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Definition

Partial hair loss associated with grooming of self or of cage mate.

Clinical Signs

Hair loss may be noticed on abdomen, limbs, or muzzle, without signs of inflammation or scabbing. Skin will appear smooth.

Etiology

Barbering is a type of alopecia (hair loss) that is termed acquired, meaning that the rat was not born that way. It is thought to occur for one or two reasons, either behavioral brought on by stress, boredom, or of a more dominant rat over its cage mate, or through hereditary in which one of the parents, or grandparents exhibited signs. Siblings, too, may or may not show signs of over grooming.

Because the rat chews the hair so close to the skin, it gives the appearance of being clean shaven, hence the term barbering. The most common places for barbering to be seen on the body is the stomach or front legs if over grooming self, or on the muzzle, head, or shoulders of a cage mate.

In barbering the condition of the skin itself is generally not affected and its appearance will be normal without signs of inflammation, irritation, or cuts. This condition, unless irritation should develop, does not require treatment.

Photos provided in link below show effects of barbering.

• Fig. 1: Barbering.

Diagnostics

Skin assessment shows broken hair shafts or blunt ends where hair has been chewed, and absence of lesions in the area of alopecia.

Obtain history: Self barbering, or a more dominant (Alpha rat) cage mate doing the barbering.

Skin scraping results will be negative for dermatophytes or parasites.

Treatment

No specific treatment required, unless signs of irritation or inflammation develop, then see Infectious Alopecia.

See “Prevention” below to help curb the need to over groom. Note that even with diversion techniques the rat will still have the tendency to over groom self or cage mate.

Nursing Care

Ensure clean cage environment to prevent infection to skin where overgrooming is occurring.

Observe for any signs of dermatitis or inflammation.

Seek veterinarian assistance if inflammation or irritation of skin develops from overgrooming.

Outcomes

Remains free from inflammation or irritation to skin.

Prevention

Provide diversions such as toys, running wheels, play objects.

Include hidey areas such as tubes to escape at intervals from barberer.

Posted on June 16, 2003, 13:36, Last updated on May 26, 2008, 17:20 | Integumentary / Skin