One of the more common health problems for beardies is referred to as bearded dragon tail rot. This condition can be caused by an internal infection and can become quite an issue if not properly cared for on time. As a result, beardies can even lose their tails altogether.
Considering that bearded dragons cannot grow appendages back, tail rot seems to be a big problem. Let’s take a look at the root causes of this condition and go over some treatment options to try and prevent the infection.
Bearded dragon tail rot can quickly go from mild to severe when not diagnosed and treated early on. To make matters worse, the infection can quickly spread to other parts of the bearded dragon and even affect its internal organs.
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Sings Of Tail Rot On Bearded Dragons
- A Dry, weak, or brittle appearance on bodyparts
- Tail or other body parts not shedding normally
- The tip of the bearded dragon’s tail turning black
Can Tail Rot Kill a Bearded Dragon?
Yes, In very advanced stages, bearded dragon tail rot can be a deadly infection. As the infection progresses from the tail to other parts of the specimen’s body, like the internal organs, it is more likely to kill.
The best way to avoid tail rot becoming a deadly infection is to remain vigilant and be able to diagnose it during the initial stages. The earlier one notices tail rot in a bearded dragon, the easier it will be to go through the proper protocols and treatment.
What Does Tail Rot Look Like?
Tail rot on a bearded dragon will commonly be seen on the tail; however, the infection can also affect other body parts like the toes. Bearded dragon tail rot starts with a few minor color changes. Then, the tail or the toes become sensitive, dry and brittle. The symptoms happen because the affected body parts receive less blood flow.
Appendages like the tail will begin to lose sensitivity because the tissue is dying due to the ongoing infection. In addition, if tail rot isn’t treated correctly, the condition will make its way to other parts of the bearded dragon.
What Causes Tail Rot In Bearded Dragons?
The leading cause of tail rot is usually some sort of trauma stemming from bites coming from other bearded dragons or, in some cases, bites coming from feeder insects like crickets. Unfortunately, the “bites” don’t heal correctly, and infection can occur.
Another cause of tail rot in bearded dragons can be an imperfect shed that remains on the tail and begins to cut off blood flow. Finally, tail rot can even be caused by an injury from playing with a bearded dragon toy and not healing correctly.
Other causes for tail rot also occur due to negligence by the owner. For example, an unbalanced diet can lead to tail rot and a lousy lighting setup. Beardies need approximately 12 hours of f UVB light each day to metabolize calcium properly. Calcium is a crucial mineral to keep reptiles healthy.
Unhealthy or unbalanced diets may also affect total calcium absorption in bearded dragons by having unbalanced ratios of calcium to phosphorus. In addition, the unbalanced dietary scenario may make it more difficult for a beardie to fight off an infection.
How to Prevent Tail Rot In Bearded Dragons
Preventing tail rot in your bearded dragons is the best way to avoid expensive vet bills, casualties, and grief. Housing is an essential factor to look into. Start by making sure you do not house too many baby dragons together.
In the early stages of development, bearded dragons will try to compete with other young specimens and end up nipping at each other.
Adult dragons can be just as competitive, so it is a good idea to try to keep one bearded dragon per tank. If you have several bearded dragons, it is imperative to prepare several setups to house each one independently. The species enjoys solitary and seldom comes into contact with other bearded dragons in the wild.
Owners should also take a look at the bedding in the enclosure. The type of substrate one uses in the tank can develop bacteria or fungi that can be detrimental to your beardies. In addition, cuts or scrapes can quickly become an infection when exposed to bacteria. This is typically the case with different kinds of a substrate; they can also cause impaction if ingested.
Some keepers prefer to use newspapers or paper towels. Both are easy to clean up from the tank and relatively cheap.
To prevent tail rot, a third item to look into is to clean your bearded dragon’s tank properly. Many owners like to implement a mix of 50% water with 50% vinegar in a spray bottle. The spray is easy to apply and works great as a non-toxic solution to kill most bacteria one would find in the enclosure. After spraying the mix and wiping it down, let the tank air out for several minutes before putting your beardies back in.
Once every couple of months, we also have a deep cleaning of the tanks by applying bleach and water. This will eliminate any problematic pathogen that could develop in the enclosure. The approximate mix is 1 part bleach and 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Once we spray the tank, we will usually let it sit for approximately 15 minutes before giving it a good rinse. Bleach can be harmful, so make sure to let the tank out for an additional 4 hours before adding your bearded dragons back in.
How To Treat Tail Rot In Bearded Dragons?
There are a few treatments for tail rot, from home remedies to antibiotics and surgery. Of course, home remedies are the first line of defense. However, they will really only work if you can catch bearded dragon tail rot early enough.
Home Remedies For Tail Rot
- The first thing to do is clean your bearded dragon’s tail daily using lukewarm water. This should loosen up any dirt particles stuck on the skin.
- For the duration of treatment, it is advisable to use paper towels as a substrate since they are easy to clean up.
- Put a few drops of betadine in a small dish with water. The approximate amount should be enough to barely change the color of the water to a tea color.
- Next, you should soak your bearded dragon’s tail in the solution for around 5 minutes daily.
- With a clean cloth, gently pat dry your bearded dragon.
- Using a cotton swab apply a tiny bit of Neosporin onto the tail (or the affected area). Remember to use the original formula of Neosporin.
- Continue the treatment for 5-7 days and closely monitor to ensure the tail rot is not progressing.
Surgery For Tail Rot
Surgery for bearded dragons’ tail rot means the appendage will be amputated. The length of amputation will vary on how much the infection has progressed and what the veterinarian might suggest. After surgery, the medical specialist will prescribe medications and treatment that can continue at home.
Pricing for surgery can depend on where someone lives, so the cost in the USA will vary from an owner residing in South America. However, for the most part, I’ve seen a fluctuation in price from $100 to $600 for surgery.
Conclusion
Tail rot can be troublesome for a bearded dragon and the owner. It is crucial to spot the condition during the early stages so it doesn’t become a more severe infection. Taking preemptive measures to ensure the situation doesn’t develop in the first place should always be your first line of defense. Once the conditions have been spotted, a visit to the veterinarian should be the first measure an owner takes.
