Dead tail tip, should i get it removed?

[Hanahell]

it's been dead on the end for over 4 years and hasn't caused any problems. he sheds fine. the dead area hasn't increased or anything.
hes 9 now and i was just wondering if it's okay to leave it for the rest of his life since it hasn't caused problems, or go to vet to get it cut off.
i'll post a pic later if you want to look.
thx.

[infernalis]

Yes please a picture.

Here is why....

If the tip was truly "dead" gangrene and infection would have set in long ago OR it would have fell off already, Yes they fall off, I have found a number of wild snakes that had "nubby" tails.

If it is only paralyzed, nerve dead but still has blood flow, then leave it alone, it's hurting nothing.

[shaunyboy]

as said pictures please mate

i bought a hatchling with a dead tail tip,as wayne said,the dead part falls off,leaving a stubby tail

your snake may have scar tissue,that looks dead,but is still alive

if there was no blood flow to that area,then it would have rotted off by now mate

cheers shaun

[kernel]

Yea, I have a couple corns that a stuck shed constricted blood flow and the tip just fell off. I did have to put betadine on it, but that's no big deal.

[Hanahell]

i went to take a pic earlier to discover it has actually fallen off. typical that it was like that for years, but when i finnally go to take a pic it's gone.
the skin is now stubby with a bit of spine sticking out.
should i get that checked?
brb with pic

[infernalis]

just use betadine, silvadine or neosporin.

Those tail tips heal fine.

[shaunyboy]

i went to take a pic earlier to discover it has actually fallen off. typical that it was like that for years, but when i finnally go to take a pic it's gone.
the skin is now stubby with a bit of spine sticking out.
should i get that checked?
brb with pic


please take a picture of it mate

if its actual spine then a vet is needed

how ever its most likely NOT spine/bone

if theres NO raw looking area and no sign of blood then its fine

does it just look like a piece of string 3 or 4 mm long ?

cheers shaun

[Hanahell]

this is the best i could get without disturbing him too much. he just ate a mouse and has retreated to his hide.
Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting (http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2hf1fh4&s=5)
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2hf1fh4&s=5

[alessia55]

Can't see the photo.

[CDN_Blood]

just use betadine, silvadine or neosporin...

Is Neosporin safe for reptiles? Up here we only have Polysporin and I know it's safe because it doesn't contain any pain-killer type ingredient, but I know there is a similar product in the U.S. that does have that and it can cause serious problems (or worse). I'm not sure if it's Neosporin or not...

[Hanahell]

relinked the photo. you can see it now right?

[shaunyboy]

thats NOTHING to worry about mate

just keep an eye on it

make sure it doesn't get inflamed or start to weep any type of fluid

that said,it should just DRY up and shrivel off

cheers shaun

[alessia55]

relinked the photo. you can see it now right?

Yes, the link works. Thanks

[Hanahell]

thats NOTHING to worry about mate

just keep an eye on it

make sure it doesn't get inflamed or start to weep any type of fluid

that said,it should just DRY up and shrivel off

cheers shaun

thanx ^_^
i'll keep an eye on it

[shaunyboy]

thanx ^_^
i'll keep an eye on it

in the uk theres a reptile product called " tamodine " available

any correctly dilluted iodine soloution will do,if things start to look red and inflamed

i honestly think it looks clean and dry,but its hard to tell 100%,from a picture

cheers shaun

[kernel]

Yea, it looks fine. If it starts to weep, swell or seem infected, put betadine on it.

[Dakota314]

Is Neosporin safe for reptiles? Up here we only have Polysporin and I know it's safe because it doesn't contain any pain-killer type ingredient, but I know there is a similar product in the U.S. that does have that and it can cause serious problems (or worse). I'm not sure if it's Neosporin or not...

Yep, Neosparin without pain killer is safe. When my corn had a stuck shed on her tail tip and it fell off, I applied Neosporin twice a day and it healed very quickly. I wouldn't just keep an eye on it, because then it could become infected and then you need to spend more money on vet care. Prevention is the way to go IMO.

[millertime89]

here's the pic
http://oi42.tinypic.com/2hf1fh4.jpg

[Dakota314]

I would just apply Neosporin once or twice a day. It looks like he is on newpaper already right? If not, I would switch to newspaper to keep debris from getting in the wound until it heals.