Tip of tail exposed ????

[missnikki]

So yesterday I was checking out Ruby after cleaning the cage and I find that the very tip of her tail has no skin on it, and is exposed - not sure what the tail is made of, I'm guessing cartilage? But it looks like the skin has come off ... I looked at Duchess's tail and hers looks fine ... what is this??? Should I be worried ???

 

[lilspaz68]

Sounds like a teeny degloving, she must've caught her tail somewhere and the skin peeled off. Just keep an eye on it, for any swelling, red streaks etc.

Can you take a pic?

 

[missnikki]

Will post a pic in a bit, I gotta go get breakfast.

 

[DadRat]

Almost all of our rats have had the very tip, maybe 2-3 mm at most, of their tails exposed by the end of their lives. I think the tiniest little injury must do it. And we have fleece liners in a double CN, so there is no exposed wire or whatnot.

 

[missnikki]

Ok here is a pic of Rubys tail

 

[PitLuvs]

Two of my boys had that happen, Londo and Lenir. I kept them clean and give a little Advil until they stopped showing signs of pain. They are fine now. Scary huh? The worst one, Londo, looked just like that.

 

[missnikki]

Yeah it looks really creepy - Ruby isn't showing signs of pain so that is a good thing.

 

[jorats]

Some of my rats are like that but most aren't. I noticed the older ones seem to have it more. It doesn't seem to cause them any discomfort. Weird is all.

 

[PitLuvs]

I find that odd, why are my rats always different? lol Londo really took it hard, hiding and heaving with pain, wincing and grinding his teeth when I found him. Total body inspection turned up a partially degloved tail. After a dose of Advil he was better but it took him a full three days to get back to normal. You would never know now lol Lenir wasn't really effected but Londo's was worst. Silly boys.

 

[missnikki]

So I've heard from some ppl that the skin will grow back, and one person said no it won't - any other opinions??

 

[DadRat]

All of ours who had tails like the above picture stayed that way, just the very tip exposed.

 

[Dazzle87]

Sometimes the bone falls off and then it heals.

Everything I've read and experienced says deglovings are painful-I suppose the reaction of visible pain would depend on when they are found.

 

[jorats]

I think in this particular instance, it's not degloving. It's a natural occurrence. It's the very tip. I'll see if one of mine has it and take a pic.

 

[jennifervb]

I find that odd, why are my rats always different? lol Londo really took it hard, hiding and heaving with pain, wincing and grinding his teeth when I found him. Total body inspection turned up a partially degloved tail. After a dose of Advil he was better but it took him a full three days to get back to normal. You would never know now lol Lenir wasn't really effected but Londo's was worst. Silly boys.

It sounds to me like your rats could be putting on a bit of an extra show to garner some more attention from mom. My ex-husband used to do that (sore throat but you'd think he was on his death bed. :giggle

Face it PitLuvs.... there is a war being waged for mom's attention that you may not even be aware of. That's what happens when your fur faces love you. :cheeky:

 

[jorats]

This is a normal old man's tip. The bone at the tip is exposed. I've had several rats like that.

 

[Rattus]

Every old man Ive had has had that, I didnt realise it was the bone! :shock: Their tails get pretty nasty as they age sometimes lol