In Reply to: To all humans who know about s.g. tail injuries... posted by Anne on June 02, 2000 at 12:46:03:

I have had a couple of experiences with tail problems.One glider got her tail caught in a wheel. That was amputated. She recovered well with the worst thing being how completely ugly a sugar glider is with a shaved butt!
My older glider however must have had something happen to her tail. We are unsure what as no pain was noticed no blood or anything. But one day we noticed her tail seemed a little raw, half teh black tip was gone and white strands of cartilage could be seen. We took her to the vet who asked if she was chewing it and we thought not. The vet told us to keep an eye on her and to apply a cream to stop her chewing it. Well when we applied the cream both her and her cage mate instantly licked it off. So we sat and watched. There was no swelling and the tail slowly closed healed and now she lacks a black tip but is healthy. That was over a year ago- no side affects.
Is the tail swollen and is the bare part growing? You may want to take photos against a ruler to show yourself what is happening. If you have another vet I would be tempted to ask for a second opinion. You may even be able to get some telephone numbers and phone the vets to ask for advice. It may be ok to leave the tail alone but I would watch liek a hawk and if teh tail looked even slightly bad or worried me I would be back at the vet. Amputation is ok if teh glider doesnt chew but how do you know until you amputate. I have been very lucky taht none of my pets chewed on their wounds or stitches (when neutered) but I have heard horror stories. I know of one glider who is alive only as his owners kept awake next to him for one whole week to stop him chewing, But he always was a naughty boy.
So there are my ambivalent thoughts. I hope tehy helped just a little. Good luck.
: When I got my Lilou, her tail had a ring of hair missing close to the tip. The bare part looked raw, red, and strangled in the middle. I saw the vet, he said that the tip would fall off for lack of blood supply to it. The fecal exam showed nothing abnormal. The Dr. thinks self-mutilation was not involved but that the tail may have gotten pinched somewhere.
: Lilou's tip of the tail is now thin, dry and nearly completely detached from the rest of the tail.
: Anyone who's glider has gone through this or through partial amputation of the tail is welcome to give me their opinion on this.
: How do I make sure that the remaining part or the tail is fine? I am worried that if necrosis is involved, it might spread to the rest of my little Lilou. I know the vet should be able to tell but I have read of instances where a tail had to be amputated twice because the 1st vet didn't know better.
: Boubon said several people at Glider Gossip have had experience with tail injuries... I am now calling for your help.
: Thank you.

Follow Ups:

• Re: To all humans who know about s.g. tail injuries... Anne 18:02:13 06/02/2000 (2)
  • Re: To all humans who know about s.g. tail injuries... Jane 20:23:23 06/02/2000 (1)
    • Thank you Jane Anne 11:41:50 06/03/2000 (0)