Barney's belly has gone bald . . .

[elmuervo]

Don't laugh, he's very touchy about it!

Seriously, over the past couple of weeks his tummy hair has moulted to the point that it has completely disappeared, and now when he's roaching his chest is starting to look like Duncan Goodhews head. The baldness has spread as far as the white flash on his chest (and into it a little bit), so it's really quite extensive. The rest of him is just as furry as normal, though he is going through a full moult and has also nibbled some of his thigh hair off

Is this a symptom of anything, or just his body reacting the central heating? Do we need to worry?

Our vet's not the most approachable of people if he thinks you're wasting his time / being obsessive (that's me! ;D), so I don't want to have to go to see him with a partially bald, trembling Barney (who clearly fears the vet almost as much as me! ) unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks

Jo
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[Jen Wren]

I could be wrong but it could be just the general moulting process. Their thighs are strange beings and I find they can grow the hair back and lose it quite easily.

I think with a vet like that, I would consider changing. We have all gone to the vets at some point with problems that have turned out to be erm not problems but it doesn't help if the vet makes you feel bad about it. It puts you off going when there could be a potentially serious problem.

[Granny Whirlwind]

Hello! I agree on changing vets - if you are at all worried you should be able to pop in (after all you are paying!)... but on the baldness front our wilfred has been totally bald on the belly for about 5 years now! He only ever had very fine hair on his belly, now he looks like a plucked chicken.. but all clear from the vets & we haven't worried about it since. He has other bald patches too from the various bumps & bashes he's subjected himself too - but wears them like war medals!!

[vickyb]

I'd be looking for a new vet too!
River lost all his tummy fur after rampant mange 2 wks after we got him. It finally grew back this year after 10 years
I'd guess its Barneys moult, central heating but I'd want to check with the vet just in case it could be a symptom of something else, hormonal?
And yes, as I pay the bill, I figure that they have no right to make me feel uncomfortable. My vets just say they'd rather see something and nothing than something be missed.
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