Beardie with unknown skin issue

[jamiegates]

My 2.5 year old beardie has a rather nasty skin issue that started 5 days ago and appears to be getting worse. We aren't sure if the cause. I've been treating with Antimicrobial Reptile care liberally since then but to no effect. He is still eating and drinking normally, but am rather concerned by the look of this. We don't have an vet anywhere near us that handles reptiles. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[KarrieRee]

My 2.5 year old beardie has a rather nasty skin issue that started 5 days ago and appears to be getting worse. We aren't sure if the cause. I've been treating with Antimicrobial Reptile care liberally since then but to no effect. He is still eating and drinking normally, but am rather concerned by the look of this. We don't have an vet anywhere near us that handles reptiles. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

@AHBD

 

[Claudiusx]

The tail needs to be amputated slightly above the necrotic tissue and where that obvious change in girth is. If left untreated, the necrotic flesh will continue to infect the rest of the tail, eventually being systemic and killing the dragon.

There is nothing you can do to reverse this or stop it at home.

How did the injury happen?

-Brandon

 

[AHBD]

That's tail rot, it's the type that creeps under the scales and destroys the tissue. That's why you are seeing red, infected tissue through the light colored scales. EDIT, I see that Brandon has answered and yes, amputation is needed.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That looks pretty painful. Absolutely will need some medical
attention & amputation is the only way it will improve.
Can you get him to a vet as soon as possible?
For now until you can get him to the vet, try using some raw
unpasteurized honey on it.
I'm glad he is eating right now but it will end up making him
very ill.
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[hdochow]

i can't tell where you are from your profile. here is a link to help you find a vet. for us, it is a 2 hour drive each way to get to a vet, but it is well worth it.

 

[jamiegates]

The tail needs to be amputated slightly above the necrotic tissue and where that obvious change in girth is. If left untreated, the necrotic flesh will continue to infect the rest of the tail, eventually being systemic and killing the dragon.

There is nothing you can do to reverse this or stop it at home.

How did the injury happen?

-Brandon

 

[jamiegates]

Thanks everyone. Closest reptile vet is two hours away, but we talked to our regular vet just now and she is going to amputate the tail (although not incredibly experienced in reptile surgery, she is a very experienced vet, so I think this is our best bet to save him). My wife is taking him over now, so finger's crossed.

 

[Claudiusx]

How did the amputation go?

-Brandon

 

[jamiegates]

How did the amputation go?

-Brandon

She took off the obvious dead flesh but not her area of expertise, so was hesitant to take off too much. Did provide us with oral antibiotics in liquid form with a dropper. We're treating the stub with an iodine solution and Neosporin. We're hopeful that between removing at least the worst of the infected tail and the antibiotics, he'll make it through. He has been eating like a pig today so he's obviously still feeling well.

We appreciate the quick advice from yourself and everyone else. Getting on this quickly could make a huge difference.

 

[AHBD]

It's good that you got him in so quick, hope everything turns out O.K ! Wish I had seen the posts before it happened to send you this video that your vet could have used. It shows how they cut it a little way above where the trauma ends, they have to be sure to not leave any infected part. Can you post a pic of the tail ?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, that was fast but so good your regular vet was
willing to do the amputation. It sounds like he should
be able to fight off any infection. Keep up with the oral antibiotics right now, along with the daily treating
of the betadine & neosporin to help keep infection at
bay.
I'm really glad you were able to get this taken care of,
even though he lost a decent portion of his tail. When
you get a chance, post some pictures for us.
It's a great sign he is eating though!

Tracie

 

[jamiegates]

So our normal vet was able to take off the worst of it but isn't comfortable taking off more. I think she's afraid she'd do more harm than good as doesn't have proper equipment or experience. She doesn't like reptiles in the first place, but was a good sport in trying what she could for us. We also looked into taking him to an actual reptile vet, but the nearest one is two hours away and are behind on surgeries, so it would probably be next week before we could get him in.

Here's a pic. Obviously still something going on with the end of the tail, but that area hasn't really been changing since all this started. We're hopeful that with medication and cleaning he'll make it through this, but are aware it could keep progressing. He continues to eat and act normally, so we'll see what happens.

 

[AHBD]

I think the vet missed a good prtion of the infected area that hasn't completely shown through like the red part was. You can see where the demarcation of scales changes, under the scales up to that point the tissue is likely still dying. When you get an appt. with the new vet send them the video that I posted here. It's important to get all of the infected tissue that is under the scales. I know it's frustrating because the beardie is acting normally but most beardies do act that way , as if it's not bothering them.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, it looks like a little more needs to come off,
unfortunately. I hate to see him lose more of his tail.
You don't know how this initially happened?
They are masters of hiding illness so the infection
that is still present will likely continue in that tissue.
I am glad that he seems to be doing well right now.

Let us know how things are going.
Tracie