly skin like that after a delivery to know for sure though.
Has her milk come in properly yet?
Carleen


Answer:
That's not chewing, I don't think. IF the baby is nursing on her back, under mom, her feet could be removing the fur and scratching her, much like nursing clears the area around her nipple. Is the area hard to the touch? If so, it could also be mastitis.


Answer:
Baby is gaining and suckling fine...she does indeed nurse on her back under mom. The skin is a little rough to the touch but probably due to losing the hair if it was pulled out. It's not "hard" though...
Coloring is due to the camera flash...she's actually the same color as all my other females in the genital area


Answer:
Originally Posted by Cinnamon
I can't imagine she enjoyed being hung upside down
Her front feet were on the table Otherwise she would have been kicking up a storm and I wouldn't have been able to get a good pic


Answer:
For those interested, I E-mailed Jags and he said some females just go overboard cleaning up after birth. The hair should start growing back in a few weeks.
I don't think it's a fungus or anything because the hair around it is strong in the folicle and it's not spreading. I'm still going to keep an eye on it but I do feel much better!


Answer:
I feel your relief, and am glad that things are looking less, well, perhaps we could say, risky? perilous? maybe even...hairy? Seriously, I am glad that you have had some positive news. I'd never seen that before either. Congratulations on the new baby chinchilla!