Injured Tail (Degu)

Skipper2002 · 08-28-2003, 05:59 PM

Cruiser and Gusto got in a fight, and almost half of gusto's tail is ripped of, and all you can see is his bone . It was ripped of whole, as the end is in the cage. I have gusto in an aquarium with paper towl on the bottom. It is bleeding and I don't know what to do!!!! Please help, he's acting normal, and I cleaned it but it keeps getting dirty.

I know degus shed their tail when you pick them up by it, is this kind of like that??

Please Help, thanks, Erin...

kingsborochins · 08-28-2003, 06:10 PM

I dont' know anything about degus but if you suspect trouble, GO TO A VET!! Tails in general in rodents are not very sensitive, that is why it may not be bothering him. However, infection can set in so I suggest a vet trip.

Cinnamon · 08-28-2003, 06:32 PM

I agree with Ilse

Poor thing, I hope he gets better soon

bear · 08-28-2003, 11:43 PM

I agree as well, if the bleeding don't stop then get to a vet. My degu lost her tail in a fight too, but she is okay. I just made sure it stayed clean and put neosporine on the wound. I hope he will be okay. Keep us update on him okay Erin.
Cheryl

Candycane · 08-29-2003, 12:46 AM

Does the cut look big enough that it will need stitches to be closed? Or does it look like it will heal on it's own? I saw an episode of emergency vets where a rat lost part of its tail. A couple stitches were needed to close the wound and the rat was good as new. I would say that if it has stopped bleeding and crusts over, stitches are not needed. Make sure to keep it clean with peroxide once a day for about the first 3 and then saline for the rest of the healing process. Apply a thin layer or Neosporin to prevent infection.

Good luck.

bear · 08-29-2003, 02:01 AM

Thanks Candice. I never even thought of that. Great idea.
Cheryl

Skipper2002 · 08-29-2003, 09:22 AM

Thanks guys. He's doing much better. He's acting himself. eating and drinking, and runing around like crazy.

His fluffy bit of the tail came right off, leaving the bone exposed. We cleaned and put peroxide on it last night, so now it is drying up. The has stopped, but for some reason it it will slightly drib every few hours. I think it stopped this morning. The is only like an inch of so gone.

I read on the internet that the bone will dry up and fall of, or the degu will chew it off. Gusto don't seem to interested in it, it it will probably dry up.

After I posted, we phoned the vet, and the only exotic pet available was today at 9 00 in the morning. THe lady said to just keep him clean, and only take him if gets an infection.

Thanks for your help, Erin .

suzoo · 08-29-2003, 09:39 AM

That's great to hear...thanks for the update!

bear · 08-29-2003, 11:18 AM

That is awesome news Erin. Thanks for letting us know what happened.
Cheryl

Candycane · 09-02-2003, 02:59 PM

Moving to the Emergency Archive.