Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of Albert's toes is turning black. It's one of his longer toes on his back right foot, the tip. The toe was like this when I got him, but it was mostly covered w/gunk and I didn't pay much attention to it (bad carrie, bad!!!).
To get to my question...the vet didn't notice it almost 3 weeks ago when I took him in to get checked out. Should I take him back and see if it needs to be amputated, or will the tip just fall off? It's really hard, and it doesn't bother Albert when I touch it, like his other toes.
I feel so bad for him. Most of his remaining toes are missing nails, half of the toe is gone, or the nail is growing sideways due to lack of natural habitat (as natural as we can give them anyway).
Thanks in advance for any help.

Have a great day everyone!!

Carrie

and I knew the Toe was non-living tissue, I'd simply take a pair of toe nail clippers, and clip the dead toe off. People who document and mark collareds often clip off toes as a way to identify them for future references...I see no harm in it...especially when the toe is already dead...

It may even prevent or inhibit the spread of potential infection.

John Eddington

...should I make sure he can't feel it, by pinching it or something?? If he can't, where should I clip it...before the black, at the black or a little past the black?? Should I then keep him on paper towels and treat it w/some meds (what kind)until I am sure it's not infected? I have him on wheat bran for the moment.
Thanks John!!

Carrie

>>and I knew the Toe was non-living tissue, I'd simply take a pair of toe nail clippers, and clip the dead toe off. People who document and mark collareds often clip off toes as a way to identify them for future references...I see no harm in it...especially when the toe is already dead...
>>
>>It may even prevent or inhibit the spread of potential infection.
>>
>>John Eddington

He will flinch when she snip it...I would go just above the black area, to be sure you get it all off. Then just keep on some paper towels for a while until it scabs over...That is basically what the vet will do with a necrotic appendage, then charge you $50-75 for it. Maybe less. I would wash off the toe, and also the clippers with alcohol.

John

...I might wait a while. I want to make sure that it's the best choice for him. He has been through so much already. I am going to have my husband do the sniping too. My stomach can't deal w/that part.

Thanks again!!

Carrie

>>He will flinch when she snip it...I would go just above the black area, to be sure you get it all off. Then just keep on some paper towels for a while until it scabs over...That is basically what the vet will do with a necrotic appendage, then charge you $50-75 for it. Maybe less. I would wash off the toe, and also the clippers with alcohol.
>>
>>John

Thats my point she is not a vet and a wrong snip here or there can leave a more sore foot, even though the toe is dead, somewhere in that toe futher up is still nerves and veins and such, if ya dont cut right, it can hurt ! Again I'm not saying when you are experienced you can't take care of some things without a vet, I have, and do with my lizards, but in this case, she is already apprehensive, and if the little guy happens to move as they try and snip, more could be snipped than should be, I still say medicate the area, with antibacterial, and let it happen naturally, IF infact it does not happen naturally THEN do something !!! MY opinion again, LOL Eve

Like I said, I have a friend who snips toes regulary of wild lizards in the desert, and catches the same ones year after year. I say (and I'm right) LOL just kidding, snip the toe and get it over with. I would rather not drag a dead appendage around with me, but that's just me (no comments Eve...I know you're dying to comment on my "dead" appendages)

To support Eve's concern though...I do remember Will Wells saying he had a lizard's whole arm turn brown/black which later fell off, and the lizard was fine.

The decision is ultimately yours...I just offer suggestions on how I would handle the situation to save you some grief. You can't compare dogs to lizards, but I had a doberman that had one of his toe nail hanging off...bloody as all get out...He was obviousy annoyed and limping from it, because it kept snagging and tripping him up...some clean scissors, and it was history. He felt it, but walked fine immediately after my inexperienced surigical hands. My opinion is still...clip it. Every time the toe get snagged up, bent back, it will irritate nerves in the foot if you are concerned with pain and suffering.
It's a lizard toe...not vets necessary. If you slip and cut his head off, I feel sorry for you LOL

John (clipper vigilante)

person in DEAD APPENDAGES, my sympathies for your wife ! Anyway, I do not agree with what your toe clipping friend is doing either to wild lizards, just to tell them apart, this does not seem to humane to me, most mark them or with larger animals put tracking collars on them for ID purposes, but to purposely cut a lizards toe off for your own records seems quite NASTY TO ME !!
I have cut many of animals long toe nails, and also hanging dog nails, I have also cut rodents teeth that have grown together and made it impossible for them to eat (rodents teeth grow forever thats why they have to gnaw all the time) anyway bottom line Johnee, I would let it fall OFF !!! But would treat it with antibacterial. So there you are GOOFY but my friend !!!! ;0 Eve

You two have been very civil for disagreeing. I wish more people had disagreements this way.

To put your mind at ease eve, I am going to wait and keep a close eye on it. But if it moves up a knuckle/joint, it's history!! If it becomes problematic or bothering to him, once again...it's history!! If I cut his head off, which is hard to do w/nail clippers, I would say that I have a major problem on my hands! LMAO!!! I wouldn't, and won't, do anything that would put my "kids" life in danger. I will only do it (sniping) if I am completely comfortable w/it. My husband does all clippings (birds wings & feet, beardies nails, etc.), that is why I would have him do the clipping. I only trust MYSELF to securely hold my child. If it does get worse, it's nice to know all the information early this way I'm not scrambling to get it later.

Thanks for all the views and input on this.

Carrie

>>You two have been very civil for disagreeing. I wish more people had disagreements this way.
>>
>>To put your mind at ease eve, I am going to wait and keep a close eye on it. But if it moves up a knuckle/joint, it's history!! If it becomes problematic or bothering to him, once again...it's history!! If I cut his head off, which is hard to do w/nail clippers, I would say that I have a major problem on my hands! LMAO!!! I wouldn't, and won't, do anything that would put my "kids" life in danger. I will only do it (sniping) if I am completely comfortable w/it. My husband does all clippings (birds wings & feet, beardies nails, etc.), that is why I would have him do the clipping. I only trust MYSELF to securely hold my child. If it does get worse, it's nice to know all the information early this way I'm not scrambling to get it later.
>>
>>Thanks for all the views and input on this.
>>
>>Carrie

We are friends, and have the ability to hash things out,thats how we all learn,Thats a great decision, because if it did continue to worsen or spread YES get rid of it, I only say watch and see if it does fall off, Then if it dos not, do something they were my words ! LOL I know you will be fine I never questioned that, I have to qustion Mr. Ed at times just to keep him on his TOES hehhehe get it Johneeee ?? On his TOES if he has not removed them all LMAO bye Eve

Ha, ha, you wish. The toe clipping is probably more humane than prince albert piercings, but it is the common procedure...

Check out the link, then click on figure one...it may help in case you need technical support for the surgery...pretty much says "clip here" LOL

John (the Alberta Clipper)
Link

Okay, you are a nice guy, Please don't leave the forum, we all need you, and you are wonderful, okay now Dinglesnort? As far as that site, I checked it out since I can not mow anymore of my lawn, lawnmower ran out of gas, (the only thing I ask Of my Husband, I will do the lawn just make sure there is gas in the can, BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>> oh well anyway John, I went to that site and I still do not agree with cutting a perfect wild lizards foot just to track it ! NOT RIGHT IN MY BOOK !!! So there you you goofball ! Eve

ha,ha.

impersonating him , you fraud, LOL Eve

n/m

PEACE OUT.

We shall be lost at sea w/out our captain!! What will we do to stay afloat??

kissing your butt... (_._) smack!

(Coming to my senses) You can't leave this forum! No other forum is as fun as this one! I just wish I would have got (grammar teacher would be proud) a collared along time ago just to come on here and chat collareds w/you guys. You're all great and full of knowledge!

How's the ego now?? If you need some more just let me know. I can blow up a person's head!

Later,
Carrie

>>PEACE OUT.

n/m

MUTINY ! MUTINY!! for this CAPTAIN !!! Hahhahahha Eve

Very Easy !!! Eve

I don't like Johns method, although I do understand why you would do it, I on the other hand would continue to put neosporin on it or something simular for infection purposes only, and let it fall off naturally ! But hey Thats just me ! LOL Eve