Mat in fur

Candycane · 07-26-2007, 07:02 PM

I'm not sure how it formed but it appears that Zoya has a mat in her back end. I've given her a bath everyday this week but it doesn't appear to be loosening. I'm not really sure how to get it out? Should I try to cut it out? It's not very big but it is quite close to the skin. I originally thought that she had slipped fur because her fur looked a bit disheveled but no, it's a mat.

suzoo · 07-27-2007, 11:19 AM

I'm not sure what to suggest. If you decide to cut it, maybe just cut through the middle of the mat instead of underneath it so you don't risk cutting the skin... then work on separating the cut mat with your fingers & then comb it. I'm not sure if that will work the same with chinchillas but that's what I do with mats on cats or dogs that are close to the skin..
Let me know what you end up doing so I'll know if I ever encounter the same thing.

outbackchin · 07-27-2007, 04:43 PM

Do you have a grooming comb? My Nala gets mats sometimes around her bottom and I carefully comb it out...its actually pretty easy once you get it started.

Let us know if you try something else...I would love to know other ways

suzoo · 07-27-2007, 09:42 PM

Amanda.. does the combing pull the mat out in a clump leaving a bald spot or does it come untangled?

outbackchin · 07-28-2007, 07:10 AM

Pulls out the clump...depends how bad the mat is but usually doesn't leave a bald spot.

Debbie · 07-28-2007, 12:52 PM

I try to pick it apart with my finger first, if I can, as much as possible.
Then I go to the comb, mine hate the comb.
Dear old Cody used to get one, looked like he was growing an extra tail.
It was so small I could just pluck it out.
Spots like that seem to grow back pretty quick.

Candycane · 07-29-2007, 08:12 PM

She actually had one in a similar spot when Hazel was sick because Hazel was being handfed and then she'd go snuggle with Zoya and get gunk all over her.

But that one was more gunky towards the ends of the hair so I just used a flea comb to get it out. This one seems quite a bit deeper.

I'll try a combination of all three and let you know.

Kippo · 07-30-2007, 08:38 AM

gunky? hmm is it like black-ish and feels really coarse? that happened with Kuki once, luckily right before she was scheduled for a checkup with the vet, so when I asked him he said all I need to do is get a soapy cloth (dish soap + water, like you'd use to clean a table) and carefully rub the area without going too deep.sorry if that's not what you're talking about lol when you originally said mat i thought it was a tangle but then you mentioned "gunk" so i thought maybe it was the same problem i had with my chin!

Candycane · 07-30-2007, 08:00 PM

Nope, the gunk was from the last time, about 6 months ago.

Candycane · 08-03-2007, 05:03 PM

So I tried the comb first (there were actually two mats) but because it was a flea comb, I think that it was too fine. I couldn't really get a good grip beneath the mat.

She slipped quite a bit of fur when I was trying to use the comb so I thought maybe she would just slip the mat. I pinched the base of the mat and applied a bit of tension on the mat. Sure enough, she slipped the mat quite easily. There didn't seem to be any discomfort, she didn't wiggle or bark. I'm positive that she slipped the fur versus me plucking it out. I was actually surprised at how easy it was.

So I guess there's a few ways that they can come out. The breeders combs probably work great though...just the flea comb I had wasn't the same.