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Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? #47695
05/30/05 11:42 AM
05/30/05 11:42 AM

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Lil' One has been fine, until last night when I noticed that she has been chewing her tail! She won't let me get near her so I can take a closer look (that's not a new behavior). She's chewed the fur off of part of it down to the skin. It doesn't look like she was bleeding from it, but what in the heck can I do for her? I'm gonna flush her out tonight and get a good look at her. In the meantime, I'll do some cage cleaning and furniture rearranging.

Anyone else see this?

Jennifer

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47696
05/30/05 11:50 AM
05/30/05 11:50 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356
Austin, TX
USMom Offline
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USMom  Offline
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Austin, TX
Yes there have been others that have had this, and you need to get her to the vet!


Shawna
Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47697
05/30/05 12:09 PM
05/30/05 12:09 PM

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<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
Yes, sadly its not that uncommon. Can you tell us what diet you are feeding? Does she have a wheel and toys to keep her busy? How big is her cage? Is she a lone glider? If so you may want to consider getting her a friend too. Usually, but not allways tail chewing is stress releated. You will need to have a vet check with fecal float and smear, along with a UA to rule out infection and parasites. If she starts chewing worse you will need to put an e-collar on her. My experience has been that if its the end of the tail that they can still reach it even when in a collar. So I will wrap the tail in pet gauze also. It takes some practice since you can't put it on too tight to cut off the circulation, and you can't put it on too loose of they will take it right off. Please keep us updated on her condition. My prayers are with you and your girl.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Angie

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47698
05/31/05 09:07 AM
05/31/05 09:07 AM

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Lil' One eats a variety of fruits and veggies (melon, grapes, carrot, brocoli, mango, papaya) every night along with BML. She gets nuts and crickets as treats, but she hasn't had a cricket in a while. She has a HUGE cage and a wheel (the non-tail chatching kind) but I don't think I've ever seen her use it. toys, ledges, and lots of gliding room - she has all that. She is a solo glider, has been for a couple years now. I've been debating on the companion issue ever since Sweetie (my original glider) passed away. Do I really have time and patience to care for two? What if I get a second and it doesn't work out with Lil' One, can I care for them separately? Or should I just find her a better home? I've realized that getting another one is not the wisest choice for me, so I've started looking for new homes. It's a devastating decision, but it's just better for her. Oh man, I'm crying.

I'll call around today for an exotic vet - I have one in mind. Getting her out and to the vet will be interesting if not down right dangerous. I hope she won't need an e-collar.

I will keep you posted!
Jennifer

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47699
05/31/05 10:06 AM
05/31/05 10:06 AM

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Jennifer,

I hope you can work something out for her. I'm sure you will find and get all the help you need her on GC as far as getting her a responsible, knowledgeable, and caring family. We will have to work together and make a few posts to see what we can do. I already PM'd you and said I can take her as far south as Orlando Florida next month. She could stay with me and I could work with her until then or she could very possibly stay with me. But its definate, I am going to help you out as much as I can and I'm sure everyone on GC will do the same to the best of their ability.

Getting her to the vet is the best thing you can do right now until we figure something out.

Best wishes and good luck and Talk to you soon!

Luis

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47700
06/01/05 06:19 PM
06/01/05 06:19 PM

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Update:

She is actually missing most of her tail now. It just... fell off last night. That's sounds unbelievable when I say it. She is going to the vet tomorrow (whether she wants to or not!).

Jennifer

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47701
06/01/05 06:28 PM
06/01/05 06:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
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Long Island, NY
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Have you gotten and ecollor on her yet??? She really needs to have one on. Any way to get her to a vet tonight. Any vet right now will do for now. You risk infection by waiting until tomorrow, she must be in pain!!! Good luck and keep us posted


Eddie

In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!

"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47702
06/01/05 06:43 PM
06/01/05 06:43 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
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Jennifer, chewing like this is usually an indication of an infection or injury, even if you can't see or test for it. The glider really, really needs to be in an ecollar to prevent further damage, and the vet will need to run urine and fecal tests. Good idea to shotgun treat with antibiotics even if the tests come up clean (which when the problem comes up in an extremity-fingers, toes, feet, tail-is frequently the case). Pain meds are also advisable to reduce her stress and discomfort, if nothing else. Please keep us updated on the little one, and I would stress-PLEASE get a collar on her at least until the vet can have a look at her <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> The more damage she does, the less likely a good outcome, to put it mildly, and the lower the chances of survival.


Jen/Colin :bb: Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed :wfb: Sinbad, :wfb: Gabby, :grey: Baby, and :grey: Alley
Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47703
06/01/05 07:04 PM
06/01/05 07:04 PM

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I just hope that she doesn't chew her tail during the night and open up a wound and cause it to bleed. If it bleeds and she bites deep enough she can cause herself to bleed to death. I hope she makes it, and keep me updated. After you take her to the vet let me know the outcome and if things look good, I'll plan a trip to visit with the two of you.

Hoping for the best,

Luis

Re: Tail chewing? Anyone else see this? [Re: ] #47704
06/01/05 07:40 PM
06/01/05 07:40 PM

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Little One is going to the vet tonight, at 8:30 EST. This should be interesting, she's never been, and getting out of her cage and there will be an adventure.

I'll post later when I get back with her.

Jennifer

Back from the Vet [Re: ] #47705
06/01/05 10:39 PM
06/01/05 10:39 PM

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It's 10:15 pm and we just got back from the emergency vet. Little One did surprisingly well. I was able to hold her while she was still in her pouch and poke her tail out. There was no bleeding but there was a piece of dead bone sticking out. He clipped the bone off so the skin will grow over it and she will have a stump. The clipping took a couple of seconds and she didn't crab or even flinch. He sealed with wound with silver nitrate sticks to stop the bleeding and close it up some. Again, she was a trooper.

I let her slink back into her pouch when it was all done and I peeked in at her. I brought along pieces of brazil nut for a bribe if need be, and I gave her piece which she readily accepted and ate. Then she came out, and climbed all over me. This sounds stupid, but it was almost magical. This was the reason I got her and the reason I loved her so much.

She's on antibiotics for the next 10 days, and the Doc said that it should start to heal and looke much improved in about 5 days. If not, take her back in (or if anything else goes wrong).

I honestly don't know if this is self-mutilation or not. It's not like she chewed it off all at once and it was a fresh wound. Something happened to her tail and caused it to atrophy and become necrotic. I don't know if she injured it or what.

I feel a little better now. Someone has seen it and treated it, I'm not wondering as much as before. I think she will be OK now. I will follow it closely over the next week and let you know what happens.

I'm so glad you guys are here

Jennifer

Re: Back from the Vet [Re: ] #47706
06/01/05 10:51 PM
06/01/05 10:51 PM

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Jennifer,

Wow! That sounds great! Give yourself a hug and a kiss, you did the right thing! Even though you might not see it, she loves you for it, and to be honest, well we all do. It makes people so happy to see when someone really cares about the little critters in their life and would do anything to help them. Way to go!

Its like she knew what you had done for her. Like I told you before, she has the potential to make someone very happy and for someone to make her very happy. She has a good 10 years or more left to go and I hope the family that takes her in can give her the oppurtunity to enjoy it to the fullest.

Again, Way to go mom!

Luis

Re: Back from the Vet [Re: ] #47707
06/01/05 11:35 PM
06/01/05 11:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,514
Long Island, NY
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I am happy you took her to the vet tonight and she is feeling better!!!!


Eddie

In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!

"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Re: Back from the Vet [Re: ] #47708
06/02/05 06:08 AM
06/02/05 06:08 AM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 9,173
Edwardsville, Kansas 66113
Judie Offline
Serious Glideritis
Judie  Offline
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Posts: 9,173
Edwardsville, Kansas 66113
Monitor the tail area well. Sometimes a pain med needs to be given to prevent further chewing.

Taking care of two gliders is not much more work than caring for one glider. My suggestion is to purchase a friend for her to combat the lone glider syndrom. Best companion for her would be a young neutered male. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Re: Back from the Vet [Re: ] #47709
06/09/05 04:22 AM
06/09/05 04:22 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
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Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
Any update on this little one's condition? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" />


Jen/Colin :bb: Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed :wfb: Sinbad, :wfb: Gabby, :grey: Baby, and :grey: Alley

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