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[outlaw1306]

I recently noticed some strange bumps on the back of my 3-yr-old chin, Sid. After taking a closer look, I saw a few scabs on his skin where he is missing some fur. He does have a 1-yr-old cagemate, Johnny. Sometimes, they can get a little fiesty with each other but I've never witnessed anything physical between the two of them. Could Johnny be causing these scabs? Should I separate them? Is it a possible skin disease or infection of some sort? Your helpful replies are greatly appreciated.

[Jo Ann]

  It could be any of those you mentioned, but most probably, it is them fighting ... especially, if there is a female in the same room with them.  If this is true, I would separate them a.s.a.p., before it gets fatal for one of them.  I had a father and son that lived happily in the same cage for 9 months, then a female in another cage went into season and they fought for the right to breed (survival instinct) even though neither had a chance to get to her because she was in another cage ... in season.  The father almost killed the son.  I do not like housing males together where there will be a female within smelling distance ... it is dangerous for the males.

On the other hand ... if there is no female present and you have never seen them fight ... If a chinchilla has a sore or nick on the skin, the other chinchilla will usually help heal a sore by removing the scab and cleaning it ... sometimes several times in the same day, but usually only once or twice a day.  Sometimes they can get a little to zealous and make it worse.

I would keep a close eye on them or maybe even separate them until the sore is healed.  Neosporin is great to help heal chinchillas.   

   Jo Ann

[outlaw1306]

Well, there isn't a female present, just the two of them. I put some neosporin on the scabs and I'll check on him more tomorrow. If things get worse or I notice more scabs I'll put the divider up in the cage and let them be separate for awhile. Thanks so much for your help.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

I have some that roll backwards over huts and tubes, sometimes they pull out fur leaving bald spots.
Once one scraped the skin off the back of his neck.
Just something else to keep an eye out for.

[Deanna]

I don't know.  But be careful! 

[balletgirl]

Sometimes my chinchilla rolls backwards over his hut too!