Infection or tail rot?

[JennaDerp]

Hello. Im posting cause my lizard suddenly got a really bad cut or infection on her tail. I feel.really bad but it wasnt here 2 days ago, so its new. I cant tell what it is to be honest. She has a heating mat for her cage, but its really low temperature so i dont think it could be burns. I also took out her heating pad just cause I don’t want it burning her wound directly, which could have been the case. She has fake branches in her cage but they arent very sharp. Maybe it is tail rot? She does have a bit stuck shed on her tail. Please let me know your thoughts on treatment for the time being and what you think it may be. I’ll attach some images of her tail and her setup. She also does not seem in pain, and eats the same as before and is very hyper.
Her light is also different now, i just took this picture at night and turned the uv one on so you could see.

 

[JennaDerp]

View attachment 65146 View attachment 65145 Hello. Im posting cause my lizard suddenly got a really bad cut or infection on her tail. I feel.really bad but it wasnt here 2 days ago, so its new. I cant tell what it is to be honest. She has a heating mat for her cage, but its really low temperature so i dont think it could be burns. I also took out her heating pad just cause I don’t want it burning her wound directly, which could have been the case. She has fake branches in her cage but they arent very sharp. Maybe it is tail rot? She does have a bit stuck shed on her tail. Please let me know your thoughts on treatment for the time being and what you think it may be. I’ll attach some images of her tail and her setup. She also does not seem in pain, and eats the same as before and is very hyper.
Her light is also different now, i just took this picture at night and turned the uv one on so you could see.

 

[KarrieRee]

View attachment 65146 View attachment 65145 Hello. Im posting cause my lizard suddenly got a really bad cut or infection on her tail. I feel.really bad but it wasnt here 2 days ago, so its new. I cant tell what it is to be honest. She has a heating mat for her cage, but its really low temperature so i dont think it could be burns. I also took out her heating pad just cause I don’t want it burning her wound directly, which could have been the case. She has fake branches in her cage but they arent very sharp. Maybe it is tail rot? She does have a bit stuck shed on her tail. Please let me know your thoughts on treatment for the time being and what you think it may be. I’ll attach some images of her tail and her setup. She also does not seem in pain, and eats the same as before and is very hyper.
Her light is also different now, i just took this picture at night and turned the uv one on so you could see.

Please no more heating mat and please get rid of the red bulb--- do you know if she was sitting on the heating mat when she got the issue w/ the tail ? It looks like it possibly be the cause --- I am going to have some others look at it --- the red bulb is harmful to the eyes dragons have a 3rd eye for predators and are very sensitive to light -- they can see better than us and like it dark and cool to sleep --- are you also using digital probe thermometers to get actual basking temps? I see the UVB is on top of the screen -- what bulb is it a T 5 or a T 8 they have certain placement and distance -- are you using a bright white basking bulb for basking? @AHBD @Drache613

 

[JennaDerp]

Please no more heating mat and please get rid of the red bulb--- do you know if she was sitting on the heating mat when she got the issue w/ the tail ? It looks like it possibly be the cause --- I am going to have some others look at it --- the red bulb is harmful to the eyes dragons have a 3rd eye for predators and are very sensitive to light -- they can see better than us and like it dark and cool to sleep --- are you also using digital probe thermometers to get actual basking temps? I see the UVB is on top of the screen -- what bulb is it a T 5 or a T 8 they have certain placement and distance -- are you using a bright white basking bulb for basking? @AHBD @Drache613

The bulb is T8. Here is a up to date picture of the setup, cause i got rid of the red bulb a while ago. For the temperatures i use a digital probe. For my basking bulb i use the flukers basking spotlight bulb. Also she definitely was sitting on the heating mat, i think she cut herself on something and it got burnt. I took out the heat mat just now.

 

[KarrieRee]

The bulb is T8. Here is a up to date picture of the setup, cause i got rid of the red bulb a while ago. For the temperatures i use a digital probe. For my basking bulb i use the flukers basking spotlight bulb. Also she definitely was sitting on the heating mat, i think she cut herself on something and it got burnt. I took out the heat mat just now. View attachment 65153

Ok good! But we need to fix the T 8++ it needs to go inside the tank T 8's are not strong enough to go thru the screen- please hang it inside approx 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor+ and take the clear plastic cover off and the bulb needs to be changed out every 6 months I recommend every 5-are you using a reptisun bulb?- I flagged 2 others on the forum about the tail-

 

[JennaDerp]

Ok good! But we need to fix the T 8++ it needs to go inside the tank T 8's are not strong enough to go thru the screen- please hang it inside approx 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor+ and take the clear plastic cover off and the bulb needs to be changed out every 6 months I recommend every 5-are you using a reptisun bulb?- I flagged 2 others on the forum about the tail-

I am using Reptisun for the t8. I took the plastic screen off for the t8 as well. I just need some sort of hook to hang it, because i am afraid a ziptie will melt.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Jenna, are you sure that's not a poo stain ? Have you put her in some water to see if it comes off ? Of course be careful in case it is an actual wound not to do more harm. If it IS a wound it seems likely that the heat mat would have done it. Is there a wound on top of the tail as well ? I can see the shed sticking up but get a closer picture of that area.

 

[JennaDerp]

Hi Jenna, are you sure that's not a poo stain ? Have you put her in some water to see if it comes off ? Of course be careful in case it is an actual wound not to do more harm. If it IS a wound it seems likely that the heat mat would have done it. Is there a wound on top of the tail as well ? I can see the shed sticking up but get a closer picture of that area.

Im pretty sure its not a poo stain, i put her in warm water and lightly rubbed the area and she got squeamish so i stopped. Heres some more pictures.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If you have tried gently cleaning the tail in a bath & it didn't come off then it is likely a burn, I agree.
Do you have any raw, unpasteurized honey or antibiotic ointment like neosporin or polysporin you
could put on that area for awhile, at night to help with healing?

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If it didn't come off when you gave him a bath, then it is going to be a burn. The heating pad just got too hot. This
happens fairly often if there aren't safety thermostats built into them to control the temperature.
Do you have any raw unpasteurized honey or antibiotic ointment you could put on that area overnight to help with
healing?

Tracie

 

[JennaDerp]

Hello,

If it didn't come off when you gave him a bath, then it is going to be a burn. The heating pad just got too hot. This
happens fairly often if there aren't safety thermostats built into them to control the temperature.
Do you have any raw unpasteurized honey or antibiotic ointment you could put on that area overnight to help with
healing?

Tracie

Hi i’m sorry for the late response. I soaked her tail in liquid ointment for about 10 minutes and i’ve been doing it everyday. Should i purchase the honey.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi i’m sorry for the late response. I soaked her tail in liquid ointment for about 10 minutes and i’ve been doing it everyday. Should i purchase the honey.

I would do the honey as well -- its going to promote healing -- also make sure your UVB is placed in the tank like I posted earlier --- and the bulb is not expired - T 8's need to be changed out every 6 months I recommend every 5 --- make sure you dont feed any crickets in the tank or leave them in the tank - they will go straight for the tail

 

[KarrieRee]

I am using Reptisun for the t8. I took the plastic screen off for the t8 as well. I just need some sort of hook to hang it, because i am afraid a ziptie will melt.

Zip ties do not melt w/ the UVB you can also get some of this stuff from Home Depot it works great its like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around your fixture GE 15 ft. Cable Ties, Hook and Loop Spool, Black-10375 - The Home Depot

 

[JennaDerp]

Hey guys i’ve been doing the treatment everyday and her tail seems significantly worse. Do you think it might be something else? I feel so bad i am not sure what to do. It looks like tail necrosis.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey guys i’ve been doing the treatment everyday and her tail seems significantly worse. Do you think it might be something else? I feel so bad i am not sure what to do. It looks like tail necrosis.

Yes it does please get her into a reptile vet I am posting a website to help you find one
www.arav.org type in a zip code city closest to you if you live in a small town or area