I am a new mom to two female gliders. When I bought them from a pet store I believe the owner possibly broke one of their tails. I have taked them to a vet who said the tail will just fall off where it is broke...looking for someone who has been thru this and can offer some advise :)

Um. I think that it will fall off where it broke because the glider will chew it off. I think you should consult another vet.

Does she pay any attention to it? It is possible that the tissue has died and will fall off. If she's messing with it at all, it's causing her discomfort and I'd probably talk to another vet as well.

Leaving an injury of this sort to just "fall off" is terrible advice from a vet who obviously has very little experience with sugar gliders and their propensity for self mutilation.

If the tail is becoming necrotic, then it needs to be amputated above the site of the necrosis. Necrosis CAN continue to grow up the tail OR infect the bones and result in the death of your glider.

If the tail is not necrotic, then the break can heal and the tail might just have a little bend in it.

Regardless, the glider should have pain medications (wouldn't you want pain meds if YOU had a broken bone?) and antibiotics to combat any infection.

If an infection is allowed to go unchecked or the glider remains in pain, then the glider could self-mutilate to the point of death. Rehabilitating a glider who has self mutilated is a heart wrenching and difficult job. It is best to manage pain to avoid the prospect of self-mutilation.

You need to get this glider to a vet with more experience.

You are welcome to call me any time. 806-274-9177. I have lots of experience with tail amputation.

One of my rescue's tail was broken in two places when we brought her home. The vet gave us antibiotics and scheduled a partial amputation the next day. Letting it "fall off" is really awful advice...it will lead to infection and self-mutilation.

Is this a recent break? Is the glider in pain or messing with it? If it is a old break and it is not bothering them and it leaves it alone I would just keep an eye on it and find another vet to examine and make sure your glider is ok. One of my new gliders is almost 2 years old and there is a place on his tail where you can feel where it was broken. His tail did not fall off but this was also an injury that is obviously from a long time ago.. And he checks out just fine. But definately find another vet even if just for a second opinion on this because I personally have never heard of a vet who would say such a thing about any animal. I would want a second opinion especially on something that is this serious..

I have had a tail amputated. It will dry up and the joint will get infected and the animal will SM and it is very hard to stop that behavior once it starts. Many folks have been through that nightmare. You truly do not want to wait for it to fall off. Very bad advice. Your vet is not an exotics vet I can see. I would notify the pet store and ask them to pay the associated vet bills for this.

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Originally posted by Something_To_Believe_In

Leaving an injury of this sort to just "fall off" is terrible advice from a vet who obviously has very little experience with sugar gliders and their propensity for self mutilation.

If the tail is becoming necrotic, then it needs to be amputated above the site of the necrosis. Necrosis CAN continue to grow up the tail OR infect the bones and result in the death of your glider.

If the tail is not necrotic, then the break can heal and the tail might just have a little bend in it.

Regardless, the glider should have pain medications (wouldn't you want pain meds if YOU had a broken bone?) and antibiotics to combat any infection.

If an infection is allowed to go unchecked or the glider remains in pain, then the glider could self-mutilate to the point of death. Rehabilitating a glider who has self mutilated is a heart wrenching and difficult job. It is best to manage pain to avoid the prospect of self-mutilation.

You need to get this glider to a vet with more experience.

You are welcome to call me any time. 806-274-9177. I have lots of experience with tail amputation.

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ditto.