Shedding or Tail Rot ?

[BowzaXD]

It's come to my attention that my bearded dragon (Bowza) has a black/brown tip to his tail. He's roughly coming up to 12 months old and in a 90x45x45 tanks. His basking area is 100-110f and his cool side is about 80f, with his hide being on the cool side. He eats about 3 Mario worms and about 9-11 crickets per day, along with his vitamins and his calcium (he's tricky because he still won't eat his vegetable- and I do offer these everyday). For substrate he has slate tiles. He's never had a knock to his tail or got it trapped. When I got him he didn't have any marks on his tail what so ever. I've felt his tail for bumps and kinks and I can't find any, plus he seems to have full control of his tail. Another thing is that he's beginning to shed again, So Im confused :?
-Here is a video of him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A_AMEf_SNk

 

[diamc]

I looked at the video and noticed that he has full use of his tail. Usually when it is tail rot, it is "stick-like" and just stays out straight. I believe it to be a retained shed instead. Would suggest frequent baths, using either aloe vera gel or a 100% cocoa butter stick. Keep after it and use one of those products at least twice a day but if using the aloe vera gel, make sure you don't apply it when he will be laying directly under the basking bulb or it could cause the skin on his tail to burn. Let us know how you make out.

 

[BowzaXD]

I looked at the video and noticed that he has full use of his tail. Usually when it is tail rot, it is "stick-like" and just stays out straight. I believe it to be a retained shed instead. Would suggest frequent baths, using either aloe vera gel or a 100% cocoa butter stick. Keep after it and use one of those products at least twice a day but if using the aloe vera gel, make sure you don't apply it when he will be laying directly under the basking bulb or it could cause the skin on his tail to burn. Let us know how you make out.

Thank you so much, I've got Cocoa butter and Aloe Vera gel. He seems to enjoy his baths and such, so it's a pro to him. How long would it take approximately to shed the skin ?
By the way, this is my first Bearded Dragon, originally I had a Panther Chameleon, but sadly she passed away last year.

 

[marlimarbles]

marbles has the same only its a bit darker, i've been trying the aloe and its not been working so far.. ive been doing it for about two weeks now

 

[diamc]

It's hard to say how long it will take for that tail area to shed, depends on if it is more than one retained shed. Keep right after it and you can even use a soft toothbrush to that area during bathing, that should help too. I've actually had better luck with the Cocoa Butter stick.

 

[BowzaXD]

Ok, I've just got Bowza out of the bath and started drying him. As I was feeling his tail some flaky scales came off- not just one or two- but loads. Is this the sign that it it excess shed he struggled to get rid of ? He's been basking in his outdoor cage today, so would the suns UV have helped him in any way ?

 

[diamc]

It sounds like the stubborn and retained sheds are finally coming off. Continue to keep after any parts that haven't come off yet though.

 

[marlimarbles]

i cant find a cocoa butter stick anywhere.

am i not looking in obvious places? like wal mart, would they carry it?

 

[diamc]

I actually found it in a dollar store, think it cost about $1.25. A pharmacy should have it too, probably near the body lotions, etc. Here's a picture of what I bought.

 

[marlimarbles]

awesome thanks! one more silly question, sorry.

i found cocoa butter lotion but not a stick of it..... does it have to be a stick?

 

[diamc]

It doesn't HAVE to be, but I found the stick more useful and easier to apply.

 

[marlimarbles]

stick it is !!!

thanks

 

[BowzaXD]

Bowza is shedding loads now, literally peeling but he seems to be near his original colour but still not yet- so could this be another layer of shedding ? and does it matter if it's not 100% cocoa butter ? Because I couldn't find any, so Ive been using this and it seems to do the job. below is what I've been using
http://www.superdrug.com/body/palmers-cocoa-butter-formula-jar-100g/invt/379149/