Health Guide: Degloving Injury

Degloving Injury

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Definition

Minimal to extensive loss of skin involving variable amounts of deep tissue loss through defense mechanism or trauma.

Clinical Signs

Loss of tail skin and / or part of the tail due to trauma

Loss of skin and / or underlying tissue from extremities due to trauma

Etiology

Degloving is a defense mechanism in rats, or other small mammals, that causes the upper layer of skin and tissue to be sheared or torn away from the bone. While degloving can happen to any extremity it is seen to occur more frequently with the tail. This can happen when the rat is grabbed or picked up by the tail, or for example, when the tail is caught in the cage door and the rat attempts to pull away. This injury is not only quite painful to the rat, but leaves the exposed area open to infection.

In incidents of degloving, the portion of skin and underlying tissue that is lost does not grow back. If the injury is small, for example the tip or small portion of the tail, the injury will usually dry and heal on its own having the rat lose only the tip of the tail.

In those incidents where the loss of skin and or underlying tissue is extensive, amputation, plus treatment with antibiotics, and medication to relieve pain and discomfort may be required.

Figures

Case Histories of Degloving

Fig. 1: Degloving injury case history and photo
Fig. 2: Degloved Tail In Northeastern Wood Rat
Fig. 3: Degloving injury and amputation of forelimb (note: photos are graphic)

Diagnostics

If skin loss is extensive, assess for shock and treat as needed.

Treatment

Extensive Loss

If there is extensive loss of skin, bleeding may be controlled by wrapping a clean cloth around the injured area, while seeking immediate attention from a veterinarian. The veterinarian will assess the need to debride the wound and / or amputate. Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as enrofloxacin or the cephalosporins, and analgesics for pain such as Banamine or Metacam are recommended.

Minimal Loss

In the event damage is minimal; for example a small portion or tip of a tail has been degloved the following procedure may be used:
1. Control any bleeding that may be present.
2. Clean wound with normal saline (a solution that is least toxic to sensitive tissue although it is not an antiseptic solution). Saline solution can be made at home using 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 pint of warm water.
3. Pat dry the area and apply topical antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, Polysporin or Bacitracin. Another good choice is Baytril otic cream.
4. An oral systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Baytril (enrofloxacin) is recommended where infection is thought to be present, along with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic such as ibuprofen or meloxicam (Metacam) for pain and swelling.

*Note: If damage is minimal, the bare area of the tail will usually dry up and slough off, healing.

Refer to the Rat Medication Guide for information on medications.

Nursing Care

Provide hospital cage to prevent further injury to wounded area from cage mates.

Keep injured rat on clean bedding daily such as cloths or ink-free paper towels until healed. Avoid litter-type bedding during healing process to prevent the chance of wound contamination or infection.

Contact veterinarian if wound does not appear to be healing or if there are signs of generalized illness.

Outcomes

Bleeding is halted.

Pain is controlled.

Infection is treated.

Healing occurs.

Prevention

When picking up rats, use both hands in a scooping motion to support the body. Do not grasp or hold up by tail.

Monitor any and all young children playing with or holding a pet rat.

Remind guests in your home that may be unfamiliar with rats not to pick the rat up by the tail.

Ensure the safety of the rat by checking cages or wire rodent wheels for areas where they might get limbs or tail caught.

Posted on June 30, 2003, 10:30, Last updated on August 13, 2008, 14:31 | Trauma