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Post by deguconvert on May 3, 2017 5:45:53 GMT
Degloving of the tail is actually quite common. The skin on the tail is kind of a fail safe in that it seems designed to break away if a predator has hold of it, which allows the degu an opportunity to escape. Her tail was just doing something it is supposed to do. Nico's reaction is also pretty common. I can't tell you how many of us have totally flipped out and come down super hard on ourselves for the very same cause. This was an accident, and though it has resulted in something that looks pretty gory, it seems to phase degus very little. They let the degloved part dry out, they eventually chew off that part, and there it is, a tail that looks shorter but healthy. Had any of us been holding the degu by the tail and dangling it, well that would be another matter. It wasn't the case though, and all will be OK. Nico, receive from us, and give to yourself, the grace that is freely given. Forgive yourself. Keep on loving your beautiful degus.
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Post by uglibug on May 3, 2017 9:32:39 GMT
We've got poor old Lofty who kept degloving her own tail on things. She now has no tail left at all, she looks really funny and it took her a while to get her balance right but she's absolutely fine with it. Don't panic, it's not a big deal for them.
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Post by adsh on May 3, 2017 9:48:22 GMT
I think it may be worse for the owner than the Degu, I was so upset when Stump lost some of her tail, kept looking around the cage trying to find what had happened, pampered her loaded her up with Degu treats etc now shes happy and the most tame of all
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Post by moletteuk on May 3, 2017 10:09:18 GMT
It's soooo common, I reckon at least 2/3 of people who have or have had 4 or 5 goos will have at least one with a degloved tail, I think more of the regulars on the forum have one than don't. It's also perfectly natural to feel shocked and devasted, especially as it was a hands on incident, but as the shock passes you must tell yourself strongly it isn't your fault, just an accident that can happen to anyone, and a completely natural process. I don't have any degloved goos, but I've trodden on a tail and partial leg before, kicked degus more than once, knocked them off shelves, and many other things, it just happens, they are so curious and so strong willed it's just inevitable. Think about her totally unconcerned face eating that almond lol!!! One time I had been in the cupboard under the cage and forgot to put the stool back that they use to come and go from the cage. Alice leapt out of the cage in her carefree style and then time slowed down, she hung in mid air motionless with this epic look of surprise on her face and then splatted on the floor wondering what the **** happened! I even did this again last week to a lesser degree, we had been closing them in at night because Flossie has strained her leg; they now have a little set of steps from the lip of the cage down the 8" to the top of the stool and this has to be moved to open or close the door. I opened the cage and forgot to put the steps back, Alice did her jump 'with abandon' over the lip of the cage and once more was very surprised to suddenly be 8" lower and not gracefully perched on the step. I know these aren't gory examples, they are just the ones at the tip of my tongue, I guess I'm trying to make the point that keeping degus is joy, fun and a full heart interspersed with a never ending catalogue of errors that we just have to make the best of and get used to!
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Post by zenaida on May 3, 2017 11:59:29 GMT
Thank you everyone for the stories! Nico is still sleeping, but I'll share it with him when he's up.
I'm pretty sure it is LaBarbara who has the injury. It is either her or Linda, and the way I can (sometimes) tell them apart is by size.
She's still in the travel cage right now, but I'm about to release her back in with the others. The tail looks sort of ok right now. Near the break off site there's some dark red blood that makes me concerned that it isn't fully done bleeding...
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Post by zenaida on May 3, 2017 12:56:47 GMT
All seems to be well here. She went back in and was welcomed by her sisters. A round of treats went out. After her treat, she settled deep into the toilet paper nest. A couple of her sisters seemed to be looking out for her. The nest is quiet now. I think she's sleeping, maybe she got a bad night's sleep being all on her own? Anyway, she seems fine. I have work now, I won't have more updates until much later.
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Post by bouncy on May 3, 2017 14:30:18 GMT
The sisters were probably getting a little enthusiastic in helping her get rid of the bone, the little cannibals I hope Nico's recovered from his trauma too. Remember, keep him warm, lie him down with feet raised, and reassure him. Standard treatment for shock
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Post by deguconvert on May 3, 2017 17:44:36 GMT
And a human sized snuggle pad!!
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Post by zenaida on May 4, 2017 12:38:26 GMT
Mini update: The tail is slowly being chewed at. Everything looks fine health wise I think.
Nico is gradually working his way back to interacting with them. He's been giving them WAY too many treats, but I'm allowing it for now. He even stroked one of them along their side last night with his finger while she was engaged with a treat. So I think he's on his way to recovery as well. He keeps saying "she looks sad" and I've told him that I think he's projecting his emotions on to her because I don't think she looks sad. I told him I think she's annoyed, so he returned the favor suggesting that I'm projecting my emotions on her...
I think my only question left is when do I put the sand bath back? I think it is still too early now, but I want to know what I should look for a signs to put it back.
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Post by moletteuk on May 4, 2017 14:09:34 GMT
LOL @ the projecting emotions. I fall into that trap a lot, especially now my girls are getting older and less active.
I would guess 7 to 10 days until it has fully sealed itself for the sand to go back in, possibly longer if they keep nibbling it and providing entry points for bacteria. Separate her for a while if you want to give the others a chance to bathe before then.
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