Last week I noticed that Monti's tail was black about an inch from the tip, under the fur. I immediately rushed him the the vet thinking it was broken and dead. The vet looked and felt for injury, didn't find any wounds or feel a break, and determined Monti still had good movement and blood flow. He said it was only bruised and gave me antibiotics and anti inflammatory. I'm supposed to take him back in a2 weeks if it isn't better. Over the last week it has not gotten better, but not worse either. It also does not seem to bother him at all. On closer inspection my mom and I thought it looked like most of the dark color is actually in the roots of the fur in that spot and the skin is only light grey, not black. Now I'm wondering if this might be a skin pigment thing or melanoma. It should be noted that the black part is difficult to see except in bright light, so I may have only seen it because Monti got up during the day to look at some new furniture I was putting in his cage. I guess it's possible I didn't notice the dark color until just then, although I find it hard to believe that I missed seeing it for four years. Last night on a whim I looked at my other sugar glider's tail and noticed that her tail tip looked very similar to Monti's, dark at the tip under the fur. She doesn't seem bothered or injured and her tail doesn't look dead so I haven't taken her to the vet yet. The thing is I know Kira's tail tip used to be pink because she pulled all the fur off it when I first got her. So what is going on? Are both my gliders suffering from the same injury or illness, or am I freaking out about normal coloration? Further info: Monti and Kira live as neighbors but their cages are not close enough to fight through the bars. Monti is 4 years old, Kira is 71/2 but she didn't live with me until she was 4. They each have different brands of glider safe wheels and different cage styles, so there isn't really a common denominator between them that could cause the same injury. They eat the wombaroo diet with appropriate fruit/vegetable mixes. Both seem energetic as usual and have a good appetite. I'll post photos below, both tails look nice and fluffy in actuality, I'm just parting the fur in the photos.
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Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421136 08/28/1902:48 PM08/28/1902:48 PM
I think they look ok, I would trust your vet. If you take the one back have him peek at the others tail.
Kimberley Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: Feather]
#1421162 08/31/1902:39 AM08/31/1902:39 AM
The vet said that the next step if the spot didn't fade was to do x-rays and shave the tail to get a better look. This would involve sedation. Is that something that should be done despite the risks, or is this more of a wait and see situation? This vet wasn't my usual vet who has seen Monti before. Should I take him back for his follow-up next week or should I wait an extra week until my normal vet is back from vacation?
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421163 08/31/1902:43 AM08/31/1902:43 AM
The vet said that the next step if the spot didn't fade was to do x-rays and shave the tail to get a better look. This would involve sedation. Is that something that should be done despite the risks, or is this more of a wait and see situation? This vet wasn't my usual vet who has seen Monti before. Should I take him back for his follow-up next week or should I wait an extra week until my normal vet is back from vacation?
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421164 08/31/1902:46 AM08/31/1902:46 AM
Yes I do now, think I'm having technology issues. I will see how he is a day before his follow-up next week and if he still seems fine then I will postpone it a few days and see the regular vet. Unfortunately I will have to make a separate appointment for Kira to be seen, so I will try to get one on the same day/time. I'm starting to think I may just be freaking out about their natural coloration that I somehow never noticed before, but I will definitely follow up with the vet 😊
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421183 09/02/1911:26 AM09/02/1911:26 AM
I would most definitely wait to see your regular vet and do not let either of them shave the tail.
They can do e-rays without shaving the tail and if it come to a tail amputation do not let them shave the tail. They will most likely go after it if it is shaved.
I have had several tail amputations done, I am a rescue for gliders. All the gliders that have gone after their tails after surgery have had their tails shaved.
Those that haven't had their tails shaved will just groom the vet smell off and leave it alone.
Kimberley Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: Feather]
#1421195 09/03/1903:38 AM09/03/1903:38 AM
I will not let them shave his tail. I'm glad you are giving me that advice because I felt like it was a bad idea but I wasn't sure I know enough to make that call. I am at this point pretty convinced that it isn't an injury at all and might just be skin coloration. The spot has not spread or changed in any way and he has not messed with it or seemed bothered at all. He doesn't even get annoyed when I examine at his tail tip. I imagine if it was a bruise he would be uncomfortable with that. Should I be worried about melanoma or something else instead?
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421222 09/06/1909:35 PM09/06/1909:35 PM
Just keep an eye on it. I will look at one of my gliders tails this weekend to see what the skin looks like in the dark end of the tail.
Kimberley Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the
Re: Potential tail tip problem, not sure if injury or pigmentation?
[Re: amarie]
#1421223 09/06/1911:06 PM09/06/1911:06 PM