Follow-up post. Need opinions (URGENT)

[Vyeriss]

So, last month I posted this, to show the progression of infection (supposed) after my beardie’s tail amputation.

I was only able to get back to the vet yesterday, May 20th.
The infection had of course eaten away at more of my beardie’s tail despite me continuing the antibiotics I was given, but more alarming, my vet realized that his entire tail seemed stiff and unusual. So we did x-rays. This was the result. (highest quality I could get from the vets office)

Notes say his distal tail is 90% fused, and that he has a pathologic fracture about two inches up (which is where I’ve noticed bruising.)

We have no idea what happened to his tail to cause the vertebrae to calcify and fuse like this. Has anyone ever seen this before?

I was given the option of attempting amputation again, but ultimately were leaning towards euthanasia since the wound left behind would be significant and difficult to heal/close.

Can I get some thoughts on this?

 

[Sadie]

So, last month I posted this, to show the progression of infection (supposed) after my beardie’s tail amputation.

I was only able to get back to the vet yesterday, May 20th.
The infection had of course eaten away at more of my beardie’s tail despite me continuing the antibiotics I was given, but more alarming, my vet realized that his entire tail seemed stiff and unusual. So we did x-rays. This was the result. (highest quality I could get from the vets office)

View attachment 37615

Notes say his distal tail is 90% fused, and that he has a pathologic fracture about two inches up (which is where I’ve noticed bruising.)

We have no idea what happened to his tail to cause the vertebrae to calcify and fuse like this. Has anyone ever seen this before?

I was given the option of attempting amputation again, but ultimately were leaning towards euthanasia since the wound left behind would be significant and difficult to heal/close.

Can I get some thoughts on this?

Flagging post to Tracie the vet tech on the board

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sorry your dragon is having so much trouble.
How much initially did they have to amputate the tail?
What type & brand of UVB lighting do you use currently & how often do you give calcium for him?
Has the vet mentioned that the infection has traveled through his body or is it still just in his tail?
There are several things that could cause this type of issue. Trauma to the tail allowing bacteria to build up in the area. Metabolic bone disease can cause bone trouble like fusing the bones or causing bone irregularities, too.

Tracie

 

[Vyeriss]

Hello,

Sorry your dragon is having so much trouble.
How much initially did they have to amputate the tail?
What type & brand of UVB lighting do you use currently & how often do you give calcium for him?
Has the vet mentioned that the infection has traveled through his body or is it still just in his tail?
There are several things that could cause this type of issue. Trauma to the tail allowing bacteria to build up in the area. Metabolic bone disease can cause bone trouble like fusing the bones or causing bone irregularities, too.

Tracie

Vet hasn’t mentioned/checked to see if infection is into his body, and said that it’s unlikely to be MBD since his fingers and toes seem to be perfectly fine and that’s where it usually manifests first. There’s been no trauma to his tail, I’ve had him all his life just about.

I use a Reptisun T5 H0 14 in + a 15 watt T8 - BP Desert 50 UVB bulb.

I’ll add my images of the prior amputation.

I will say that I probably haven’t had the best husbandry during his life. Only in the past weeks have I realized that his tank is too small and lackluster and not what is should be. I was young when I got him, which is no excuse of course. I feel immensely guilty and sure that I somehow did this.

I still don’t know what to do.
He’s hardly shown interest in food the last few days while he’s been back home.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thanks, the Reptisun 10% T5 tube bulb is a great bulb so he should be getting plenty of UVB exposure.
They may not have taken enough of the tail off. Does it appear it is infected perhaps? Did they give you any type of cream or ointment to put on it? At the moment, I would go ahead & start treating the tail with raw unpasteurized honey, or silver gel to help with the redness.
If he isn't eating much,you can try support feeding him with chicken or turkey baby food mixed with squash or sweet potato baby food.
Just use a plastic dropper or syringe to drip food onto his nose & he should lick the food off.
Has his beard been normal color or dark in color?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[Vyeriss]

Vet hasn’t mentioned/checked to see if infection is into his body, and said that it’s unlikely to be MBD since his fingers and toes seem to be perfectly fine and that’s where it usually manifests first. There’s been no trauma to his tail, I’ve had him all his life just about.

I use a Reptisun T5 H0 14 in + a 15 watt T8 - BP Desert 50 UVB bulb.

I’ll add my images of the prior amputation.

I will say that I probably haven’t had the best husbandry during his life. Only in the past weeks have I realized that his tank is too small and lackluster and not what is should be. I was young when I got him, which is no excuse of course. I feel immensely guilty and sure that I somehow did this.

I still don’t know what to do.
He’s hardly shown interest in food the last few days while he’s been back home.

Hello,

Thanks, the Reptisun 10% T5 tube bulb is a great bulb so he should be getting plenty of UVB exposure.
They may not have taken enough of the tail off. Does it appear it is infected perhaps? Did they give you any type of cream or ointment to put on it? At the moment, I would go ahead & start treating the tail with raw unpasteurized honey, or silver gel to help with the redness.
If he isn't eating much,you can try support feeding him with chicken or turkey baby food mixed with squash or sweet potato baby food.
Just use a plastic dropper or syringe to drip food onto his nose & he should lick the food off.
Has his beard been normal color or dark in color?

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

I don’t think they initially took off enough either. The current state of his tail is very bad, it’s dead up to the point of the pathologic fracture and the vet said he’d have to amputate all the way past the fused vertebrae.
His beard has been a bit dark by default recently.

I have to have a decision made by Friday whether I want to euthanize him or if I think we should try the second surgery.

This is what the tail looks like now. The area where the rot ends (where the break is) is still red and keeps having spots of blood.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I don't think he should be put down for just needing his tail amputated. If the infection can be remedied then he should be able to become healthy again.
How is he doing?

Tracie

 

[Vyeriss]

Hello,

I don't think he should be put down for just needing his tail amputated. If the infection can be remedied then he should be able to become healthy again.
How is he doing?

Tracie

He’s alright, no different besides a little lethargic. I took him outside for some sun yesterday and he was more alert than I expected, which was good! Overall he seems content, and doesn’t seem to realize anything’s wrong.
If i get the major amputation done, what are your recommendations for the post-op care? I want to be prepared. I was gonna empty his tank and give it a good clean, how can I baby proof it to make the chances of the wound busting open very minimal? Should I get any kind of ointment or topical treatment for the wound?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am glad to hear he seems to be doing alright. As long as the infection gets treated & is taken care of, I don't see any reason why he can't recover.
At least the sunshine perked him up, that's great!
You can place some fleece blankets in & around the tank to keep it softer for him while he is recovering.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[Vyeriss]

Hello,

I am glad to hear he seems to be doing alright. As long as the infection gets treated & is taken care of, I don't see any reason why he can't recover.
At least the sunshine perked him up, that's great!
You can place some fleece blankets in & around the tank to keep it softer for him while he is recovering.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

He’s doing good, he’s been active the last few days and has finally eaten some of the roaches I went and bought.
I’m going to spend the next few days looking into post op care and hopefully get him in for surgery sometime next week.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That's great to hear he has been active & is starting to
eat as well. Let us know how things are going & if you decide to get him in for surgery. We are all pulling for him.

Tracie

 

[Josh]

Hope things improve! There's a lot of great info here. Thanks Tracie!