Scratch/Redness on Tail

[meemee5290]

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!!!

[SammysMom]

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!

[meemee5290]

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

[SammysMom]

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.

[meemee5290]

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

[SammysMom]

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.

[meemee5290]

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

[island rehabber]

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.

[Skul]

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

IR beat me to it.

[SammysMom]

Thanks guy!!!

[Rhapsody]

I agree with the others..... keep an eye on him so he does not chew on it (mutilate his tail) and keep the wound
clean with some dawn dish soap and some good old Betadine should help heal it real quick and fast.

[meemee5290]

Good morning everyone! Sorry about the delay, I lost my internet connection last night. Go time warner :P

Anyway, thank you all very much for your advice. I'll get right on cleaning his cut. He didn't go after it at all last night, and its scabbed over.

Just a final question, how often should I be cleaning the cleaning the cut?

[pappy1264]

Does he have a wheel? If so, what kind? Certain wheels have been known to cause tail injuries. I agree, looks like a scrape, just keep an eye on it, should heal fine.

[meemee5290]

Does he have a wheel? If so, what kind? Certain wheels have been known to cause tail injuries. I agree, looks like a scrape, just keep an eye on it, should heal fine.

He does. Has a Wodent Wheel, I believe its the 8" one.

[Skul]

Good morning everyone! Sorry about the delay, I lost my internet connection last night. Go time warner :P

Anyway, thank you all very much for your advice. I'll get right on cleaning his cut. He didn't go after it at all last night, and its scabbed over.

Just a final question, how often should I be cleaning the cleaning the cut?

Clean at least once a day. If you see him potty, that would be a good time if you can catch afterwards.