Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Mogley is about, 16 inches long, very healthy, and green. However the other day she (i think she) must have gotten her tail stuck in the wood about 3 inches from the tip. It is not too bad, but it is cut on the top portion, and droops down on its own. I had put Steri Strips, from the doctors office, to support it a little, but she looses them in the water quite fast.

Is there anything I can do to aid the healing??? I sure hope she does not loose the end of her nice tail. Some times they use crazy glue in the emergency room to help with cuts. What are the chances of the being safe for my Mogley?? hmm, your comments will be greatly appreciated.

always a mystic

- Curly tailed lizard
- water dragons
- Cape York Spotted Python
- Corn snake
- Way too many fish
- Feed mice

crazy glue or super glue was originally invented in Canada as a surgical suture that why it sticks better to skin then anything else. The U.S. version has additives that make unsafe for internal use, It can be applied to the surface of a wound if you are careful not to get any actually in the wound. I wouldn't recomend this, because you increase your chance of infection by sealing the injury and trapping bacteria within. The healthiest thing for you to do would be to cover the injury with "new skin" an anticeptic that covers a wound like a bandage. Their tails are designed to seperate and break off. Without seeing the injury you are talking about, I can't say if it is likely to heal or not, but I would say that it is unlikely to heal straight regardless of what you do.

ok...if she does loose the last three inches, will the tail continue to elongate or does it simply grow the the mature lenth minue the 3 inches. I am doing my best with the injury, some glue and some bandage. It is not that big of a deal, but she was / is a perfect specimen.

I would suggest keeping some triple antibiotic ointment on the tail until the wound dries out to avoid an infection. I have seen pictures of tails after this has happeneded. Eventually a little stub should regrow but it will be very dark and usualy grows from the end of the old portion of tail in a crooked manner. It's a shame the damage happened, but if you watch for signs of infection in the wound she should be good as new soon.
-----

dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

New skin works better the the ointments it keeps the wound dry and covers it like a bandage while killing any bacteria that may be there. I have seen infections get worse with the ointments because the wound doesn't breathe properly.

I wouldn't worry about her being perfect. Perfection is all a matter of your criteria. The most perfect waterdragon that I have is 16 years old now, when I got him he was wild caught and had been in captivity for a year and had acclimated badly. He lost a third of his tail and several fingers. I consider him perfect, because he is completely tame, he eats from my hand and never run when I approach him. His health is extraordinary and he is still producing offspring despite his age. I wouldn't trade him for a hundred perfect tailed specimens!

Now I know why you're such an expert! 16 years is a long time to have such a pet! I am sure you consider him "perfect", as would I. I'd love to be able to keep my "herd" alive for 14 more years. You are THE MAN in my eyes! How many dragons do you now own, if I might ask?
-----

dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Just three right now. My wife just gave birth to our first child, Ava, March 25. To make room and time, I have had to reduce my reptile collection considerablely, Right now the three waterdragons, one male and two females, and a lone amphisbinae(Rhineura floridana) are the extent of my collection.

Congrats on your 1st child! I'd love to see your CWD sometime, if you can post a pic. People on my other forums are always asking about full grown dragons and I guess most people quit posting on the forums after their dragons"grow-up" and become less problematic (or very few of them make it alive-which causes me much angst to consider!) I have only seen a couple of pictures of 3-5 year olds. Good luck with your new baby and thanks again for all of your help on this forum. I have really appreciated it.
-----

dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago