Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading this forum for about six months. I finally took the big step and got some Mali uroastyxs. I got a trio sex undetreminded.
My question is 2 of them seem to have something kinda fonky going on with thier tails. I will post some photos. I would just like to know if this is normal. If not what is it and should I be concerned.
I am working to get them acclimated. They eat well. We ae feeding them boc choy, mixed greens, pees, fiench seed, and dandilion greens. Thier basking sight gets to around 120F. At night the cage stays around 74F.
Thanks for looking!
Mark

Here one of the med sized one's tail. The scales are a little harder to see.

This is the largest of the three. She is about 10 inches. Is she big enough to sex yet? If so what is she?

Here is vent shots of the med sized one. I would live to know what all of them are.

Here is a vent shot of this one she is about 7 inches long. BTW these nose to tip of tail measurments.
Also forgot to say that they are eating mazuri also. Mine seem to like it better wet. I don't give it wet each day. i was worried about to much humidity. When they do get it wet, I thought that would help with rehidration.

” I would just like to know if this is normal. If not what is it and should I be concerned.”

No, this does not appear to be normal. Yes, you should be concerned about any abnormal issue that may impact the health of the animal. Only a culture will determine exactly what this is. Appearance wise- it looks fungal but could be a bacterial infection or even a combination of fungus and bacteria. Do not assume that this issue is surface/exterior only as the condition could be festering under the whorls.

I would contact the person you purchased these uromastyx from and ask about returning the animals. I am assuming that you were not aware of the tail condition and were focused on buying healthy animals -not cheap animals with known health issues.

If you decide to keep the animals, I would suggest a vet trip to have this organism cultured so that the proper medication (rather than guessing) can be prescribed. Even if the animals arrived together, I would suggest separating into individual quarantine enclosures.

Have you ever seen anything like it before?
I got them from LLL reptile at the Narbc show. So, they were not sight unseen. I don't think they will take them back, as it has been 2 wks. Live and learn, huh?!
When I looked at them befor I bought them, I just wasn't concerned with it. I can't get into my vet for a week. So I'll just treat it with betadine wash, & keep them in the conditions I can provide. They are eating like little pigs. It also doesn't seem to be bothering them.

Not in my expertise but i know this:NO SAND-use papertowels for now(you can slightly moisten the paper towels so the wet mazuri is OK),get the culture so you will know what creme to apply(i don't know if betadine is the route to take,I would wait unless you know better already),they may need oral meds as well, and possibly fluids,be careful with handling them-wash your hands thoroughly before doing anything after touching them. You will be treating them for a while and up to a month after the symptoms are completely gone-but I have a feeling they will make it,my freind. ps -the mid size fella looks male.

I thought when you called her a she you knew it was female-wasn't paying attention to the sexing part of your post much-but looking at the pics again I realized what you meant. 10 inches-female. the little one? pass-but 50% male haha. how are they? they will be fine I'm sure. Curious-does it smell bad?

Thanks they are doing better. No it doesn't smell.
I have been using a antibiotic cream and betadine wash. They are eating ok. The strand crusty areas are getting smaller.
Thanks For everyones help.
I'll never break my rule "Always buy CB" again with uros. This has been good learning event.

What hve you been treating them with and how?

My rescued male mali uro has this also on his tail with the very tip missing. The reptile vet I went to said it looked like the result of improper sheding and that it should go away with proper diet and more sheds. Then again, he said I didn't have to change his substrate from sand to paper towel while hes being treated for pinworms. :/ Other herp club members said it looked more like a burn.

I would like to treat him as you are treating yours since you have noticed improvement in the affected areas. Then I will look into another vet for longterm care problems.

I used a antibacteria cream n the infections. I also made sure the temps are correct. Also I used the new Jungle products. I have them on paper also. Good luck!!
What are you treating your with for pinworms?

What type of antibacterial cream?

The vet I took him too have him an oral dose, not sure of what though and I have to go back in a month for one more dose.

(BTW I am keeping my mali uro in a 40 breeder (not optimal, but better than the 20long he came with with plans for a custom built cage) on paper towel with two terra cotta hides and his ceramic food bowl. I have a esu reptile double light bulb fixture mounted on the bottom of the screen with two 18w 7% UVB bulbs and a 150w zoomed basking lamp. Gotta go to the store tomorrow and get a digital thermometer to check temps.)