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Post by degumummy137 on Nov 17, 2014 18:06:25 GMT
The tip of one of my degu's tails is raw and bloody, like the fur and skin has been pulled off. I don't know if the other one's done it (I've never witnessed them fighting) or if it's self-mutilation. I did see them sniffing at each other's tails a fair bit recently, but I figured that might just be because they're in season.
I haven't found any blood in the cage so she can't have been bleeding heavily, but I managed to get a close look at the tail and it was blood red and sore looking.
Any advice? Do I need to do anything to prevent it being infected, or will it heal on its own?
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Post by moletteuk on Nov 17, 2014 20:14:07 GMT
It sounds like the tail has degloved, which is a safety thing that allows the degu to escape if the tail gets trapped in some way. It's pretty common and often heals by itself, just keep an eye out for infection. Take the sand out to help it to stay clean.
Can you see anything it may have got caught on?
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Post by ilikedegus on Nov 17, 2014 20:18:44 GMT
Firstly and most importantly - don't worry too much, it is a frequent and natural occurrence.
Yes the fur and skin has come off, but your degu can cope with it. She may nibble the skinned bit off over the next few days - she's going to have a shorter tail in the future.
Keep an eye on it but it doesn't necessarily need a vet.
We've had 2 of these - the first one had to have some veterinary attention as the tail end got infected and he kept nibbling more and more off. The second had NO veterinary attention and is FINE, just a shorter tail.
To be honest I'm so tired I can't think straight :-( I hope someone else will see this and give you a more complete answer.
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Post by animalmadchloe on Nov 17, 2014 21:19:51 GMT
When accidently de gloved mr greys tail in the door it took off over half his tail skin he had to have surgery as the vet said it wouldn't have healed well.in it's own and.Would have ended up infected... but it was over half his tail, how much of the skin is missing if it's only the top I think it should. Be fine if the cage is kept clean
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Post by degumummy137 on Nov 17, 2014 21:57:25 GMT
It's only the very tip, that's why I didn't think it had degloved. I'll remove the sand from the cage and keep checking it. Does anyone know how to tell if it's getting infected early on?
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Post by degumummy137 on Nov 17, 2014 21:59:37 GMT
And I can't think what it could've got trapped in, but it's a possibility. They don't have a wheel or any toys with narrow gaps, and she hasn't been in her ball recently ...
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Post by animalmadchloe on Nov 17, 2014 22:37:39 GMT
Erm the surrounding area very hot to touch or very red, pus tbh that's all I can think of hopefully someone can give you more obvious things that Iv left out my brain is asleep lol
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wiegieboard
Newborn Degu
2 degus, Scar and Bambam.
Posts: 2
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Post by wiegieboard on Nov 24, 2014 22:29:51 GMT
My little fella had about a good inch and a half de glove today. Felt terrible for him and took him to the vet right away for surgery. He's at home now a little groggy from anesthetic and has been spoiled with some really tasty dry leaves and oats. 160 quid gone but it'll save him the pain of so much exposed skin and I know it'll heal well. I reckon I'd probably always take him to the vet though I know other people leave it if it's a smaller section of the tail.
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