Lots of Dead skin on Tail?

[Devlyn]

My oldest boy Jasper Has lately had a LOT of dead dry looking skin on his tail.
Like it comes right off but it's most of his tail.
I'm not sure if this is normal, his tail looks really gross with all the dead skin but he doesn't care for me messing with it.
He's not a squeeler and usually just takes things in stride even shots but I can tell it bothers him when I pick at it.
Underneath is just pink healthy looking skin.

I've been putting lotion on his tail every few days but I'm not sure about what else I could do.
Any advice?
Should I try and get it all off?

 

[Joanne]

Would you be able to take a picture? It would help us a lot in understanding the extent of the situation.

 

[Devlyn]

Sure, he's having floor time right now I'll go catch him and see if h'll sit still for the webcam. xD

 

[lilspaz68]

Sounds more like a nasty dirty tail that is crusty but I'll wait for the pics before I tell you how to clean it

 

[Devlyn]

This is the best I could get
http://oi50.tinypic.com/2ntxl5t.jpg

I know it's not very good but if you look close you can see how the scales are sticking up a bit and you can see the pink patches where I've removed dead skin.

 

[amanda1472]

Im glad you asked this, i was about to ask something similar. My Boy Bambi's tail has brown splotches and its starting to look gross. =) iv heard a soft toothbrush is good to clean the tail? (sorry for hijacking you thread )

 

[Devlyn]

I've tried cleaning his tail with baby wipes so I know it's not dirt just skin it's really strange I've googled and googled and found nothing like what he has.

No worries Amanda maybe someone can help you too.

 

[lilspaz68]

Im glad you asked this, i was about to ask something similar. My Boy Bambi's tail has brown splotches and its starting to look gross. =) iv heard a soft toothbrush is good to clean the tail? (sorry for hijacking you thread )

Devlyn - his tail looks fine...I wouldn't pull off any scales, as it hurts. Only when its really dirty and caked on and lifting up the scales should you worry.

Amanda - its best to soak the tail (if its really dirty) with warm water, then using dish soap, put some on your fingers and rub gently in sideways and towards the tip motion, all the way to the end. Then take your soft toothbrush and brush the tail in gentle but short strokes towards the tip...rinse the tail and it should be much better

 

[amanda1472]

Thank you. I will try that tonight. and good luck with your ratty Devlyn. =D

 

[Devlyn]

Well I wouldn't really say I've "pulled" them off it's really hard to show in a picture with my crappy webcam but all I have to do is rub his tail and they fall off. :?
So I should just leave it alone and let whatever is going on happen?
Let them shed on their own? He doesn't have tail rot or anything like I was worried he did? :lol:

 

[lilspaz68]

Well I wouldn't really say I've "pulled" them off it's really hard to show in a picture with my crappy webcam but all I have to do is rub his tail and they fall off. :?
So I should just leave it alone and let whatever is going on happen?
Let them shed on their own? He doesn't have tail rot or anything like I was worried he did? :lol:

It looks relatively clean (from the pic) it doesn't feel nasty and gross does it? SKin even tail scales will shed on their own naturally and no he doesn't have tail rot LOL

 

[Devlyn]

Nope doesn't feel gross, I guess he's just going through a shedding phase then huh?
Thanks for calming my nerves.I was genuinely worried about him have tail rot or something.

 

[odduckOasis]

I know this is a little out of date or over, but I just wanted to add my two cents. xD; My oldest boy has a funky tail more so than the other two, but it's normal otherwise. Sometimes the scales lift and fall off, but not often. I've worried too, but he's just got a patchy tail.

However, if you do really worry, my brother worked at a pet store (which did not sell feeder rats, only pet ones) and told me that if they do have tail rot, you can feed them oatmeal and it'll clear it right up. Any time I worry about his tail looking extra 'funky' I just stick a bunch of oatmeal in with their regular fresh food and it seems to look better in a few days. Just a thought. =)

Otherwise, I agree, looks fine to me. Just might be one that has a bit more of a uneven tail. Oh and yes, never clean in an upwards motion, as you want to make sure if there is any debris, that it isn't forced under the scales, as that will hurt more (and could cause infection).