Tail Rot?

[jthmdepp]

I was reading up on health issues with Beardies the other day and stumbled upon the topic of tail rot and how it can occur due to trauma. When I bought Rikku I didn't know at the time but his tail had some nips in it which became apparent as he aged (He must have been roughed up as a hatchling, when I picked him out I noticed he was missing a claw on one of his hands, but he was too damned cute to leave behind! n.n) . He is now roughly 2 years old, and a happy healthy energetic lizard, but I keep worrying about his tail. The tip of it kinks upwards and is blackish in color. I always thought that was just normal for him, but the more I read of tail rot the more paranoid I get that he may have it. Can anyone who is experienced in having a beardie that's gone through tail rot please take a look at the pictures I posted below and let me know what you think? (They're not that great, but it's the best I could do with my camera =/) Anything special I should do for him? I've already tried bathing him and gently massaging the tip to see if its retained shed but nothing seems to be loosening up or coming off.

Any responses would be much appreciated!

 

[Esther19]

My Buster has a more severe tail nip than Rikku. The last 1/2 inch of his tail is black, and turns up slightly at the end. It's not tail rot. The black has never spread. I just make sure that when he sheds his tail, the end gets all the shed off. You might search the forum for tail rot pics. Rikku looks just fine to me.