Hips/Back end

There are a few things going on with Emmett and I know I need to take him to the vet, but I've been putting it off since I don't have a vet close by since I moved.

First he has lost fur around his neck.  Its not red, or scabby or itchy.  Its just furless.  Just his skin.

Secondly he has been having pain in his hip area.  He jumps and runs and plays but when I pet him there or if I pick him up and I hold him in that area he cringes and sometimes goes to bite me.

This pain would come and go, but he seems to have had it for the past few days.

I took him to a vet about a year and a half ago in my area and he was a horrible vet and I will never take any animal there again.  I have been given a name of another vet not far from here that was recommend.  I would love to take him to his normal vet in London, but is about an hour drive and he really doesn't like being in the car that much.  I don't want to over stress him with the car ride and then a trip to the vet.

If anyone has any ideas what could be up with him I would love to know. 

If he's in enough pain to react to you petting him, which I assume used to illicit a pleasant reaction, the stress of the vet will be worth it if it means he'll get some pain relief. I would sooner toss some treats and a familiar blanket in the carrier and haul him off in the car.

If you want some reassurance of the vet you've been recommended or would like to find another, I suggest checking out this link and others like it (Yelp, Google reviews, etc.): http://www.vetratingz.com/searchResults.jsp?thingname=&city=london&state=ON&zip=&radius=10

You can also see if there are mobile vets who can come visit you instead. I'm not sure how limited they would be in a home environment though, depending on what equipment they deem necessary to get answers for you.

http://londonmobilevet.ca/

http://tricitymobilevet.net/

I've no idea what the fur could be - a lot of things could cause fur loss. Could be some sort of exterior irritation, or it could be something working from the inside out. Best have a vet see it and run any necessary diagnostics. If we keep putting off problems, they seldom go away and will exacerbate causing more unnecessary pain and suffering, not to mention bills and stress.

Best of luck!