Problem with Argus tail whipping

[amon]

I just ran into a big problem:

I follow the ProExotic's method of using a stack of wooden hides for my Augus baby.

But this morning when I fed it, it got more nurvious/agitated then usual and did some major tail whipping. Then I noticed a big wound at about the last 3/4 inch of it tail, almost broken the last piece off.

I just put some triple-antibiotic oniment on it and wrap the last 3 inches of its tail.

Any suggestion of what I can do?

And how to avoid this problem in the future?

Tks.

[daniel1983]

The problem is that the monitor is a baby and afraid. It is tail whipping as a defence. I would suggest leaving it alone except for feeding time.

What are you feeding it? Was it whipping at the food item or you? Do you handle the monitor? How is the cage setup? What size is the enclosure? Are you using soil substrate?What would you suppose the monitor injured it's tail on?

On the Rete's stack, are there any sharp edges?

The more details the better people can help you.

As far as the treatment of the tail wound....I use 3M Tegaderm transparent bandages when tail injuries occur. They are clear so you can monitor the wound, seal well to hold in medication, and stand up a bit better than other bandages. Rinse the wound with sterile water, dry it off, apply medication, then put the bandage on. Repeat the process every other day.

If the gash is deep enough to reach the bone, I would suggest a vet visit. If the bone is penetrated and exposed to conditions in the wound, antibiotics should be given to prevent an infection in the bone system.

[amon]

Thanks Daniel,

1. I try not to interfere with it at all except feeding time. Only grab it with my hands less than 10 times since its arrival more than a month ago. Of course when it first arrive, it was edgy, but then it gradually calms down in a couple wks, only hiss at me when I get close to the box. But I went on a trip and took the whole box to someone else place to feed him. Maybe they put in a place where the whole family walk pass often (I’m only guessing), I notice it got more edgy since I got it back and gave me more frantic tail whipping and hissing and even try to bite me when I do the daily feeding.

2. Mainly feeding crickets, it wouldn’t eat superworm, but it ate one tiny pinky a few days ago.

3. It was definitely whipping at me, not the food.

4. I only handle it when very very necessary, like yesterday when I took care of the wound.

5. I’m using a simple storage plastic box for now, 21” x 14” x 13”(tall). Only opening on top with wire mesh. This is the best way I can keep warm through the winter, then it will be moved to the outside in the summer.

6. about 2” soil substrate, water bowl on one corner, the wooden stack on the opposite corner, with heat pad under the soil at the stack side and basking lamp on top of the stack. (I made a foam stack yesterday to replace the wooden one, but yet to see it climb on it, just moved it a bit)

7. the wooden stack I used of course has sharp edges and I’m sure it injured its tail while whipping at me and hit the wooden stack.

Thanks again for any insight on the problem.

[daniel1983]

Sounds like it got really stressed out from all the moving around.

I would try to offer more pinky mice....chopped up f/t pinks should do the trick.

That enclosure is also very small for a baby argus. What do you have planned for the future?

I would get rid of the wire mesh top and replace it with plexi(or put aluminum foil over the mesh to keep heat and humidity from escaping. A heat lamp + wire mesh top = beef jerky making machine. You are loosing all your heat and humidity out the top.

I would ditch the heat pad and watch out with the foam around the lamp. Most foam products are flamable. The heat pad will most likely create hot spots and cause the risk of burning the monitor. With a enclosed top and a lamp you should not need the extra heat anyway.

Wooden stacks work fine for smaller monitors; however, the method is mainly used for small rock dwelling species. I round the edges of my stacks off slightly with a sander and it usually drops the risk of injury. As quick as the argus is going to grow, I would start researching a few other ways that are appropriate for argus to hide....they love to dig