Another "worried parents" tail question

[sean8172]

Our boy, Demani, has had on and off tail problems for quite some time. He's lost the very tip twice now, and it's looking pretty black again. I've contacted the two reptile vets in my area, and am hoping to get him in soon, but I would like input in the meantime, please.

Aside from the tip falling off, the discoloration has always worried me more. I thought it was a couple stuck sheds causing it, but now I'm completely unsure. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, I honestly dont see anything wrong with the tail. It appear the tip has had an injury at sometime in the animals life but appears to be ok now.

 

[sean8172]

I know this is a pretty old thread, but I thought comparing might garner input. As you can see, Demani's tail has gotten pretty dark again. While the "damage" hasn't spread, it just looks SO bad. I took him to my family vet earlier this week. He's not a reptile vet, but I trust him implicitly. I also trust one of his techs with either of my beardies. Oddly, he used the term necrotic when diagnosing. This confused me, mainly because in humans, necrosis indicates that tissue is dead. No blood, no feeling, no...nothing. Dem ani obviously has feeling, and one spot on his tail has bled.

The vet confirmed what I've learned from this community; that the worst case is his tail will wither and fall off, but to ensure the "black" doesn't move up his tail.

Any additional input would be beyond appreciated.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Wow! Never would have guessed this would be the case.

Hi, yes the skin/scales do look like they are necrotic. The strange thing is that the flesh underneath is still pink. Which make me believe this is some sort of deep skin infection whether bacterial or fungus. Judging by how it is progressing, i would have the vet amputate at a safe spot before the infection. I doubt this will just stop on its own and restrict itself to the tail area only if left alone.

 

[sean8172]

By no means am I questioning your judgement, because I trust your opinIon...a lot. That being said, while whatever this is definitely goes through cycles of worsening, then improving, it hasn't really spread in over a year. This started around December of 2012. I may have mentioned this somewhere else, but it may be more pertinent now. Demani's tail was bitten almost exactly where the darkest part starts (just below where I drew h the black line with a Sharpie). Because of your opinion, I will most likely be taking him back to the vet, but do you think the bite could have caused this issue?

Thank you again for your feedback.

 

[gilliesexotics]

No worries, questioning an opinion imo shows interest/care. The bite trauma maybe the underlying cause of the issue. It getting better and then looking worst. If it were something like tail rot it would have progressed much worst by now. You may want to see if the vet can send off some samples for tests to see if it is bacteria or a fungus.

 

[sean8172]

Thank you again Gillie (if I may call you that). I'll ask the vet about sending off tissue samples.

 

[sean8172]

I'm far from a "pro", but Demani shed some of his tail today. I'm back to thinking this is just a really bad stuck shed. Opinions?

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, the scales dont look right. Could be the picture but it doesnt look right on my end. Missing scales and it seems some are in way, eroding.

 

[sean8172]

His scales definitely look, as you said, "eroded". He's had bare spots in other areas after a shed. It's already starting to look more leatherback like today. I'm still unsure. I sent those pictures to my vet tech friend. I'm awaiting her reply. She's the same person that examined him at the vet. As soon as it warms here some, I'll be taking him back in I think.

 

[sean8172]

This is what his tail looks like today. The shed that came off was "spongy" and quite thick. I would say almost twice as thick as his normal shed.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, i am not saying this would cure this as i have no idea what this is and if this is fungal they worsten over time making it nearly impossible to cure topically.. Not sure what is being applied right now as i can see some sort of oil based ointment in the pictures. I would treat it as this. I would dip the area in provodone iodine (cleans good antiseptic) for 10-15 minutes. Apply some miconazole cream. Different vaginal yeast infection creams contain this. I would personally do this twice daily.

 

[sean8172]

I've been soaking his tail in warm water daily, and applying 1% silver sulfadiazine cream twice a day. I'll find some miconazole cream. There may even be some around the house. Thank you again for advice.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Good deal, hopefully you can get this cleaned up.

 

[loki2014]

I know it's been awhile since you posted but I'm not sure if you have found a solution yet or if the problem cleared up. I adopted (forcefully) a female about a year old from an aquatance and she had the tip of her tail bitten off by one of their previous beardies and it was doing the same thing and not healing.there was always an open looking sore and I took her to the vet and they amputated the dead looking part and she is 2 now and perfectly fine. I will post a pic of what her tail looks like now. Hope this helps if you haven't found a solution

 

[loki2014]

 

[loki2014]

She never has any problems with shedding either at the nub!! Hope everything is fine

 

[sean8172]

I'm thinking more and more that another vet visit, and an amputation, is in the near future. It isn't spreading, but it's not really getting better either.