Tail problems

[EightFingers]

Hey everyone, been a member for years but recently got a new bearded we call Toothless. I got him from pet smart and he was a "fancy" one. Still unsure on his morph but it doesn't seem very distinct.

His tail was messed up when I got him, but wanted to know your thoughts on what I should do.

Here's a pic

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....Toothless is a cutie, looks like a beautiful red leatherback. Can you post a few more pics of his tail ? The entire tail laid out as straight as possible. Was it mangled in some way, is it crooked or just hasn't shed ? You can put some pure aloe gel on it [ no added ingredients ] but if it's something serious he may need further treatment.

 

[EightFingers]

 

[EightFingers]

Had to upload and post from my phone so I thought I'd respond online.

His tail is so thin so it's quite hard to take a pic but I believe the last one is good. I'm not entirely sure what happened as that's how I bought him. It looks crushed to me though.

 

[AHBD]

Good pics.... that part of the tail end is definitely dead , some type of trauma as you suspected, either was crushed or had a severe retained shed that restricted blood flow. It may fall of on it's own or may need to be amputated. Watch it like a hawk to be sure any infection doesn't travel further up, if that happens you would want to get to a vet ASAP and they would amputate. Beardies can adapt very well with missing limbs or part of the tail gone so if it comes down to that he should be O.K

 

[EightFingers]

Good pics.... that part of the tail end is definitely dead , some type of trauma as you suspected, either was crushed or had a severe retained shed that restricted blood flow. It may fall of on it's own or may need to be amputated. Watch it like a hawk to be sure any infection doesn't travel further up, if that happens you would want to get to a vet ASAP and they would amputate. Beardies can adapt very well with missing limbs or part of the tail gone so if it comes down to that he should be O.K

Thank you for this information. Do you think I should go to a vet now or wait? Or since I just got him Sunday, should I just bring him back to PetDepot and get a healthy one?

 

[EightFingers]

Ok, So I called PetSmart. I explained the situation and they are going to take him back. I know that sounds awful, but after a ton of research I just can't bring myself to spending a couple hundred on a vet visit the first week I've had him.

On a VERY positive note, they explained they will be taking him to the vet to get his tail amputated and the company is going to cover the bill. That makes me feel so much better he will be taken care of!

 

[AHBD]

That sounds like a win -win situation. Hopefully he'll recover well under their care, maybe you could even inquire on adopting him after he's healed up. But of course you may just want a fully tailed healthy baby which is understandable. Anyway, I'm glad that they will take care of him and you.