Thinning Of Tail

[dextersmom]

I have a few adorable 8 month olds that I have over-winterized. They are all nice and chubby and just precious. Today I noticed one of the boys tail has thinned out. When he climbed down his tree I noticed the thin bone in the back of his tail. I did see a few tail hairs cleaning out the cage one week ago,and I just poo pooed it. Its the entire tail that is thinning out. What could be the cause of this. His Diet is perfect. Still drinks milk as well....

[cava]

No other missing fur? Do you think he could have gotten his tail smacked around by some other squirrels?

[dextersmom]

No other hair loss. He could have played to rough,Im not sure. I will keep an eye on him.thanks

[SammysMom]

I get a few every winter. They have rat tails.... They get to the release cage and their tails start getting perfect. I swear it's sunlight!!!

[dextersmom]

It makes perfect sense,it very well be lack of direct sun..

[island rehabber]

UVB light definitely plays a part in this, but so does moulting. Owena usually has an enormous floofy tail and does not get direct sunlight every day. One winter for whatever reason her tail got skinny, but within two months it was right back to its floofy self again. I'm thinking sometimes they just have a bad moult.