Kink

[War Machine]

Hey guys,

So I've had nothing but great success with keeping my albigs, Until now.

When my Microstictus was smaller, he had this tendency to climb everything, walls, plants etc. So I named him Parker (peter). Well now he's pushing 3.5' and the weight is coming in, He managed to kink his tail. From what I assume is supporting his weight on it.

Attitude is still fine, eating 3 rats daily, hot, humid etc. He is the same monitor as always. Just a kink in his tail, about 10" from the tip. Is this a concern? A break? Any help is appreciated. I assume it will heal in time as the tail grows with him. But better safe then sorry right?

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMAG0004_zps3cce0a80.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VolcomDub/media/IMAG0004_zps3cce0a80.jpg.html)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMAG0006_zps83c24a76.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VolcomDub/media/IMAG0006_zps83c24a76.jpg.html)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMAG0007_zps060703a6.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VolcomDub/media/IMAG0007_zps060703a6.jpg.html)

[stephanbakir]

How's his temperament? Could it be from tail whipping?
It likely won't heal, but it won't likely hinder him either.

[murrindindi]

Hi, because of the sharpish angle of the kink I would say it`s broken, you need to watch the end portion, if it starts to shrivel it means the blood supply isn`t getting through (not to say that`s inevitable, it may remain healthy apart from the kink).

[smy_749]

Hi, because of the sharpish angle of the kink I would say it`s broken, you need to watch the end portion, if it starts to shrivel it means the blood supply isn`t getting through (not to say that`s inevitable, it may remain healthy apart from the kink).

If its broken, and you don't put it back into place, will it fuse back together crooked like a human bone? If so, can he just straighten it manually and put a finger brace on it or would it not last very long on him?

Oh, and nice monitor, not too often you see a 'fit' albigs with a thick tail lol

[War Machine]

Hi, because of the sharpish angle of the kink I would say it`s broken, you need to watch the end portion, if it starts to shrivel it means the blood supply isn`t getting through (not to say that`s inevitable, it may remain healthy apart from the kink).

He is the same monitor as always, rip your face off feeder. And he's coming around to the interaction. But No difference what so ever.

I can apply a bit of pressure to the tail end, body end, and actual kink, and it doesnt phase him, so perhaps its just aesthetic?

If its broken, and you don't put it back into place, will it fuse back together crooked like a human bone? If so, can he just straighten it manually and put a finger brace on it or would it not last very long on him?

Oh, and nice monitor, not too often you see a 'fit' albigs with a thick tail lol

A splint on him would last all of 5 seconds. He is never still, and always in contortionist form. And thank you, i've had him for 10 months or so now, growing like a weed, its unreal.

[smy_749]

What if you use some sort of cement/glue to keep a splint in place, like the ones they use to attach cameras in the wild ? Have you thought about a way to straighten it and hope for the best with healing? Would be a shame if it heals all crooked if all you needed to do was place it back :-/

Not a big deal, it would just drive me nuts to look at.
Best of luck

[DeadlyDesires]

i have the same thing with my monitor's tail end but its at the very end of it... mine doesn't seem to have any issues with it, wish you the best! maybe it gor stuck under a rock or something and he couldn't get out right?

[War Machine]

i have the same thing with my monitor's tail end but its at the very end of it... mine doesn't seem to have any issues with it, wish you the best! maybe it gor stuck under a rock or something and he couldn't get out right?

I'm most certain its from playing teeter totter on the tail. I don't keep any rocks or hazards like that in the enclosure, he has ample room to move around and dig around.

[stephanbakir]

Smy, no more advice from you. Lol.
He will be fine. Consider the kink a quirk he will be stuck with for life, male sure it doesn't get worse.

[Toothless]

I would just keep an eye on it. I don't think there's really a way to safely splint a lizards tail- not sure it would work anyways, and if it was even possible, should be done by a vet anyways.
If the bottom portion starts looking like the blood flow is compromised, the end may need to be ambutated, so just keep an eye out for that.
I don't have any experience with reptile vet care, but did volunteer at an animal hospital for a bit and took a vet tech course so do know the basics.
I'd say he'll most likely be fine though, his tail will just look a bit funny :). I'm sure there are plenty of monitors in the wild with broken tails that are doing just fine.

[smy_749]

Smy, no more advice from you. Lol.
He will be fine. Consider the kink a quirk he will be stuck with for life, male sure it doesn't get worse.

I didn't mean real cement or glue :P Just the stuff they use to attach tracking devices to lizards in wild (like the perenties in lizard kings) ....just sayinnnnn because it would bother me every time I see it crooked wondering if I could have straightened it out...

[Pirarucu]

I didn't mean real cement or glue :P Just the stuff they use to attach tracking devices to lizards in wild (like the perenties in lizard kings) ....just sayinnnnn because it would bother me every time I see it crooked wondering if I could have straightened it out...I think they used strips of Velcro... Regardless, there are materials that it could be splinted with in theory, but I would not try any of them. For one thing, if the monitor keeps standing on its tail, the cast would likely cause more breaks at the ends of the cast... I would consult a vet and maybe get an X-ray if you can, and see if it's actually broken or just dislocated. Ask if it could just be popped back into place, and if so, great. If not, I don't think it will cause any serious damage. Less damage than could be caused by trying to fix it on your own in any case.

[smy_749]

I think they used strips of Velcro... Regardless, there are materials that it could be splinted with in theory, but I would not try any of them. For one thing, if the monitor keeps standing on its tail, the cast would likely cause more breaks at the ends of the cast... I would consult a vet and maybe get an X-ray if you can, and see if it's actually broken or just dislocated. Ask if it could just be popped back into place, and if so, great. If not, I don't think it will cause any serious damage. Less damage than could be caused by trying to fix it on your own in any case.

How do they attach the velcro :P

[Toothless]

How do they attach the velcro :P
Usually they stick the pointy side of the velcro against the soft fluffy side :P.

[Mark Taylor]

Usually they stick the pointy side of the velcro against the soft fluffy side :P.

I nearly weed my pants reading that thanks.:laugh:

[murrindindi]

Hi again, you say you can apply a little pressure to the tail and it doesn`t bother the monitor, have you tried actually straightening the kink, if yes, does it move back in line easily? If it does, I think I would try putting a splint on it, you only need two pieces of very thin wood or semi flexible plastic on each side, kept in place with some masking tape (not too adhesive, but enough to hold it in place). My concern would be if the monitor causes more damage just by moving around the enclosure and the blood supply is interupted, it`s quite a significant portion to lose for a semi arborial species like this (you`ll never stop him trying to climb, even if you don`t put branches in there)!
I doubt very much the "break" was caused by him resting on the tail (tripoding), more likey either trapped it somewhere or possibly a tail whip?
If you`re willing to try a splint, do it before he`s warmed up, it might be a little easier.
I would not expect him to break another part simply because there was a splint in place, if the blood supply is getting through, the tail end should still be flexible.

[smy_749]

See I knew a splint was a good idea :-P Thanks murr they were ganging up on me baha

[murrindindi]

See I knew a splint was a good idea :-P Thanks murr they were ganging up on me baha

I think it will work, or at least it`s worth a try, and I`m not saying that just because they were ganging up on me now and again, and again. I must also say it`s a great relief to find they gang up on other people, too (I thank "them" for that most sincerely)....

[KORBIN5895]

I think it will work, or at least it`s worth a try, and I`m not saying that just because they were ganging up on me now and again, and again. I must also say it`s a great relief to find they gang up on other people, too (I thank "them" for that most sincerely)....

Pffft! It's not a party til I show up!;)

[Pirarucu]

Hi again, you say you can apply a little pressure to the tail and it doesn`t bother the monitor, have you tried actually straightening the kink, if yes, does it move back in line easily? If it does, I think I would try putting a splint on it, you only need two pieces of very thin wood or semi flexible plastic on each side, kept in place with some masking tape (not too adhesive, but enough to hold it in place). My concern would be if the monitor causes more damage just by moving around the enclosure and the blood supply is interupted, it`s quite a significant portion to lose for a semi arborial species like this (you`ll never stop him trying to climb, even if you don`t put branches in there)!
I doubt very much the "break" was caused by him resting on the tail (tripoding), more likey either trapped it somewhere or possibly a tail whip?
If you`re willing to try a splint, do it before he`s warmed up, it might be a little easier.
I would not expect him to break another part simply because there was a splint in place, if the blood supply is getting through, the tail end should still be flexible.I was wondering the same in regard to the possibility of a tail whip being the cause, it does seem unlikely that it would be from standing on it..
My concern with the splint is that if the monitor stood on its tail the splint could create a pressure point at the end, acting like a lever and possibly breaking the tail. If it were constructed properly this could be avoided.. Just don't use a solid splint. Use a material that will only restrict the tail to its normal range of motion, and will straighten back when it isn't being bent. Perhaps some sort of rubber?

[murrindindi]

I was wondering the same in regard to the possibility of a tail whip being the cause, it does seem unlikely that it would be from standing on it..
My concern with the splint is that if the monitor stood on its tail the splint could create a pressure point at the end, acting like a lever and possibly breaking the tail. If it were constructed properly this could be avoided.. Just don't use a solid splint. Use a material that will only restrict the tail to its normal range of motion, and will straighten back when it isn't being bent. Perhaps some sort of rubber?


I doubt if the monitor was tripoding there would be sufficient weight/pressure on the tail end to cause further damage, simply because the appendage is so flexible. Maybe a piece of semi rigid plastic will work better than wood, it will still allow some movement "fore and aft" but hopefully keep it straight at the break (as would a narrow strip of thickish rubber on each side), taped as I suggested, rather than glued. I think the sooner it`s tried the better. I don`t believe the monitor will try to remove it, though it is possible. One of my previous V. salvator`s broke a claw, and to try and stop the bleeding I put a tiny piece of band-aid on it (just the sticky part), the monitor immediately looked down and pulled it off, I was quite surprised to say the least, because it was so small, I think it shows just how "aware" they are of everything!

[War Machine]

I will try to straighten it out. And He is not much of a whipper, I really NEVER bug him, so I don't give him the opportunity too. There have been times where he has supported his weight on his tail, not a tri pod, more like two front feet on a wall, and rear legs free of weight.