Tail Injury, lost fur

[ChinchillaSlippers]

Tail does not appear to have damage to the bones of any kind.
My 4 year old somehow got a hold of his tail, and now there is a large patch of fur completely missing. It looks like if a human were to fall and scrape a knee. There's no dripping blood or blood anywhere around the cage, but skin is definitely looking sore and raw. Seems more of an external injury that does not require a vet, but surely there is something I can/should do for faster healing and comfort? I will continue watching the tail to be sure it is moving ok.
I didn't know if something like Neosporin was safe for a chin. And if I wrapped it after applying to prevent them from licking the Neosporin, wouldn't they just chew off the bandage?
The dust bath is not in the cage right now, figured dust on a skin abrasion wouldn't be good. They mostly spend their time at the top of cage under their house during the day. Injured chin rarely goes to bottom of cage.


My chins are not used to being handled, avoiding doing so until I have to so I don't stress him out more. Whatever went down this morning obviously stressed him enough.

 

[Stackie]

I would leave it alone unless it starts to show signs of infection. The fur missing is normal; it is a defense mechanism called fur slipping. It takes awhile for tail fur to grow back. If the tail doesn't look better in a few days, you can apply something called blue kote. It is basically gentian violet and can be found at some feed/farm stores. I don't recommend neosporin as they can lick it off. And you're right, more than likely your chin would chew off a bandage. The blu-kote dries quickly, but stains for a long time.

 

[aznmexaggie]

It just sounds like slipped tail fur. I've even done it myself accidently when grooming my chins without a firm grip. As long as there is no blood or abraded skin, I would just leave it alone and the hair will eventually grow back. If there is actually a scrape where bacteria could get in, I would just apply Blu-Kote to it.

 

[seachin]

Agree with the above. From my experience, tail fur takes over a year to regrow completely.

 

[ChinchillaSlippers]

Really, fur slip on the tail?
I never knew they could.
Well glad to know it was mostly "slipped" rather than mostly "pulled" off. Poor chin.
I've used the Blu Kote with horses before, pretty sure.

Thanks, I feel much more at ease now!
This incident has put urgency towards finding the chinnies a better suited home.