Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, first off I want to let you know that this monitor means a lot to me and not just because of the time and money spent on him. So thanks to anyone who helps.. He is an ArgusXflavi cross and is around 7 -8 months old. He eats like a pig and digs like crazy like other monitor. He is very smart and loves to watch everything that is going on around him. He is very active and all in all seem very healthy. He has been to the vet just for a check up a few months back and everything was good. He has just been moved to a larger cage and is on a dirt floor for the first time. He seems to be loving the dirt, digging a lot and loves the room he has to run now. The temps in the cage are good a basking spot around 130F and a warm side around 90F and a cooler side around 80F. The humidity is good and is around 65% right now, Although is has been high for the last few days because of the dirt being a little moist.

I have seem other Argus monitors for sale at shops with what seems to be a few inches of their tails missing. When I asked to owner he said that it was how they have been since they were young. They has two argus at the shop and one was about 3 years old and the other around a year. They both seemed to have the tips of the tails missing. From the pictures attached you can see what I am talking about. His tail seems to be dried at the tip and looks like it will fall off very soon. This was not like this yesterday and when I got home from work today, I thawed out some pinkys and this is what I find. I would take him to the vet and spend the $45 office visit, but would like to know what people on here thing first. ... .. Thanks for reading.

-Chris.

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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)

let me just add that I know its not normal.. and that he soaked and swam around in the bath tub last night. so I dont think its a humidity issue... going to try to get the the vet tomorrow.
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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)

looks like dried retained shed skin to me- suggesting that it is in fact a humidity/husbandry problem.
I have seen this problem with monitors that have inconsistant humidity i.e wet/dry cycle.There is also a condition know as "constricting toe sydrome" that is seen in birds and sometimes reptiles.Either way, a trip to the vet is in order along with a serious look at your husbandry practices and a new name for your lizard.....stumpy.
Good luck.
Ben

I posted a question about Croc Monitor Tail infection below. I have a croc monitor that has lost almost all of his tail and it is most likely going to kill him. I have it in the Midwest with me and can't find any Vets that know how to treat them. They specialize in reptiles but no one even knows what it is. OK to the tail. I am not sure what is exactly wrong with your monitor, but it would be good to take it to a Vet and get it checked out. Even after my great statement about them. There are good Vets out there and with way more knowledge than you and me. I have had my monitors tail amputated and given shots of Baytril. It didn't work and the infection is back. Travelling up the tail once again. I had the Vet amputate a ways up the tail to make sure that the bad was removed and hopefully the cause of this horrible infection. It still came back like I said. All I am trying to tell you is get it in and have it seen. I understand that it is more than just a pet to you. Don't take any risks, if you like it. Not to mention, you should see a croc monitor with no tail. NOT REAL NICE! Plus, they have tails for a reason. It helps them in many ways. Well, good luck and I hope your monitor gets better. To wrap this up "Take it to a reputable Vet specializing in reptiles". Call some other Vets and ask them if they know of any good reptile Vets. They should be able to refer you to one if you have a hard time. Just cause they have a sign that says they treat reptiles doesn't make them experienced with them. One more time, Best of luck!

I talk to the vet today... and like everyone said it could be alot of things.... I think he is going to go into the vet this weekend to be checked out. His humidity is normaly around 50% but has jumped to about 80 a few times in the last 3days or so becuase of the moist dirt that he was just put on. It is down to around 50% again now.

Mr.Grzanowski, If you get a chance to look at these Give me a call or email anytime. Thanks alot for your time. email: ( chrispaine97@hotmail.com )

Oh ya and anyone in the lower MI area and looking for a good Herp vet... this is the guy.
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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)

I hope that you recieved my e-mail on wet and dry gangrene. It seems to be common for stressed animals. It is a good choice to take it to the Vet! Let me know what the out come on it is. Best of luck!

Yes I did get the email, he was going to go to the vet either way... but it made me think more and I called the vet after reading it and sent him some pictures and thats when the vet said to bring him in. Thanks alot man.
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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)

Well he went to the vet and he recommended that we take the affected area off and a little bit further up to make sure nothing gets left behind to come back later. We went with it and he’s ok. He was put to sleep for the operation and was cauterized with a laser to stop the bleeding. It sounded like the best way to go about it. He is to be giving oral drops twice daily and has a bandage until tomorrow when I take it off. He seems ok, we just got him and he is still running around and active. He was also nice about it and didn’t bite at all. Thanks to all the people who replied when I posted the pics in the first thread. here are some pics from tonight....
click here http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/showthread.php?p=204680#post204680

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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)

here are the pics
Link

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0.1.0 BCI, 3 yr old
0.0.1 Ridge Tail Monitor
0.0.1 ArgusXflavi Cross monitor
0.0.1 Leoperd Gecko, Juvi (My girlfriends)