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Thread: Scratch/Redness on Tail

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  1. #1
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    Default Scratch/Redness on Tail

    Hi All,

    My 16 month old Southern flying squirrel, Stitch, has a cut/scratch on the underside of his tail that's concerning me a little bit. I believe he got it sometime this afternoon, but I could be mistaken. It could be from him scratching himself, but it seems to be in an odd place. He wasn't crazy about me touching it for the pictures, so I think it's hurting him.

    He's otherwise acting normally, lots of running around and playing. He doesn't share his cage with any other animals, and he's the only animal in the house. He's eating normally and drinking water. Does anyone have any tips on treatment, or how he got it in the first place? I'll include pictures in case anyone wants to take a look

    Thank you!!!

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    Any chance there is something he could have caught his tail in/on? Maybe a bit of neosporin? I will try to direct some flyer peeps here to have a look!
    Squirrels, squirrels and more squirrels....
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    I wasn't sure if neosporin was safe for him. I looked all around his cage, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I'm feeling around for something sharp, or something with a clump of fur on it, but no luck yet

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    Does he have a nestbox? Feel carefully around the inside as they can create a rough area with their chewing. Hold off on the neosporin until we get a flyer person here.
    Squirrels, squirrels and more squirrels....
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  5. #5
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    No, he currently doesn't have a nestbox. He has lots of fleece pouches that he sleeps in. He had a piece of a walnut shell that I just took out, maybe that's what did it? I don't see anything unusual on it

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    I wouldn't use the neosporin. Warm water and Dawn dishwashing liquid is safest even if he licks it afterward. This looks like he scraped or rubbed it somewhere, and it made a scratch which is now being irritated more with every time he rubs it on something. It does seem like it's scabbing over, though, which is a good sign.

    Keep it as clean and clear as possible....watch for small white spots (pyoderma) or swelling (abcessing). Either can be treated and is not a big deal if caught early.
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    Scraped it on something. Looks pretty minor.
    Just watch and make sure it doesn't get worse.

    IR beat me to it.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    Here's additional photos I took after the 15 minute edit window closed

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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Scratch/Redness on Tail

    You have to keep a close eye on him so he doesn't get overly focused on chewing that. Squirrels are really tricky about self-mutilation and you don't want that to start.
    Squirrels, squirrels and more squirrels....
    Prayers for the people who make this a better world...
    savesquirrels@sbcglobal.net



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