|
Post by Dudley on Apr 16, 2004 16:39:58 GMT -8
I picked him up today, after chasing him around, and when I was going to put him up, I noticed this. What's happening to my new iglet? Clint
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 16, 2004 19:28:13 GMT -8
uhohhhhhhhhhhhhh I personally have never dealt with a dropped tail....and the fact that its partially dropped makes it more complicated. It's not a fatal wound. For the time being, I would suggest soaking the tail in water and Betadine (just enough to make the the water about the color of tea), dry it well, apply some triple antibiotic ointment and bandage it loosely in gauze to keep it clean. In a day or so remove the bandage and hope for the best. Be sure to keep the cage REALLY clean while it's healing. I can't tell from the pic how deep it is. Maybe there's a chance it will heal without breaking the rest of the way off. (?) We need more help here than what I can give you. I'm not one to say "run your ig to the vet" over every little thing, that's your choice. I would also suggest posting at www.herpcenter.com I'm sorry I can't help more! (I'm assuming you know that iguanas can "drop their tales" at will when they are in danger of being caught. If you didn't already know that, holler and I'll provide more info.)
|
|
|
Post by SurvivorSteph on Apr 16, 2004 22:45:28 GMT -8
I have heard that some vets have been successful in surgically reattaching a dropped tail. Since Dudley's tail isn't totally off, you may want to pursue that. you may have to convince your vet to do it since their tails are designed to drop, but I think it'd be worth it. Also you're gonna have to be REAL careful of gangrene or even dry gangrene.
Keep us posted!
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 17, 2004 5:43:23 GMT -8
|
|
GHOST
Junior Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by GHOST on Apr 17, 2004 6:52:40 GMT -8
Hello, *This is just my opinion on this matter.* I would suggest that you allow the vet to remove the portion of tail that is broken. The breaking of the tail,as it is displayed,is not an abnormal function. It is designed to do so. However,reattaching the broken tail can be both costly,and have side effects. The first side effect of reattaching the tail would be the stress point. That break locations plate is never going to be as strong as it was originally. Another breakage at that location would be likely,but not guaranteed. There is also the chance of it breaking,or "opening" again during the healing process. Young iguanas are not prone to just "lay" there during the few weeks it would take for that to heal. The tail break itself is stressful on the Iggy,stitches and medication will further stress the iguana. Once the tail is amputated,it will not require stitches. It will need to be cleansed daily,and have some triple body antibiotics applied. A loose wrap at the "stub" would also be beneficial to help keep the area clean. The enclosure should be kept as clean as possible to deter bacteria. The tail will not be as attractive as the original,but it will grow back. The muscle and skin will enclose the "stub" and the tail will continue to grow. This would be the least stressful way to deal with this situation. We need to remember that a tail drop is a natural defense of the iguana. They are designed to cope with this. Leaving the tail in its current state is not advised. If the tail were to attempt to heal,it would grow crooked,and there would be a high chance that it will break again in a relatively short period of time. The tail needs to be amputated,or if you decide,reattached. In either case,keep the iguana hydrated,and try to increase the calcium intake slightly to help promote healing and to strengthen the bone. Beta-dine soaking daily of the affected area are also suggested. Good luck! Keep us all posted. (BTW,this is Rich from HC.)
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 17, 2004 7:47:02 GMT -8
Clint, just for the record, I hate telling people to shell out money when it's not necessary, but I completely agree with Rich on this one. If I had this situation, I'd be calling the vt ASAP.
|
|
|
Post by dominick on Apr 17, 2004 11:17:38 GMT -8
Hi Clint- Best to see a vet buddy. The tail needs to be amped or sutured most certainly. Good luck and let us know the long and short of it.
|
|
|
Post by prism_wolf on Apr 17, 2004 20:50:43 GMT -8
Tail breaks are no big deal. There are plenty of igs that go through this with out any problems. A partial break this low down the tail will be nothing for a vet to remove. It won't even require sutures. That is reserved for major tail amputations high up the tail. If sutures are used on the tail when the damage is this low there will be problems with the new tail growth.
As Tese said...soaking in Betadine (Equates Povidone Iodine) and applying neosporin will help keep infection at bay. Keep the cage cleaned well so the tail doesn't drag though funk.
The vet may also prescribe an oral antibiotic just to be on the safe side.
|
|
|
Post by Dudley on Apr 18, 2004 17:09:45 GMT -8
Ok, first I would like to apologize, I know it can be exasperating when a newbie to a hobby won't do it right. Taking him to the vet is not possible this week for two reasons, first I don't have more than 5 dollars to my name til Friday, second the only herp vet in town is out of town until The 27th of April. So, I'm pretty much out of luck with the vet. I decided to go ahead and try to clean it and bandage it. I was going to bring some Betadine from work, but our only bottle got used this past week and I didn't know the bottle was empty. I don't know if it is going to cause problems or not, but I used Hydrogen Peroxide to clean it, applied triple antibiotic, then I used some gauze and wrap that I had laying around from when I got in a fight with a racoon at work. Like I said I don't know how my make-shift method is going to affect the healing process, but it's all I can do until Friday when I get paid. Anyways, heres the poor little guy wondering what I just did to him.
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 18, 2004 18:37:44 GMT -8
You did what you could Clint, that's all that can be expected. I'm crossing my fingers for ya!
Keep us updated.
|
|
|
Post by Dudley on Apr 18, 2004 19:43:19 GMT -8
I'm having a problem keeping the bandage on his tail though, he seems to have no problem slipping it off. Would it hurt him if I used sport tape of some sort to hold the gauze in place?
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 19, 2004 4:17:51 GMT -8
Mind you, I can't guarantee it, but.....
I wouldn't think so. When I first got Thrasher she was tail whipping and made the very tip of her tail bleed. I used Neosporin and a bandaid and it healed just fine.
|
|
|
Post by Dudley on Apr 19, 2004 9:52:54 GMT -8
So, the adhesive didn't seem to hurt her when you took it off?
|
|
|
Post by Tesa on Apr 19, 2004 11:16:05 GMT -8
It didn't leave any sort of mark or irritation. The actual removal was no problem since they have tougher skin than we do...
|
|
|
Post by Dudley on Apr 19, 2004 21:08:17 GMT -8
OK, I tried the bandaid thing, which seemed to work longer than the wrap I initially used, but I don't think I had enough of the sticky stuff in contact with the skin. I'm gonna try it again tomorrow. He managed to out smart me to day and leaped about 7 feet horizontally out the door of his cage and into a pile of laundry, it took me forever to sort him out of that mess. I hope I can figure out how to make the taming process less stressful for him and myself so that he experiences no more injury.
Clint and dudley.
|
|