Tail Injury

[martaize]

I dropped a decent sized rock on my beardie's tail while arranging furniture inside his viv. Yes, the rock is removed, and I will no longer arrange furniture for him while he is inside.

He still eats like a pig, runs around like a normal beardie, and acts normal in all aspects. His tail still has feeling because if I grab at the end of the tail, he reacts, and he can also still swing his tail around just fine. He just finished shedding, but the skin below the injury to the tail hasn't shed, and I am a bit worried. Is his tail going to heal or fall off? I'm soaking it often, but what else should I be doing?

Here is a picture of his tail 1.5 weeks after injury.

 

[JayceeBuddy67]

It looks a bit bruised, and it may fall of, you'll just have to wait. I'm sorry for your little guy.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh dear, it is quite dented in on him. Poor guy, accidents do happen. It must have been a sizable rock?
There really isn't much you can do other than wait it out. Have you tried gently pinching or stroking the lower portion of his tail to see if you get a reaction that he has feeling?

Tracie

 

[CooperDragon]

I don't see an open wound which is a good sign. That helps to minimize the risk of infection. If he reacts to you grabbing the lower part of the tail that's another good sign. I agree that there isn't too much you can do other than keep an eye on it for now. Look out for open wounds or signs of infection. If you see those apply some unpasteurized honey to the area. Otherwise it may just stay that way and be fine. If he does lose the tail, again just look out for and treat open wounds. They can survive and even thrive without their tail but that's kind of a worst case scenario in my opinion.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Ooch. Looks like you've got some crushed vertebrae in there if nothing else. As has been advised, does he respond to touch beyond the injury? If so, he'll probably always have a dent in it, but it should recover. If not, it would be worth seeing a vet to find out your best options (whether to leave it or remove it).

 

[martaize]

Thanks everyone!

He does respond to me touching the end of his tail. He'll look back at my hand, and even wiggle his tail around a bit. I hope he keeps the tail, even though there will always be a kink in it.

My biggest worry right now is getting the scales below the injury to shed, since the rest of the body just finished. Should this be a worry or will it probably eventually come off if he has circulation to his tail? Should I be putting oil on the tail maybe so the scales come off? I've also heard about cocoa butter helping retained shed.

 

[CooperDragon]

If the tail is functioning normally, I'd guess that the shed cycles will continue normally as well. It's common for the shedding to be patchy though so there isn't a whole lot you can do other than wait. If you see signs of a shed you could offer some soaks or put some plain aloe on the area if you want but otherwise I'd just let him shed on his own at his own pace.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I agree, it appears that he still has normal function in his tail. If he just has a dent in his tail, it may just pose a little bit of a challenge for the shedding, but not impossible. You can always use olive or mineral oil, or shea butter works well, too.
As suggested, you could take him to the vet also, just for an x-ray for peace of mind too just for seeing if anything was damaged or to what extent.
How is he doing today?

Tracie

 

[martaize]

He is still doing great! Eating lots, pooping lots, and running around a lot whenever I give him the opportunity. The top part of his tail, above the injury, shed like immediately after I injured it. I noticed today that that top part is now grey again like it is getting ready to shed again, already? But the part below his tail has been grey for a while now and hasn't shed yet. Maybe he's getting ready to shed the entire tail since the injury might be healed up a bit? I'm hoping that's what's going on. He still has feeling in the entire tail since I can grab the very end and he will react to it. I don't know, but I'll let everyone know what happens! Thanks again!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is terrific he is doing so well then!
It sounds like his tail is doing well & has shed part of it. Hopefully the lower portion will shed off just as easily.
I am glad it hasn't slown him down at all. At least he has feeling in the tail, so he should be perfectly fine!

Tracie

 

[martaize]

Good news! Ruben's tail shed completely today, all the way to the end, and is now colorful He just has a crooked tail now, but seems to move it around just fine. So happy he didn't have to lose his tail! Thanks the the help everyone!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is terrific he finished out his shedding & that he is no worse for the wear! At least he did not lose his tail, it will just make him extra special. When you get a chance, post some new pictures for us so we can see.
I am happy everything turned out just fine.

Tracie

 

[martaize]

Here is what his tail looks like now. It's actually a little darker than the upper part of his tail, but it shed, so it's fine. Just a crooked tail, no biggie!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, that is different! He will be special then. At least he didn't lose his tail though.

Tracie

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

I shouldn't giggle, but that's a spectacularly special tail. I'm impressed!