Health Guide: Degloving Injury

Degloving Injury

Definition

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

Clinical Signs

The loss of tail skin and / or part of tail itself due to trauma.

Etiology

Degloving is a defense mechanism in rats, or other small mammals, that causes the upper layer of skin and tissue on the tail to be sheared or torn away from the bone. It can occur 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 of the tail open to infection.

In incidents of degloving, the portion of skin that is lost does not grow back. If the injury is small, and involves a portion of the tip only, it 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 is extensive amputation of that portion of the tail, plus treatment with antibiotics, may be required.

Photo examples provided in the following figures:

Fig. 1: Degloving injury case history and photo
Fig. 2: Degloved Tail In Northeastern Wood Rat

Diagnostics

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

Treatment

Extensive Loss

If there is extensive loss of skin, control bleeding by wrapping a clean cloth around the tail, 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 pain medications such as Buprenorphine or Butorphanol are recommended.

Minimal Loss

In injury, where damage is minimal, and only a small portion of the 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. *

See Rat Medication Guide for information on drugs and dosages listed.

Nursing Care

Provide hospital cage to prevent further injury to tail 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.

Change towels daily.

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

Outcomes

Any 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 are unfamiliar with rats, not to pick the rat up by the tail.

Posted on June 30, 2003, 10:30, Last updated on April 17, 2008, 21:31 | Wounds