Uromastyx Tail Rot Problem

[SmoothScales]

A friend of mine is flipping out right now because his Uromastyx has been diagnosed with tail rot by a general vet.

I told him he needs to find a vet with herp experience to see her, so if anyone can recommend one in Prunedale, CA I would appreciate it.

What he was told by the vet - dab the area with peroxide and apply a cream (Lamisil).

Does this sound like a correct course of treatment?

I know all of a big fat goose egg about uromastyx, so hoping someone here can give some educated recommendations.

[Kokorobosoi]

I don't recommend peroxide for any reptile at all. For snakes, bearded dragons and most geckos it cause more damage than it heals- it damages heathy tissue around the wound. So I would hold off on that.

A safer alternative would be betadine, diluted to a tea like colour. Don't put anything with pain relief on it at all, the chemicals in them are harmful.

I really am am not comfortable with that vets choice of treatment, and would recommend a second opinion with someone more reptile experienced.

Good luck!!

[SmoothScales]

I don't recommend peroxide for any reptile at all. For snakes, bearded dragons and most geckos it cause more damage than it heals- it damages heathy tissue around the wound. So I would hold off on that.

A safer alternative would be betadine, diluted to a tea like colour. Don't put anything with pain relief on it at all, the chemicals in them are harmful.

I really am am not comfortable with that vets choice of treatment, and would recommend a second opinion with someone more reptile experienced.

Good luck!!

Pretty much what I told him right after cursing at him to find a herp vet. Was hoping someone lived close enough to be able to recommend one, because I'm about 6 hours away so any I would suggest are quite a bit of a drive for him. If not, I'm going to have him check for listings close to him.

[Albert Clark]

Well, it sounds like the general vet is only putting a band aid treatment on a possibly serious issue. True, the physical inspection of the extent of the tail rot is the first stage, but real bloodwork needs to be done to isolate the offending bacteria and funguses present. Peroxide and Lamisil seems to be putting a band aid on the condition. I would think the general vet should've given a referral to a "herp" vet for follow up. The bacterial and fungal pathogens really need to be identified microscopically and through appropriate testing to eradicate the illness. The tail is a very important structure in reptiles.