Eamon
Foraging Degu
My Boys: Gucci, Prada and Benetton
Posts: 91
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Tail
May 4, 2006 10:06:21 GMT
Post by Eamon on May 4, 2006 10:06:21 GMT
okay, this is a little urgent and a tad bit gross (i think). I just came home from school and found that Dior is missing the fur AND skin on the tip of his tail. I'm talking about two or three centimeters of tail, which is just pink and skinless. I think he must have gotten it stuck somewhere, but i can't find the skin in the cage. how much is he hurting? I know they can drop their tail as a defence mechanism, but is he hurting so bad I should take him to the vet? he looks like it's at least sore, (but he ate the peanut I gave him,).... and it looks really disgusting, but most of all I'm scared he'll get infected. I just changed the bedding, but I just don't know what to do...!?
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Tail
May 4, 2006 12:27:40 GMT
Post by thegrouchybeast on May 4, 2006 12:27:40 GMT
The books and web pages I've seen say that degus will deal with that kind if injury fine by themselves, and don't need a trip to the vet. The exposed bit of tail should die and dry up, and then the degu will chew it off. I guess you just need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected. The Degutopia FAQ suggests bathing the tail in saline. The entry is at the very bottom of this page: www.btinternet.com/~p.long/degutopia/deguhealthfaq.htm
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Eamon
Foraging Degu
My Boys: Gucci, Prada and Benetton
Posts: 91
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Tail
May 4, 2006 14:22:58 GMT
Post by Eamon on May 4, 2006 14:22:58 GMT
thank you so much. i was really worried as it looked really bad... thank you...
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Tail
May 4, 2006 16:14:21 GMT
Post by ra on May 4, 2006 16:14:21 GMT
Do keep an eye on him. If he seems lethargic or his tail appears infected you will have to take him to the vets immediately. Why not call your vet and ask if there is something you should be doing?
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Tail
May 4, 2006 17:10:51 GMT
Post by Sunshinemeg on May 4, 2006 17:10:51 GMT
I have to disagree with the other posts on this thread I am afraid. My degu Gromit was given to us by a garden centre when we kicked up a fuss that his tail had not been looked at by a vet. Our original degu Gizmo lost his tail when he escaped down the back of a reclining chair. We took him to the vet who cleane it up, cut of the damaged part of the tail and popped a few stitches in the end. So when we saw Gromit at the garden centre with a damaged tail, we asked if he had seen a vet.
Anyway, long story short, your degu needs to have the tail looked at. the vet will then cut off the damaged, dead end and tidy it up. if this doesnt happen the wound can become infected and the dead end will work its way up the tail towards the body. the longer the damaged part of the tail is, the greater the risk of the injury never fully healing.
dont panic that he is in a lot of pain, yes it is probably sore for him, but not excessively so. I would just make sure you take him to a vet as soon as you can to ease the problem.
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