I just noticed that the tip of my Australian wd (Zooki) tail is turning black. I am almost positive that it is not a broken tail. I'm going to make an appointment with a vet, but I was wondering if anybody can tell me what the heck is going on? I,m sorry to keep chiming in but after the Chinese Water Dragon died I don't want to become death for any lizard coming into my house. Thanks again everyone.

If only the tip of its tail is turning, could it be possible that he hasn't shed it properly? -if so try a long soak,. unshed skin, particularly in areas like the eyes and tail end, can cause a loss of blood supply resulting in that area becoming damaged.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

It's also possible that the tail tip has been damaged and is dying off. This may have occured when the dragons tail whipped up against something. Does it look like it is drying up? If the black appears to be traveling up the tail you need to get it to a vet asap.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

It could be tail rot.

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Here are my cuties

1.0.0 Dot= Peacock Day Gecko
1.0.0 Snapper= Black Roughneck Monitor
0.1.0 Star= Blue Tailed Monitor
1.0.0 Fireball= Red Tegu
0.1.0 Midnight= Black Tree Monitor
0.0.1 Ryu=Chinese Water Dragon
0.1.0 Fire Heart= Leopard Gecko

There is no such thing as too many reptiles (for me that is).

What is tail rot? Is it treatable?

We've got an appointment tomorrow with a vet recommended by Pets Inc. tomorrow. I'll feel much better when he's seen by the doctor.

Tail rot is treatable but only vets can treat it. Still, people don't know what causes tail rot.

__________________
Here are my cuties

1.0.0 Dot= Peacock Day Gecko
1.0.0 Snapper= Black Roughneck Monitor
0.1.0 Star= Blue Tailed Monitor
1.0.0 Fireball= Red Tegu
0.1.0 Midnight= Black Tree Monitor
0.0.1 Ryu=Chinese Water Dragon
0.1.0 Fire Heart= Leopard Gecko

There is no such thing as too many reptiles (for me that is).

Are you talking about dry gangrene? If so they know what causes it. There is an injury to the tail that becomes infected. If not treated the infection travels up the tail into the body of the animal.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Yeah, Merlin. That's what I ment. I was proably thinking about something else, my bad.

__________________
Here are my cuties

1.0.0 Dot= Peacock Day Gecko
1.0.0 Snapper= Black Roughneck Monitor
0.1.0 Star= Blue Tailed Monitor
1.0.0 Fireball= Red Tegu
0.1.0 Midnight= Black Tree Monitor
0.0.1 Ryu=Chinese Water Dragon
0.1.0 Fire Heart= Leopard Gecko

There is no such thing as too many reptiles (for me that is).

Hi!

Took the little guy to the vet this weekend. The vet said the black tip is not dead. He thinks this might be new growth, but we put a drop of red nail polish at the juncture to see if the black appears to be growing above the present boundary. He believes Zooki could have had tail damage & it's now growing back. He showed us how the black part is supple & not at all dried out. Other than the tail problem, he told us Zooki is in good condition, very alert & well nourished.

This makes us very happy. He's a wonderful little guy.

Hi!

Zooki is doing quite well. He eats like a pig. I think he looks like an egg with legs. His brother is still at the pet shop. We visit him at least twice a week when we go for more food.

Does anyone have helpful hints to help us make this guy accept handling? For a little guy he sure bites hard!