Kink

War Machine · 04-17-13, 04:16 PM

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?

stephanbakir · 04-17-13, 04:26 PM

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

murrindindi · 04-17-13, 04:55 PM

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 · 04-17-13, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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).

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 · 04-17-13, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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).

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 04-17-13, 08:06 PM

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 · 04-17-13, 08:12 PM

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 · 04-17-13, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 04-17-13, 08:40 PM

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 · 04-18-13, 12:10 AM

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 · 04-18-13, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 04-18-13, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 04-18-13, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

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