Black Area Mid-Tail. Is it ok?

[Meowser]

Hi there.
Houdini has been shedding a lot,
so at first it was just him changing colors for shedding.
But this black/grey spot is in the middle of his tail
and has been getting darker.
His sheds are usually uniform, so it seems strange to me.
Do you think there is something wrong?

 

[PumpkinJelly]

Hi, Meowser!

Is it possible it is a retained shed? It could be beginning to cut off circulation. By any chance do you know if it is pieces of shed that have yet to peel? If the dark patches are unshedded skin, i would get him in the bath asap and try to get it off. Let his tail soak, then dry out. If it's loose enough, it may rub off easily.

Keep us updated.

- PumpkinJelly.

 

[diamc]

That actually doesn't look normal. As suggested, give some warm soaks, once it has soaked for a while, use a soft bristled toothbrush to see if it starts lifting. How long has it been discolored like that?

 

[Meowser]

Hi, Meowser!

Is it possible it is a retained shed? It could be beginning to cut off circulation. By any chance do you know if it is pieces of shed that have yet to peel? If the dark patches are unshedded skin, i would get him in the bath asap and try to get it off. Let his tail soak, then dry out. If it's loose enough, it may rub off easily.

Keep us updated.

- PumpkinJelly.

I cant say that I was super observant when he shed.
I will try to soak him for 15 minutes and scrub his tail.

 

[PumpkinJelly]

A very soft-bristled toothbrush works great for retained sheds. Just let him soak for a few minutes and then lightly brush with the direction of his scales to see if you can loosen the skin. I've also heard success with using a paper towel and rubbing it with the direction of their scales while in the bath. Just be gentle and patient. Retained sheds can be stubborn and require some time!

-PumpkinJelly.

 

[Meowser]

A very soft-bristled toothbrush works great for retained sheds. Just let him soak for a few minutes and then lightly brush with the direction of his scales to see if you can loosen the skin. I've also heard success with using a paper towel and rubbing it with the direction of their scales while in the bath. Just be gentle and patient. Retained sheds can be stubborn and require some time!

-PumpkinJelly.

I had him in a soak for a little over 15 minutes
and bushed with our "bath time brush"
and it hasn't seem to change.
I thought it got a little lighter
but my boyfriend said it didn't look like it.
I have him under the light now to dry
to see if it will help him shed it.
It doesn't seem to hurt him at all.

 

[PumpkinJelly]

Hmm its a very odd thing. It seems like a retained shed to me, though.

Usually unshed skin will come off when its soaked and then dries out.

Its good that its not causing him any pain, and hopefully it will be resolved soon

Keep us updated!

-PumpkinJelly.

 

[Meowser]

Well, I am feeling better about the spots on Houdini.
I came across a website where someone was having the same issue.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Reptiles-704/2009/10/Bearded-dragon-tail.htm
that is the link.
The response was:

"Based on the picture, I am pretty confident that it is just a shed. Tail rot has to be caused from constriction due to a bad shed previously, or a bite from crickets or a cage mate or an injury. Anything that causes infection, will lead to tail rot if not properly treated.
It doesn't "appear" to be infected. The shedding on the tail sometimes looks splotchy like that, & it will tend to turn dark, as well.
I would soak him daily, to try & soften up the skin a little bit. It is always a good idea, however, to keep a close eye on their tails when they do shed as that is where a good deal of tail problems start. Keep me posted on his tail, daily, so, if there is a problem, we can get it taken care of quickly to avoid any amputation. You can also use aloe vera gel, or a little bit of olive oil to coat the scales to help with moisturizing the area."

SO I am soaking him a few times everyday.
Brushing his tail (which he actually sits still for)
and I am going to get aloe vera tomorrow.

 

[pyffersnpaws]

put some olive oil on it... just rub it in... make sure your are soaking him in warm water... might take a few days to get it off.. but it does need to be dealt with... if it doesn't come off soon... I'd take to vet and have it checked out....last thing you want is for it to actually be infected.

 

[Kalyn876]

A lot of people on the site use pure cocoa butter, I have used this method and it worked great on a 4 month retained tail shed.

Kalyn

 

[diamc]

A lot of people on the site use pure cocoa butter, I have used this method and it worked great on a 4 month retained tail shed.

Kalyn

I totally agree, the 100% cocoa butter stick works unbelievable well and I had tried everything else.

 

[chemgrl08]

Hey there, I'm interested in this thread because I am adopting a beardie soon from the exotics and wildlife rescue center down here in Miami, and one of the beardies had a similar black tail. (Does NOT look like the necrotic tail rot; I'd give you a pic but we haven't officially taken him home yet.) I was concerned at first, but the vet told me the darker area (which is at the end of this beardie's tail) is discoloration from an old injury, and that everything is fully healed and fine. Sooo... I guess I am not sure who to believe- you guys saying that its retained shed, or the wildlife vet. Does anyone else have this trademark on their beardie? I mean, is it discolored, but doing fine? The beardie has been at the center since November and they said they haven't seen any negative effects from it. They think he fractured his tail and it healed funny. (Can you believe some mean ole kids were going to throw him in the river?! :evil: :shock: Poor guy, he's been through the ringer!) Thanks for any more info people can offer; so far the consensus seems to be retained shed. I'll make it a point to ask next time I see the vet.