Chinchilla biting tail stump

[Buttonboon]

My rescue chinchilla Wilson won't stop chewing his tail stump and I'm running out of ideas what to do. I've had him several months now and he came with his tail amputated as he got in a fight with another chinny which severely damaged his tail. It had all healed nicely but the last few weeks he's has been chewing it. I have got some hibiscrub and cream from the vet and been keeping it clean. I have also been putting a tiny sock like bandage on it but he's now realised he can chew this off and start chewing his tail again. Today he has chewed it so bad I just don't know what to do anymore. Everytime it starts to heal he chews it and were back to square one. He has plenty to do and is out several hours each night. The last 3 days he'd not touched it but then today he's made a right mess of it again

Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I'm all out of ideas.

Thanks

 

[mercynursie]

Hate to say it but sounds like he needs the embarassing lamp shade e-collar/cone. Make sure it extends far out enough from his head/tip of his nose that he cannot turn and reach his stump. He may need help with eating and drinking for the time it is on, most likely until it is healed completely.

 

[Buttonboon]

I had considered this but was concerned about the eating/drinking. Would i be able to get one from a vet that deals with chinchillas. I would make one myself but I'm really not sure how? I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this but I don't think I have much choice because he simply won't leave it alone.

 

[mercynursie]

I was able to get a collar that fits my little boy from the chin-vet,it has snaps and the neck cutout has a little padding around it too so no sharp edges. My guy can still eat large pieces of hay off of the ground and get to his pellet/treat bowl because it stands far enough out from cage wall, same with his water bottle. I stlill supplement with critical care feedings as he is trying to heal from very large wounds and infection.

 

[Dreamlite]

When was the last time he was at the vet? If the tail tip hurts or tinkles due to the nerve damage it can cause them to chew on it. I would rule out pain just to be safe.

 

[Buttonboon]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your ideas and suggestions. He's been to the vet today and they had a collar small enough for him so that was a bonus. I've got to keep doing what I was doing with the cleaning and cream and hopefully with his collar it will give it time to heal fully. Funnily enough the last two days he hasn't really bothered with it. Very strange. Hopefully this will solve the issue.

 

[Gina91787]

I've had my baby chinchilla for about 6 months now he is 8 months old and recently started biting on his tail it looks like he tried to bite it off ive taken him to the vet but i wasted my time and money on a vet that had little to no experience with dealing with chinchillas. ( my mistake) i panicked and took him to the nearest vet' im trying to make or buy a cone the tail seems like its ready to fall off wwhat can i do? I know everyone is going to say take him to the vet. One who sees exotic pets. I am limited to population around me and theres is only one vet in town i just need some advice to prevent infection what can i do at home for him?