Losing tip of tail

[jazzibells82]

Last week I had my beardies (3) out and when I put them back I noticed that Coop had what looked like a scratch on the tip of his tail, almost like he had pulled off some of his scales. I'm not sure what actually happened, since then the tip of his tail has shriveled up and turned black. He seems to be fine otherwise still eating and pooping like he always has...is there anything other than keeping it clean that I can do? or anything that I need to watch out for? The nearest reptile vet is a 3 hour drive, there is a vet here that will see reptiles but it's more of a hobby than a specialty.

 

[Beardednoob]

First off if they are starting to get nips, which this seems like then they should be separated. The other dragons may be mistaking limbs of their siblings as food. This is common and the tail should heal up okay. Just keep it clean, make sure the enclosure is clean too. I would rub a very small amount of Neosporin on it as well until it heals. This will help not only the healing process but, also help to fight off infections. Which are your main concern.
But, get them separated please.

 

[jazzibells82]

Sorry I wasn't specific enough, they don't live together. All three have their own 55 gallon custom made enclosures. They were just out wandering the living room at the same time. I've been putting pain relief neo sporin and a topical antibacterical spray. And trust me they won't be out together again. I have a female beardie who seems to be a little cranky right now, I think she's wanting to brumate and I'm not letting her (she's only almost 5 months old) I'm thinking she may have snapped at him.

 

[Beardednoob]

Sorry I wasn't specific enough, they don't live together. All three have their own 55 gallon custom made enclosures. They were just out wandering the living room at the same time. I've been putting pain relief neo sporin and a topical antibacterical spray. And trust me they won't be out together again. I have a female beardie who seems to be a little cranky right now, I think she's wanting to brumate and I'm not letting her (she's only almost 5 months old) I'm thinking she may have snapped at him.

Don't use the pain relief Neosporin. Just the regular one. The pain relief has medications in it a reptile should receive.

 

[jazzibells82]

Ok I will switch that over. Will the tip eventually fall off? I saw on an other thread where someone clipped off the dead tip but I am afraid he would still be able to feel it...I'm a little sqeamish.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Please don't clip off the dead tip of the tail, you could cause more damage if not done properly. This should be left to a vet, if neccessary. The tip will eventually fall off on it's own. As beardednoob mentioned, just keep the the affected area clean. You can use some betadine(diluting with water until it resembles that of weak tea)to soak your beardie's tail in. Pat dry and apply the neosporin. Just keep an eye on the area, if it gets worse or the black necrotic part starts to move up the tail, then you will need to take him into a vet. The best thing right now is to keep the tail clean and apply the antibiotic. If you have any loose particle substrate in his viv, remove and put down papertoweling.
Keep us updated on how your beardie is doing.

 

[jazzibells82]

Thanks, I didn't plan on clipping it I just wanted to know what would eventually happen with it. He's doing fine today, up charging around and eating. He's on tile so no substrate there I will definitely watch for any darkening of his tail, it seems to be contained and I hope it stays that way!

 

[jazzibells82]

here's a couple pictures of the tip, he's always had a couple of strips that were a little darker than the rest of him but today they are looking a little darker than normal (maybe just because it's night)... If it looks any different tomorrow morning I'm taking him to the local vet who sees reptiles.

 

[Beardednoob]

Oh he is handsome

 

[jazzibells82]

thank you he is a little sweetheart!! Loves to just roam around and at night he falls asleep hiding in my hair.

 

[mistybugs]

My beardie is about 9 months old and her tail looks kind of like yours but not as bad. Her tail has looked like that since I have had her and she has never had any problems with it. It was never open but it sheds the same and verything like that it is just a little bent, darker, and a little smaller than the rest of her tail. I do not know if this is any encouragement but I just thought it might make you feel a little better. Also when I got her BM sampled for parasites and had a general check done on her when I first got her even the vet said that there was nothing to worry about just as long as she does not act like it is hurting.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Aw! He is cute!
You mentioned he has had some dark strips previously on his tail. It may have been a retained shed. This will cut off the circulation and cause the area to die. Maybe this is what has happened. In any case, do keep up with the betadine soaks and neosporin.
And yes, if it does look worse than when you started treating and does not seem to be healing, then a vet visit would be a good idea. If infection were to creep up his tail he could lose more than just the tip.
Please keep us updated as to how he is doing.

 

[jazzibells82]

the discoloring on his tail is about the same so I am posting pics of it hoping someone can tell me something about it. I can't get him into a vet until tuesday.

the white cream on the tail is the remnants of the neosporin.

 

[jazzibells82]

anyone?

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

It's hard to tell what may have caused this. I don't see any retained shed above the blackened part of the tail.
Just keep treating it 2-3 times a day with the betadine soaks and neosporin as you have been doing until you can get him to the vet on tuesday. The vet will probably just snip off the dead portion of the tail and give you meds or have you continue with the neosporin.
Let us know how it goes at the vet.