Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so I picked up the rescue dragon this morning. The kid just handed me a cold dragon at 12:30 in the afternoon. Never a good sign. The dragon is just skin and bones. I brought him immediately to the Univ. of Pa. Vet Hospital but they didn't have a reptile vet on so that wasn't much help. I did get them to give him a shot of calcium and fluids under my own opinion though. I never really checked over the dragon till I got home. He is missing anout 1/2 his tail. The last inch seems to be skin only and hollow. Anyone seen this before? I have heard of tail rot but have never experienced it and really can't find much in my search.

Wow, that's too bad. poor lil guy. Nope, never seen or heard that one before. Wish you and the lil guy the best of luck in gettin him better. are u going to remove that if it's hollow and just skin? I'd give it a good soaking that always helps.
-kris
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5.2 Bearded dragons (Kunja,Mango,Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Lily,O.C.)
1.0 Mali Uromastyx (Uri)
( Momma Beardie Julia, and Uros Max and Jacques have since passed, we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

My guess is that the tail is dieing and rotting away from the inside? I plan to have any dead tissue removed ASAP but of course it's a holiday weekend.

This dragon is the worst looking I have ever seen. It's really a shame. I can tell that he was once healthy and big. Probably in the mid to high 600's. Today he weighs 430 and is nothing but skin and bones. I fed him 4 silkworms and it doesn't even seem that he can chew them. He also has tons of retained shed issues.

I will bath him soon but figured his day was traumatic enough. I picked him up at 12:30 and got to the Vet at 2 then 2 hours there so I didn't get him here and warm until almost 5 and lights out here is 8:15.

Does this sound like what his tail looks like:

http://www.anapsid.org/gangrene.html

Yes it does. Thanks.

I was going to say most likely the tail is infected and gangrene but somebody else already posted a good link describing it. Definitely need to get that tail cleaned and antibiotics administered as soon as you can. You probably can carefully cut away or peal away the dead tissue and bind the end with something (a human bandaid with cotton part on the tail tip and the sticky ends attached over the tail. Tape can be used to seal the non-sticky sides of the cotton pad area.

As you have done rescues before plenty of times, I am sure you know what is best to do otherwise, get him warmed up, exposed to UVB, plenty of fluids and some food. I am sure once he is getting proper husbandry he will perk up and be better able to fight the infection from his tail till you can get him to a vet.
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PHLdyPayne

Actually I brought him straight to the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School Emergency Room from the persons house. They described it as a healed wound. But, they don't have a reptile specialist on Saturday afternoon and the doctor I saw openly admitted that I know more about dragons than he does.

They basically did what I suggested and gave him a shot of Calcium and fluids, then had me sit around for a couple hours so I would feel like I got my money's worth. lol.

I didn't notice that it was hollow until I got him home.

I'll bring him to my regular vet on Tuesday. I want to see a radiograph before I even consider cutting the skin or having the tail partially amputated. I am worried because he is all skin and bones and I don't think he can handle a round of antibiotics.

Oh, and he has no use of his back legs. This dragon just breaks my heart.

aww! poor little guy!! well at least he's got the right person looking out for him now! I hope he gets better soon! good luck BDlvr!!

How's your lil guy doing? Been thinkin' about him.