Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 30 inch ETB that I have had for about a year. He has done great so far but yesterday I saw something weird with his tail. The last 1/2 inch or so is pinkish white like the skin sloughed off. I am assuming that it is some kind of infection. He has lately been using a lower branch in the cage all the time instead of the higher one under the heat lamp. I moved him and looked at the branch that he was on and there is a bit of whitish green fungus or mold on it. Probably becuase the branch goes all the way down into the water. I am going to dry the branch off in the sun or oven and keep it out of the water but what do I do with the tail. Is there something specific that I should treat it with?

Thanks
Mike

Hey Mike-
Hard to tell whay may have caused the lesion you describe. Would not rule out "ring-tail" in which a shed is nearly complete except for the very last portion of the tail. The stuck piece of old skin can cause grief and is, I suspect, a leading reason why so many wild adult snakes have the last piece of their tail missing(as opposed to near-miss predation).
Nonetheless, I would at least treat with a broad-spectrum topical antibiotic...Neosporin or something of that ilk. The environmental observation and remedy are of course good steps too. It may heal with simple scaring or he could lose the tip of his tail. If it seems to become agravated in any way or you notice any other abnormal symptoms, I'd make a trip to to the Vet for certain. Good luck.
Bill