Kink in tail. MBD or not?

[itspebbles]

My 4-month old baby beardie has a very small kink about 2/3 down his tail. I've noticed it's present in older pictures that I have of him, and although it's not a huge concern, I'm just curious what may have caused it.

Bit of info about his setup/diet:
He has an Arcadia 10% UVB tube, and a big stick he can climb on so he's no more than two inches away. The tube is about 10-12 inches, and is about the same height from the floor. It was last changed late September. He has a prorep 80W basking spot bulb on a thermostat that turns off when it reaches 120°f, turning on again at 115°f. He has a basking spot under this and it is guarded by a cage so he can't touch it. He has access to a bowl of dechlorinated water that gets switched daily, although I don't believe this would impact him.

His diet consists of small locusts and crickets, young dubias, and occasionally a halved super worm or two and sometimes a few waxworms. His feeders are always dusted with calcium. He eats collard greens and dandelion greens as a staple, with rocket, red/yellow pepper and squash as a treat. I switch out vitamin and calcium supplements intermittently. He eats a LOT.

I recieved him as a rehouse from a cousin of a close friend but the set up and care was very similar to mine so I don't believe there would have been any problems with a lack of calcium or UVB. Since they only had him for a little over a month they don't recall any kinks as they never handled him (he's very energetic!).

Here's a picture:

It's not affecting his energy. He's still fast, squirmy and this isn't causing him discomfort in any way.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello --- the kink in the tail the end looks dead -- I would keep an eye on it and watch for infection- you dont want it moving up the tail - take pics of it so you can follow it and see if its getting worse -- the UVB is a 10% so I am thinking its a T 8?-- if so it should be 6-8 inches from basking decor w/ NO obstruction meaning NO clear plastic cover over the bulb and NO screen it needs to be inside the tank also T 8's need to be changed every 6 months -- basking temps should be NO hotter than 110- and taken w/ a digital probe thermometer
Karrie

 

[itspebbles]

Hello --- the kink in the tail the end looks dead -- I would keep an eye on it and watch for infection- you dont want it moving up the tail - take pics of it so you can follow it and see if its getting worse -- the UVB is a 10% so I am thinking its a T 8?-- if so it should be 6-8 inches from basking decor w/ NO obstruction meaning NO clear plastic cover over the bulb and NO screen it needs to be inside the tank also T 8's need to be changed every 6 months -- basking temps should be NO hotter than 110- and taken w/ a digital probe thermometer
Karrie

That's a different part of the tail that I already know about, that's from a nipped injury from a baby. It looks worse in the picture- a vet has already looked at it and says it's ok, no spreading so far and it hasn't changed since we got him. As for the tube bulb, it's inside the tank, I'll move it no problem, I can get some different decor under it too, and I'll adjust his basking temps. The actual kink in his tail is further up and is a little less obvious.

 

[KarrieRee]

ok so I guess I didnt see the one your talking about -- how long has he had this one your mentioning now?
Karrie

 

[itspebbles]

ok so I guess I didnt see the one your talking about -- how long has he had this one your mentioning now?
Karrie

Since I got him. He was just under ten weeks when he first came here.

 

[KarrieRee]

Let's have ahbd take a look
Karrie

 

[AHBD]

I see what you mean, it's a very small ripple , no discoloration or anything. That won't affect him, it could be genetic or just a very tiny + harmless deviation from the perfectly straight growth pattern. Sometimes it might be a slight calcium deficiency but there's no real proof and I've never seen a dragon with a slightly rippled tail that had any problems at all.

 

[itspebbles]

I see what you mean, it's a very small ripple , no discoloration or anything. That won't affect him, it could be genetic or just a very tiny + harmless deviation from the perfectly straight growth pattern. Sometimes it might be a slight calcium deficiency but there's no real proof and I've never seen a dragon with a slightly rippled tail that had any problems at all.

Whew, that's a relief. Thankyou! I'll bring it up at his next vet visit if there's been any significant change, too. No harm in that. I'll continue with his calcium schedule aswell, no harm in an extra sprinkle or two, he'll have no problem with it. His appetite is huge and he will eat anything green.