Civie with bald spots on hocks?

[MommaOfMuse]

Today while I was trimming everyone's claws I noticed Patches our 19lb civie has about dime size bald patches on his "heels" of his back legs. He is in no way walking on his hocks. But both spots look like callouses. They are dry and rough looking, they don't seem to hurt him. He is running and jumping fine, all the 5 P's are in place. Is this something to worry about? He is the only one with these bald spots. I haven't seen him licking at them, they are just kind of there. Could his weight have caused them? I know he isn't just fluffy...he's FAT. And we have been working on him to lose weight. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this in a civie and if it is something that needs a vet to look at?

Mel, Max & The Fur Gang

 

[Wendy and Boo (GA)]

Hi Mel-

My civie Rusty has what sounds like the same thing. I took him in to the vet and he said it's either due to problem he has with a disc in his back or arthritis. Rusty jumps around and acts fine otherwise. Here is my thread with pictures:

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=31582

 

[Jill and Remi]

My civie, Abiagil, has them too. She is overweight as well plus she has extra toes so she walks and sits a little different. I don't know if that is why she has them, but she is fine otherwise(excpet for her allergies). And my civie, Phoebe, has one on her right rear leg. Vet said he thought maybe it was like a bed sore from when she was sleeping so much from her hypoT. Her fur hasn't really grown back even though her thyroid is back in normal range. Oh, and Phoebe is not even close to being overweight. I think it must not be too unusual.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Thanks guys,

I hadn't really noticed them on Patches before, but then again he isn''t real keen on having me messing with his feet, especially trimming his claws, so they may have been there and I just didn't see them.

I got to watching him more closely last night and I think it might be the way he sits. Mr. Pudgy doesn't sit like his thinner housemates, because his stomach is in the way...lol I pulled his last blood work, which we had done in Jan of this year because of his weight (wanted to rule out thyroid issues). Everything was within normal ranges so might just be he's too tubby and sits funny. Currently he weighs about 19lbs on about a 14 lbs frame, which is better than he was when we got him and he was a whopping 23 lbs.

He is just a monster to try to get to diet, if I don't stand right there while everyone eats he will eat his food, and anyone else's he can bully his way into. Or if that fails he will wait until my back is turned, open the cupboards and help himself to things like bread, crackers, sugar cookies etc. And we even have baby locks on the cupboards,(the ones where you have to push down on the plastic bar) but he has figured out the trick to pushing down the latches.

If anyone has any ideas on how to get a few more pounds of him I would love to hear them. He is such a love I hate seeing him so heavy, as he wants to be held and cuddled but my legs go numb from his weight.

Mel, Max & The Fur Gang