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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 17, 2014 3:40:05 GMT
Pixel has a very dry scaly tail. He does have a tiny tiny bit of fur at the very end of his tail but other then that small patch nothing. Is there something I can put on his tail to moisten it lol? I came across an article here mentioning evening primrose capsules before just can't find it now and not sure if I can use that on his tail. If anyone has any thing to suggest it's greatly appreciated thanks.
And yes he is alone for now as we are going to get him neutered and introduced to 2 females. But first we have to hear back from the pet shop.
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Post by Karma on Oct 17, 2014 4:22:24 GMT
You could use a small amount of coconut oil or mineral oil should be safe as well, or an oatmeal paste (would be very tempting to lick off though lol) ..... Rub it in as much as possible so there isn't much for him to lick off (or distract with some yummy seeds). Has the scaly part gotten any bigger over time? I would worry about possible mites or ring worm depending how bad it looks - could always just be dry skin though of course.
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Post by ilikedegus on Oct 17, 2014 10:01:18 GMT
I wouldn't think mineral oil - he's bound to try tasting it, and it might give him the runs. Also in some humans mineral oil will worsen a skin condition. I'd suggest adding some seeds to his diet. Seeds are high in Omega-3 and perhaps other trace substances that are good for the skin. Natural Health practitioners suggest these for humans - hence the Evening Primrose oil. I acquired our late Manny from a lady who was giving him free access to as many seeds as he wanted (flax, pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, sesame - a human-food mix from an expensive supermarket). We took him off that, but he arrived with us as a very glossy, sleek boy. I'd suggest a little of this (a few seeds a week) might be worth a try, he will love them so don't let him eat too many as it's not his wild diet of course. I'm sure you can buy bags at wholefood stores or supermarkets - it's certainly easy to find in the UK now. Random find - not a complete mix but if you can't find it locally: www.ebay.ca/itm/Organic-Triple-Omega-Seed-Mix-NOW-12-oz-/171482004003?pt=US_Dietary_Supplements_Nutrition&hash=item27ed1fba23Karma's suggestion of coconut oil is good, and also the oat paste is something you can use for eczema and similar in humans. However both will be bit tasty to a goo, so proceed with caution ;-)
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 17, 2014 16:40:54 GMT
Ok thanks so much you two! I'm going to use coconut oil and a omega 3 seed mix. Although how long should I do the coconut oil thing for? a week? Longer? Or just when ever it's needed? And does 1/2 a teaspoon of seed mix sound good to give every day?
Also it hasn't gotten any bigger from the time I got him from the SPCA. I'll try post a picture when I get home.
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 17, 2014 20:24:19 GMT
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Post by ilikedegus on Oct 18, 2014 10:17:40 GMT
OK so our degus' tails are similarly scaly but Pixel's scales do look a bit more raised from the skin than is usual - plus you mention bumps and a drier bit.
Karma's suggestion about mites or ringworm is good - really worth checking out with a vet.
However a vet may prescribe steroid cream to see if that improves it. Personally I wouldn't put this on my degu unless really needed short-term to alleviate inflamed itchy symptoms, but that is only my personal opinion/feeling and I'm not a vet.
I think half a teaspoon of Omega-3 mix is a bit too much daily. Again PERSONALLY I'd give maybe 1/8-1/4 of a teaspoon daily for a few weeks to see if it improves things, but then cut back. Others may disagree with me; the oil content being high, the calorie-content is high, you don't want to fatten your boy up. What I am suggesting is a short-term trial to see if it helps Pixel's tail skin.
Can I just say that if your vet is not interested/educated in nutrition and natural medicine (and many aren't), s/he may discount the Omega-3. I know from experience that it can help humans and that is my basis for suggesting it - again I'm not a vet.
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 18, 2014 13:16:58 GMT
Thanks ilikedegusI will be trying the seed and oil on the tail before going to the vet. Just I'm not too sure if it could be mites or ringworm as he dosent ich himself that much (only iches when he hasn't had a sand bath cause he kicked bedding into it lol) although I will suggest the possibity to the vet later on.
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Post by Karma on Oct 18, 2014 13:30:51 GMT
Honestly that tail looks exactly like scaly foot on a canary which is caused by mites ...... Try the cocunut oil and omega 3 for a week and if it's not significantly better I think a vet visit would be implicated. A weak iodine solution would treat ringworm but it is drying so if it's not ......
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 19, 2014 12:35:55 GMT
Would I be able to see the ringworm if I looked closely at his skin?
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 20, 2014 10:12:54 GMT
I think it would be hard to identigy ringworm on a tail as there isn't a flat area for the ring shape to develop (it's just a fungal infection, no actual worms).
I think I agree with the others about adding some oil seeds to the diet and moisturising as a first step.
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 20, 2014 18:27:28 GMT
Ok hopefully it is just dry skin though. He loves the seeds already and dosent seem bothered by me rubbed the oil on his tail. He dosent even try to lick if off.
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 23, 2014 23:02:37 GMT
Just wanted to update that Pixels tail is getting better. It doesn't look as rough anymore and isn't as dry. I'll keep going with the seeds and oil for a bit longer though.
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 24, 2014 10:21:30 GMT
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 24, 2014 12:29:47 GMT
Thanks, I'll take a look at the link later in the day.
If they need seeds in their diet what specific seeds should I add? The mix I have right now doesn't have linseed in it. Instead it has two types of flax, buckwheat, and hemp. Is that good?
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 24, 2014 14:15:47 GMT
Linseed is another name for flax. Hemp is also good for skin and fur. Buckwheat is a starch so is not particularly beneficial. Your overall choice depends how low in calcium the rest of the diet is, which depends on which hard feed and how much forage they are getting.
Generally something like a mix of nigella, fennel, cumin, coriander, sesame, flax, hemp would be good.
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Post by littlepaws1999 on Oct 24, 2014 18:01:36 GMT
Well I feed him martins little friends Timothy guinea pig pellets which has 1% calcium and oxbow hay
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