PLEASE HELP IS THIS TAIL ROT (SICK BEARDIE)

[AHBD]

I would stop the Baytril he doesn't have a tail infection at all and Baytril does not work on parasites if he has them. He will not need amputation because he doesn't have tail rot. I've been around beardies since the early 90's + raised a ton of them from the egg. His tail is O.K., give yourself a break from that worry !

Be careful with his tank near a window, it will heat up too much, and the uvb can't go through glass so it's no benefit. Is it warm where you live ?

 

[Ahechme]

Sorry I answered so late. He's on my shoulder now. And you think I should take hin. Away from the window. And okay no more betryl. How about the metronidazole benzoate 70 mg. It's.05 ml a day for 14 days. It says.

And the vet said they were gunna amputate it today. He would have done that for no reason. Shaking my head. These vets. What do you suppose to try. Extra feeding a day? He won't take any worms or anything. And its not warm. I live in PA but he is in a heated room.

 

[Ahechme]

Here are two more images of him after him sitting alone for few hours. And here is another close up of his tail. You see that right there at the tip? An inch up? It's like it's bent. You sure 100% that's not tail rot. And please let me know asap about that medicine he's due to take it again tomorrow around 5pm. Also, Should I feed him. More then 3 times a day

 

[Ahechme]

Here's some more pics of his scales

 

[AHBD]

Wow, I'm glad you came here because yes, he would have had it amputated for nothing. Another name for the med. he's on is Flagyl, , I don't know why he's on it except the vet suspects that he has parasites, which he might, but again there's no diagnosis . And different parasites require different meds. so the vet played a guessing game. If you want, just give it to him for a week altogether, but 2 weeks is too long , those meds. are hard on their system. Or just stop it now.

You can feed him more times a day if he'll take it. But he does not need tail amputation !!

 

[Ahechme]

I wouldn't want to eat on antibitotics either! I'll try without. I'll give the new stuff for a few days if it doesn't work then I'll stop it too. I really hope he gets better I'll update you or ask anything I am. Confused about!

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree with AHBD. The tail is fine and certainly doesn’t need amputation. I don’t like that meds were prescribed without a diagnosis via blood work or cultures. The meds are harsh on their systems and in this case may be doing more harm than good. I would stop them for a bit and try the non dairy yogurt and offer plenty of water via drips on his nose. If the black beard continues I would seek help from another vet. One who has experience treating reptiles would probably be more helpful.

 

[Ahechme]

I agree with AHBD. The tail is fine and certainly doesn’t need amputation. I don’t like that meds were prescribed without a diagnosis via blood work or cultures. The meds are harsh on their systems and in this case may be doing more harm than good. I would stop them for a bit and try the non dairy yogurt and offer plenty of water via drips on his nose. If the black beard continues I would seek help from another vet. One who has experience treating reptiles would probably be more helpful.

Hey yeah. I agree. Although it doesn't seem any Vets are good at reptiles unless it's a reptile specialist. I force fed him 4 meal worms today by opening his mouth and giving him a few. He didn't spit out which is good. I will not be giving the medication. But the black beard is still there. Not 100% it is just a patch. And get gradual as he gets stressed out. It turns fully yellow again if he sits on my shoulder for like 20-25 mins but that's not gunna save him. Because he needs the lamps! And I don't fit in the tank sooooo..... Ugh. #verystressed

 

[Ahechme]

While I am here discussing health problems I have a second beardie this guy grew SO FAST and eats SO MUCH and is quite the little quirk. But I noticed yellow on his beard and thought it was Odd. Here are some pics. Doesn't look like yellow fungus but at the same time he is a normal bearded dragon. Not a fancy. So he should be anything besides grey and black and white and brown right? He acts 100% healthy. And loves his veggies and crickets and worms. He loves anything that he can eat basically. He soaks him self and he's very independent. And also friendly. I had gotten this guy as a friend for my Fancy (rex the one who I started this post about who is currently sick and not eating) but they didn't get along so I separated them and got two tanks. $$$$$. But I wanna make sure this isn't a yellow fungus disease. Any body can tell from the pics?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ahechme]

 

[Ahechme]

Also may I note. My sick beardie rex hasn't pee/pooped in a whole day now. Not sure if it's a stomach problem with him all I know is that he is in discomfort from something and no one can figure it out.

 

[CooperDragon]

Don’t worry about the pooping with rex. Its ok if its several days between poops especially with his system out of whack. I wouldn’t push worms on him. Instead if he isnt eating on his own try some baby food. Ive had good luck with squash, green beans, and sweet potato. Just drip some on his nose to lick up. Don’t be too forceful with it but make it easily available to him.

The yellow color on the beard is just natural color. They are often yellow or orange like that. Totally normal and looks nice and healthy.

 

[Ahechme]

Thanks I thought I had another case on my hands. I'll tell you guys. These dragons make me NOT want to buy a Chinese water dragon. There 10x more work then the pet store says they are and they don't even warn you of any health issues it's just sell sell sell sell. But whatever. Okay now when you say baby food could you give me a exact description or link. I am awful with finding things. And I tried boosting the temperature to 100 and they both didn't like it I felt. They have grown accustomed to the 90° temp. I guess. Idk. Rex is driving me nuts. I just gave him some probiotics that are powder from. Gluten and dairy free by Ultimate flora. Mixed with blended up kale,, red and green peppers, and carrots mixed with some Carnivore Care powder. I think I should start blending some worms and crickets instead (slaps head)

 

[CooperDragon]

Baby food like this from the grocery store

 

[EllenD]

His tail is perfectly fine and is not part of the problem at all, it's dark because #1) some beardies have dark tail ends, and #2) their tails get even darker when they black beard...he should never be put on Baytril without having a culture done to diagnose a bacterial infection, nor on metronidazole, which IS ANOTHER ANTIBIOTIC, IT'S FLAGYL, for yet another reason that is undiagnosed, plus Panacur? So 2 harsh antibiotics (Flagyl is a terribly strong antibiotic and can cause great sickness in them, it DOES NOT KICK-START THEIR APPETITE AT ALL, IT DOES JUST THE OPPOSITE) and then a dewormer...

What led you to take him to the vet in the first place? That's the question that needs answered. His problem right now is that he was given 3 days of Panacur (he does not have worms anymore, if he ever did), 2 weeks of Baytril, which is dangerous, and the Flagyl on top of it, and all 3 of these medications were given to him based on not 1 diagnostic test, not a fecal or a culture.

He is extremely sick from all the meds, and extremely stressed from all the meds and the vet visits. Your UVB light is inadequate and absolutely does need replaced to a 10.0 T5 tube, either a Reptisun or an Arcadia, but he's not eating because of all the meds and the stress of it all. I don't know why you took him to the vet originally, but if I were you I would stop ALL meds he is taking now, keep feeding him the Oxbow and offering him water several times daily dripped on his nose, and let him recover and destress. And do not ever take him back to that vet ever again, they don't know what they're doing, it was extremely dangerous to give a dragon 3 days of Panacur then 2 weeks of Baytril along with Flagyl on top of it, he could have died just from the meds.

I assure you though, his issues have absolutely nothing to do with his tail, it's perfectly fine and looks nothing like "Tail Rot". Tail Rot is an infection that spreads up the tail, killing all the tissue along it's way, and the tail has open, necrotic tissue that literally shrivels and falls off before it spreads any further, it's not just darkening of the tail. I promise, forget about his tail and concentrate on trying to find a reputable, experienced reptile vet with bearded dragon experience for the future. Please, get him off all meds, and under an adequate UVB tube, check his temperature gradient to ensure it's correct, and keep offering fresh salad and live, gut loaded bugs every day in addition to giving him the Oxbow and keeping him hydrated.