Tail rot? Or old injury?

[TxBx4]

We adopted our beardie (around 4 months old.. estimated age on purchase date of 9/7/24) I bathe him 1 to 3 times weekly. But have had an area of concern on his tail tip since we brought him home. I'd like some peace of mind, it appears kinked/ dented. I want to make sure this isn't tail rot. We got him from petco. And their conditions/ animal care is less than ideal. It doesn't seem dry/crusty or painful. He is in middle of a shed, but the tail has had this weird appearance since we got him. Should I be concerned?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It looks like it may have been kinked or injured previously but at the moment it doesn't appear infected. For now, I would just keep an eye on it to be sure it doesn't turn a darker color as it would if it were infected & traveling upwards on the tail.
You can put some antibiotic ointment on it daily a couple of times per day just in case there is any irritation or infection going on.

Tracie

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

It looks like it may have been kinked or injured previously but at the moment it doesn't appear infected. For now, I would just keep an eye on it to be sure it doesn't turn a darker color as it would if it were infected & traveling upwards on the tail.
You can put some antibiotic ointment on it daily a couple of times per day just in case there is any irritation or infection going on.

Tracie

Thank you so much! Is any type of antibiotic ointment safe? I read Manuka honey as well. I'd like to get a jump on treating it now. That way it doesn't worsen. I'm trying my best to be a good knowledgeable owner.

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you so much! Is any type of antibiotic ointment safe? I read Manuka honey as well. I'd like to get a jump on treating it now. That way it doesn't worsen. I'm trying my best to be a good knowledgeable owner.

Manuka is good the ointment should have no pain relief in it

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Yes, the Manuka honey is very good, probably stronger than regular raw honey, too. Let us know how
the tail is looking.

Tracie

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

Yes, the Manuka honey is very good, probably stronger than regular raw honey, too. Let us know how
the tail is looking.

Tracie

Thank you I will update once we have some time to keep a close eye. I appreciate all the help I can get in being the owner he deserves!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Absolutely, we are all here to help out! I hope he gets better & back to normal soon.

Tracie

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

Absolutely, we are all here to help out! I hope he gets better & back to normal soon.

Tracie

You guys have all been wonderful we got him a month ago for our 8 year olds birthday. And it's been a month plus of borderline obsessive research and questions to make sure I'm doing this right I'll update in a week or so on his tail tip

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

Absolutely, we are all here to help out! I hope he gets better & back to normal soon.

Tracie

I was going to ask about handling. He has never bitten, run away, hissed, puffed/black bearded us. We waited almost weeks before handling. Then moved to every other day. Now we handle once daily. While he's out he wants to burrow under us. And when we return him to his tank after short holding time, he hides under his basking ramp/platform in the corner, digs at the tanks side and then eventually goes to bed. Is this stress related behavior?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What time of the day do you get him out, later in the day? It sounds like he wants to take a nap or go to
sleep. You can definitely handle him a couple of times daily, no problem at all. That's what really helps
them bond with you.
I don't think it's stress related though!

Tracie

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

What time of the day do you get him out, later in the day? It sounds like he wants to take a nap or go to
sleep. You can definitely handle him a couple of times daily, no problem at all. That's what really helps
them bond with you.
I don't think it's stress related though!

Tracie

Now that you mention it, he tries to burrow under

 

[TxBx4]

Now that you mention it, he tries to burrow under us when we hold him in the evenings. He digs and wants to go under shirts/legs etc. And the past few times he's gone into his tank dug at the side and laid himself down have been within an hour of his lights turning off hopefully he gets to disperse energy and calms down with us and is ready for bed after. I've considered a dig box for his bed time etc (but not as main substrate of course) so he does not get impaction

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

A lot of them will try to burrow underneath of everything, to take a nap!

Tracie

 

[TxBx4]

Hello,

Yes, the Manuka honey is very good, probably stronger than regular raw honey, too. Let us know how
the tail is looking.

Tracie

Updating to say, he's doing well still. Big and happy. Tail looks exactly the same as it always has but does not seem to bother him at all