Lost Some Tail

[Rray]

When I first got my Netsuke, my nephew found her in his yard. She was bruised black and blue and swollen. (Guessing she fell out of her nest.) She may have been not more than a few hours. He brought her to me because I have previous experience raising injured rodents, both wild and domestic. With help from this forum, she's now several months old and doing great. Until today. My son sees to her playtime and she's got free roam of his bedroom as well as a very large birdcage to call home for now. Today, he stepped on the end of her tail. Her tail isn't broke. But the skin is. Like a rubber glove that lost the fingertip, the end of her tail is bald, and the furred layer of skin has slipped off. I get that it's a defensive move. I learned that weird lizard-like quality from them when I got a chipmunk running loose in my pants long ago. I'd like to know what happens next? Should she remain caged until she's healed up? No run-around time for a while? Will that outer layer of skin grow back? Will the fur? Can I still release her in the spring or is she now damaged beyond rehab? Is there something I can give her to help her heal?

[CritterMom]

Degloving injury - very common. If the skin is gone from the tail tip, the bone will dry and fall off and the tail will be shorter by that amount. How much was damaged?

My favorite treatment for things like this is a diluted solution of Betadyne 10% povidone iodine and water. The betadyne is available in the wound care aisle of any drug store. Dilute at about 25 drops per 1/4 cup water - you can dampen a cotton ball to wipe it down or even easier, put some in a little sprayer and spritz the area. If you warm the liquid to body temp they barely feel it. It does not sting in any way and is an excellent antiseptic to keep the wound clean and healthy so it heals quickly. In addition, it doesn't prompt them to fuss with the area the way something sticky like a cream or ointment does. It dries like water.

Unless the entire tail is gone it won't affect her release. I have many wild stub tailed squirrels around my house.

[Rray]

Thanks! That's just what I was hoping. She only lost about a half inch.

[RockyPops]

Thanks for helping your baby Rray!

She doing good on diet? Formula etc.?

How old is she? And most importantly, do you have any pics or video...?:grin2