partial traumatic tail amputation need advise

[Kristin Ward]

My squirrel, Willie, who's my tame baby but insists on living outdoors in a tree (with Bounty paper towels as nest material) showed up last night w/ dry blood on his tail. I got a closer look this AM and about 1.5 inches of tail missing and the bone is exposed. There's no fresh bleeding or drainage at this point and it doesn't seem painful. He ate and left to bury a nut. (He takes his nut burying job very seriously)! I don't know how he hurt his tail. I know if I call my Vet, they'll want to se him immediately. I'm wondering if it's safe to watch him and see if it heals? I had a squirrel that had the same thing happen as a baby the Vet thought they would have to amputate, but the bone just fell off on it's own a he was fine. Anyone's thoughts on the matter would be great! :thankyou

[Kristin Ward]

(I tried to post this before so hopefully it won't show up twice) My squirrel, Willie, is tame but insists on living in a tree (uses Bounty paper towels as nest material). He showed up last night w/ dry blood on his tail. I got a better look this AM and he lost about 1.5 inches of tail. The bone is exposed. There is no fresh bleeding or drainage and doesn't seem to hurt him. I don't know what caused the trauma. He ate breakfast and then started his day job of burying nuts. I know if I call my Vet he'll want to see him immediately (if I can find him, he usually comes when I call him). Do you think it's safe to watch him for a day? I had another squirrel years ago that had the same thing happen as a baby. The vet thought the tail would need amputation, but the bone ended up drying and falling off without a problem. Any advise would be great!:thankyou

[stepnstone]

My squirrel, Willie, who's my tame baby but insists on living outdoors in a tree (with Bounty paper towels as nest material) showed up last night w/ dry blood on his tail. I got a closer look this AM and about 1.5 inches of tail missing and the bone is exposed. There's no fresh bleeding or drainage at this point and it doesn't seem painful. He ate and left to bury a nut. (He takes his nut burying job very seriously)! I don't know how he hurt his tail. I know if I call my Vet, they'll want to se him immediately. I'm wondering if it's safe to watch him and see if it heals? I had a squirrel that had the same thing happen as a baby the Vet thought they would have to amputate, but the bone just fell off on it's own a he was fine. Anyone's thoughts on the matter would be great! :thankyou

This type injury happens a lot, the exposed bone will dry up and break off. He may even remove it himself. I would just keep a close eye on him for any signs of infection but he will likely be fine.

[stepnstone]

It did show twice so I'll post my opinion twice: :D
This type injury happens a lot, the exposed bone will dry up and break off. He may even remove it himself. I would just keep a close eye on him for any signs of infection but he will likely be fine.

[Jackie in Tampa]

but the bone ended up drying and falling off without a problem. Any advise would be great!:thankyou
and that's most likely going to be the way it ends up again..
as sad as this is, it happens often.
Now he has MORE chartacter!:sanp3 :)

[Kristin Ward]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll give him extra kisses for his boo-boo today. Hope to see you at the gathering!:thankyou

[Kristin Ward]

Thanks guys. Sorry about the double post. I'm still back in the dark ages when it comes to technology.

[bobby taylor]

Unfortunately this is pretty common. I accidently stepped on one of my little fellows tail years ago and he lost the last inch or two but it healed up and the hair grew back. it will adventually dry up and fall off. I put neosporin ointment on it for several days to stop any possible infection. It hurt me a lot more than it hurt him.

[Kristin Ward]

Thanks for the encouragement Bobby!:thankyou

[treeman]

I JUST had this happen to me! look here with pics:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32773

I'm sorry about the tail. It looks like it is a horrific injury, but it's 'normal' for squirrels to be able to loose some tail. Spicey's tail looks great now and no one would ever know.

But you may want assess your predator situation since your baby lives in the tree. Something got his tail! :eek:

[Kristin Ward]

thanks guys. I'm watching him close. He must have a sore mouth too because he let out periodic wimpers while eating a nut this AM. I couldn't see any obvious problems. I may make him sleep inside tonight so I can monitor himm more closely. Hopefully he won't read this and hideout on me!