Worried about Girl's Tail - Pics

[Rachella]

Alrighty here's a question. It's been a growing concern of mine. When we first got Girl we noticed the very tip of her tail had a kink in it but didn't think much of it, it doesn't seem to bother her. However over the year we've had her I've noticed the tail slowly growing darker and darker and spreading towards her body. I've included images to show a comparison, I unfortunately only have one image of her complete tail from around when we first got her but you can still see the difference.

This first image was almost exactly a year ago and taken on June 20 2008.

The next few images were taken on June 12 of this year, see the difference?

She doesn't look much bigger does she? Unfortunately little Girl just doesn't seem to want to grow, I think she's only gained -maybe- an inch since we bought her, but that's alright, we love her anyways! :love5: Which is why I'm growing increasingly concerned about her tail. It's always like that, even when she brightens up her colors for us. Does anyone know what it is and if I should be worried about it?

 

[Venom508]

hello,

that to me looks like it necrotic and if it does spread to her body it will kill her so if i am right, you need to take her to a vet ASAP!!!

 

[Buggsy]

I agree a vet app is needed. What does the darker bit feel like? is it the same as the 'normal' tail?

Have you gone over her set up? only growing an inch in a year for a littl' un is def not normal. What brand UVB are you using and how old is it?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Ooh, that does look like possible necrosis on that tail. I am afraid you are going to have to get her in to see a vet. If that continues going up the tail, it will become a systemic infection which will affect her overall health eventually.
Do you know what caused the kink or was it like that when you got her? Oh nevermind, so the kink was present when you did get her. It must have been from an accident of it being hit or closed in something.
Unfortunately, there are no home remedies for this as it is not dried out & getting ready to fall off you could deal with that. This is still viable tissue which you need to get assessed to see if any of the lower portion of her tail will need to be removed.

Tracie

 

[Rachella]

Ick, I was afraid of that... Thanks everyone for your input, I'm calling vets right now to see if they have anyone experienced with reptiles, bearded dragons specifically. I checked the herpvet website but the closest one is an hour and a half drive away, so I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping one is closer before we make that trip.

Her UVB is a Reptisun 10.0 and I just changed it out a month ago. She can get within 8 inches of it. I honestly think she's just a slow grower, though if someone could recommend a way to get her going I'd be up for suggestion!

The texture of the dark part as opposed to the lighter part didn't -feel- any different to me... But now I'm worried I'm just not knowing what to feel for.

Thanks again everyone for the input, we'll try to get her into a vet ASAP and see what they say. I'll post an update when I have it. Hopefully if they do need to remove a part of her tail it won't be much... her tail is one of her best features! Just now when I took her out it curled all the way around my arm. Crossing my fingers.

EDIT :: Her appointment is for tomorrow at 11:30, so I'll update some time tomorrow hopefully.

 

[annieoakley123]

I hope she is going to be okay!!

 

[Beardiemommy137]

Half hour till Girl's appointment... Hope everything turns out ok. I worry about Girl and Dude. Their brother says hello!! Keep us posted!!

 

[Ethelia]

Hoping for good news for you and lil girl.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

WISHING YOU THE BEST OF LUCK!!!!

 

[TariStar]

Don't be scared if the tail requires amputation. My Yavie has no tail for much the same reason (in my case though it was from an infected bite wound)

 

[momofonebeardie]

A few years back Fluffy had to have some of her tail removed. It looked a lot like yours looks. I hope the vet was able to help.

 

[momof2boys]

How much tail can be taken off? I'm certain Papi's tail is necrotic. Just scheduled him with a herp vet for Monday... But his is darkest near his nub, then is less and less dark until about an inch and a half from his body... This worries me. Can they take THIS much off??

 

[Rachella]

Back from the vet with good news!

The vet said Girl's tail looked fine. She wiggled it around, bent it and tested it and said that it was still very flexible, not getting hard and stiff or anything and looked alright with her. She examined the very tip of Girl's tail where the kink is with a microscope and said that even that part looked okay despite the coloring. The vet said that for now it seems to be nothing more than Girl's coloring but said to keep an eye on it to see if it worsens, so I'm still a little apprehensive.

Girl got a general clean bill of health otherwise and the vet was really excited with her, saying that the majority of beardies she sees are fairly lethargic, whereas Girl was being a sweetie pie and being her natural, curious self. I was a little upset with how the vet handled her, definitely more forcefully than needed, but other than that it seemed to be a good vet visit.

Afterwards Girl got admired in two different pet stores we stopped at on the way home and we bought her a new log just for the troubles! Also some waxworms to make her feel better. I think she's just glad to be back home and safe.

Oh, and Girl weighs... I think 160 grams? If I remember right.

So hopefully this is just part of Girl's coloration but I am going to be keeping a -very- close eye on it!

Thanks so much for the information and support guys! We're both very happy to have all of Girl still intact and good to go, hopefully it'll remain that way! Girl says "Hiiiii!" also!

How much tail can be taken off? I'm certain Papi's tail is necrotic. Just scheduled him with a herp vet for Monday... But his is darkest near his nub, then is less and less dark until about an inch and a half from his body... This worries me. Can they take THIS much off??

I honestly don't know for sure how much they can take off.. I've seen beardies with only half of their tail so I know at least that much. Good luck with the vet visit! I hope everything goes well!

 

[annieoakley123]

Thats great news. What a nice momma buying her bribe gifts after that truamatic beardie day! hehehe I hear ya on the handling part. My little boy was being man handled when i took him in, but he was completely fine and she was gentle...just down to business!

momof2boys wrote:
How much tail can be taken off? I'm certain Papi's tail is necrotic. Just scheduled him with a herp vet for Monday... But his is darkest near his nub, then is less and less dark until about an inch and a half from his body... This worries me. Can they take THIS much off??

I have seen a literal nub for a tail on this site. I was so confused and had to do a double take, and yup, a nub. Im sure if a beardie can live without limbs and do just fine getting around Im sure a close-to-nothing tail would be fine too.

 

[Rachella]

Haha yeah! She was on her log within minutes. I couldn't grab a picture of her though before her papa had her out and was snuggling her. She's been very spoiled today!