Ruby's tail

[missnikki]

Soooo Ruby's tail is looking like it has some very small sores on it near the bottom end of her tail. Any idea what this might be and what kinda meds she will need or any natural ways to help her heal? Would putting polysporin on it be bad??

Thanks !

 

[eagle]

Can you get a picture of the tail and post it here? It will help in determining what is needed.

 

[lilspaz68]

Can you get a picture of the tail and post it here? It will help in determining what is needed.

That will totally help.

Also tell us if the bumps are raised, smell funny, if they seem painful?

 

[missnikki]

Well they are not really bumps at all, more like scabs. I am trying to get a picture but no luck yet.

 

[lilspaz68]

Well they are not really bumps at all, more like scabs. I am trying to get a picture but no luck yet.

Is she an older girl? Are these black and on the underside of her tail?

 

[missnikki]

She is approx. 1 year and 2 months old and they aren't quite black but very dark yes and also yes they are the underside of her tail!

 

[lilspaz68]

Does she drag her tail rather than lift it up when she moves? Does she have a nice clean tail or a dirty one? Some rats are clean but stop grooming before doing the tail.

 

[missnikki]

and about 2 months ago her black fur started getting brown patterns thru-out.

Here's a tail pic (she already has gorgeous natural markings on her tail so there isn't as many of these dark marks as it might appear in this photo)

You can kinda see the color change in her fur in these ones

And her tail has always been nice and clean.

 

[missnikki]

and she does not appear to be dragging her tail around.

 

[lilspaz68]

She looks a lot older than 14 months to me.

I would advise cleaning her tail and see if that helps at all.

 

[eagle]

Looks like she is rusting, it happens as they age sometimes.

 

[missnikki]

Well when I got her she was given up by an owner who didnt know how old she was, only could guess approx 4 months old, and when I posted pics of her on the shack when she was approx 6 months old some ppl said she looked younger ... so I dont know but my best approximation is a year and a couple months ... could possibly be a year and 6 months but that's maximum I think. She is spry as ever, has bundles of energy and stuff.

Does fur change color with age sometimes?

 

[missnikki]

Just washed her tail .. a couple very small scab looking things came off when I did this .. she didnt appear to be in any pain but I didnt want to hurt her at all just in case so I didn't spend too much time on it.

 

[jorats]

You could keep soaking the tail everyday, eventually, it will come clean.