One day, you suddenly notice your bearded dragon’s tail has turned a bit darker and appears to be a bit shriveled. Should you be worried? Yes.
If this is the scenario, then your bearded dragon just got tail rot, and it’s not to be taken lightly.
If things go wrong, you may even lose your bearded dragon for good. Yes, a bearded dragon can even die from tail rot. Just take a look around the online forums, and you’ll realize how horrific it is.
But good news! It’s completely curable. Your bearded dragon can 100% recover from tail rot if you take the necessary measures before things take a bad turn.
No, you don’t have to be a vet to do all that. Just knowing a few things will do. What are those things? You’ll find it all here in this single article.
What is Tail Rot in Bearded Dragon?
Tail rot is basically an infection in the tail of a bearded dragon. Usually, an injury to the tail causes such an infection.
As a result, the reptile can even lose its tail while suffering from other issues. However, sometimes the “Cutting the Tail off” can be prevented with early care.
The infection basically causes the tail to die out. It looks like the soul of the tail is escaping the body. The worst thing is, unlike other lizards, a bearded dragon cannot grow its tail back.
On top of that, the infection can spread from the tail to other parts of the dragon’s body. In some instances, tail rot is even known to have killed bearded dragons as it affects other organs like the heart or the lungs.
However, there’s a really good chance for your bearded dragon to recover if the tail rot is diagnosed early. Taking necessary measures can save your dragon’s life and its tail as well.
Tail rot is a serious condition for bearded dragons, but if you are more serious, then you can easily outrun it.
What Are the Reasons for Rotten Tails?
Well, the reasons are many. The main reason is infection. Bearded dragons can contract this infection in many ways that are often preventable just by being careful.
But before going for prevention and cure, it’s important to know what factors cause tail rot in bearded dragons. Here, I have discussed all the major and minor issues that result in tail rot. Let’s go through them one by one.
Physical Trauma
Physical injury is one of the most common reasons for tail rot in bearded dragons. It’s more common in the case of bearded dragons who live in cohabitation. Can you guess why?
Yes, they get into fights with other bearded dragons, which causes them injury, and the injury leads to infection, which results in tail rot.
Apart from tail rot, hazards in the enclosure, such as sharp rocks, heat lamps, and abrasive substrates like wood chips or sand, can cause physical damage to the reptile.
Similarly, rough handling and forceful interactions, like tail grabbing and accidental drops, can cause fatal damage to the bearded dragon.
Such trauma damages the protective barrier of the bearded dragon’s skin. As a consequence of this, an opening emerges. This opening allows opportunistic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, to invade.
These injuries also tear the blood vessels. The injured blood vessels reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the cells, resulting in accelerated tissue death (aka necrosis). Hence, the bacteria can easily take over the vulnerable body, causing tail rot.
Bacterial or Fungal Infection
Instances similar to physical trauma can open pathways for bacteria to enter the bearded dragon’s body. Untreated wounds from accidents, a dirty enclosure full of feces or rotting food residue, and high humidity or damp substrates can promote the growth of bacteria and harmful fungi.
As you know, bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Even if a tiny wound on your bearded dragon is untreated, these bacteria will colonize it and release enzymes that break down the tissue. As a result, inflammation and pus take over the body.
Similarly, fungal infections such as Fusarium, though rare, can kill cells of the tail if the fungi attack the reptile’s tail.
In short, a combination of an unchecked wound and a mismanaged enclosure can cause a severe infection in your pet reptile’s tail.
Retained Shed
Shedding is a routine procedure for a bearded dragon. An adult sheds every few months. Though it’s a healthy and necessary practice, certain factors can weaken the process.
Low humidity, dehydration, vitamin A deficiency, and genetic predisposition can cause retained shed. In other words, shedding can remain incomplete, and the skin the reptile is supposed to leave behind can stick to the body.
The old skin that retains and sticks to the tail acts like a tourniquet and compresses the blood vessels, eventually cutting off circulation.
This lack of circulation kills the cells as the cells no longer have access to oxygen. This necrosis spreads to adjacent cells, eventually causing a large portion of the tail to die. And what happens then? The tail starts to rot.
Recent Posts
Poor Habitat Condition
Substrate and humidity in the enclosure are central factors that determine the health of a bearded dragon. Improper substrates like sand, gravel, or walnut shells can trap moisture and bacteria.
They can also irritate the skin and lodge under the scales, eventually causing microtears. Such microtears can become infested with trapped bacteria.
A similar thing happens in the case of chronic exposure to waste. The bacteria infect microtears. However, the waste also raises ammonia levels.
Prolonged exposure to ammonia weakens the skin and scales. Pathogens then exploit these vulnerabilities and start killing the cells. Humidity set too high (above 60%) can give birth to these pathogens.
They usually start with the tail because it’s an easy target, and the tail begins to rot.
Circulatory Disruption
If the bearded dragon suffers from thrombosis, which we know as the formation of a blood clot, blood circulation can get hampered. As you know, blood delivers oxygen to cells, keeping them alive and active. But thrombosis can prevent this circulation, causing the cells to die.
In such scenarios, the blood flow fails to reach the tail first. As a result, the cells in the tail begin to die and eventually start to rot.
Nutritional Deficiency
Lack of nutrition, often caused by poor dietary habits, results in tail rot in bearded dragons.
Lack of calcium affects cell regeneration and hampers nerve function. As a result, calcium deficiency weakens the integrity of the skin. Vitamin A, on the other hand, helps with shedding.
Thus, a low level of it causes the skin to dry out, resulting in poor shedding. Finally, a deficiency of vitamin D3 weakens the bones and tissues of the skin. Consequently, the cells of the skin begin to die and rot.
Thermal Burns
This is one of the rare reasons behind tail rot, but it happens. Heat sources, such as lights, are an essential part of a bearded dragon enclosure. If the light is not positioned properly, a dragon’s tail may come in contact with the light.
Contact with high heat can burn and kill the delicate cells of the dragon instantly, creating a dead zone in the tail prone to infection. This eventually causes the tail to rot.
Stress-Induced Immune Suppression
This is one of the most overlooked factors when dealing with tail rot.
Overcrowding, loud noises, or frequent handling can cause excessive secretion of stress hormones like cortisol. Cortisol suppresses the production of white blood cells.
Eventually, it weakens the overall immune system. The weakened immune system cannot fight bacteria invading the tail. Thus, the tail begins to rot without any immune system to guard it.
What Are the Symptoms that Your Bearded Dragon is Suffering from Tail Rot?
Knowing the causes behind tail rot will help you a lot in saving your pet reptile from infections. But it’s more important to be aware of what tail rot looks like in order to take necessary actions.
So, if you have a pet bearded dragon, you must know the key symptoms of tail rot. Tail rot is not self-healing, and it worsens over time. Thus, carelessness can mean the demise of your pet.
Let’s get into that for the time being.
Symptom 1: Discoloration of the tail
The tail of the bearded dragon, despite the breed, will turn black, dark brown, or deep purple. At first, it will be dark at the tip but will eventually start to darken along the sections.
However, temporary darkening of the skin is normal during the shedding period. You should be worried about discoloration that is persistent.
Symptom 2: Shriveled and dry texture
The tail will start to become brittle, wrinkled, or mummified. The contrast with the healthy, fleshy base will be very vivid. The affected area will feel hard and crunchy.
This indicates dehydration that occurred in the dead skin that has started to rot.
Symptom 3: Foul Odor
If you find a rotten and pungent smell emanating from the tail of your bearded dragon even after thorough cleaning, it’s an indication that your reptile pet’s tail is rotting.
Anaerobic bacteria, such as Clostridium, infest necrotic tissues that are deprived of oxygen.
These microbes produce sulfurous compounds like hydrogen sulfide. And you know what hydrogen sulfide smells like.
Symptom 4: Swelling and redness at the base
Sometimes the skin of the tail may darken due to shedding. How can you know if it’s really shedding skin or if it’s rotting?
Well, if the skin is darkened because it’s rotting, then you’ll notice swollen, red, and inflamed spots at the point where the darkened and regular skin meet.
This area is where the immune system is fighting the infection, resulting in the accumulation of pus. This accumulation creates the swelling you see as the symptom.
Symptom 5: Change in Behavior
Lethargy, loss of appetite, and sensitivity in the tail are common symptoms for many diseases. Tail rot is one of them.
Basically, the pain receptors in healthy tissue near the necrotic area trigger discomfort. In addition, systemic infection can cause a loss of appetite, overall leading to lethargy.
Symptom 6: Loss of tail function
You’ll notice that the tail of your bearded dragon has darkened and become unresponsive. Usually, the dragon uses its tail for balance or communication. But when it starts to rot and the cells die, it can’t move the tail anymore.
Though these symptoms more or less certainly indicate tail rot, it’s always wise to take your pet to a vet when you are in doubt. A vet may conduct an X-ray or swab the area to diagnose the issue.
But when to take it to the vet? When you notice,
- Spreading blackened tissue
- Foul smell coming from tail
- Pus in tail area
- Loss of appetite and lethargy
However, in many cases, especially if it’s your first time owning a bearded dragon, you may mistake skin shedding for tail rot because, in both cases, the skin darkens a bit.
Skin shedding is completely normal, while tail rot is not. So, it’s important to know the differences.
Here’s a quick overview of it,
| Texture | Texture Flaky, soft skin underneath | Dry, brittle, or "crunchy" |
|---|---|---|
| Odor | None | Foul, rotten smell |
| Progression | Resolves in days | Worsens; spreads upward |
| Response to Care | Improves with soaking | Requires vet treatment (antibiotics/surgery) |
Now you should have a clear idea about when to worry about and when not to!
How to Cure Tail Rot of Bearded Dragon?
Early treatment can save your reptile pet’s life and even its tail. But you have to be careful and respond quickly to the symptoms mentioned above.
Yes, it’s recommended to take your pet to the vet in case of tail rot. But you can take care of some basic remedies at home as well.
Immediate Home Remedies
The first thing to do when you notice your reptile pet’s tail rot is to take care of some basics.
Yes, going to the vet is ideal, but if the appointment is going to take a while, make sure to take care of your pet at home in the meantime.
Here’s a basic home remedy to help your bearded dragon with tail rot.
Take a bowl of lukewarm water and mix Betadine (aka povidone-iodine) in it. Keep mixing until it resembles weak tea.
Once the solution is ready, soak only the tail or the rotten part. Don’t put the entire body in it. You should ideally soak the tail for about 5 to 15 minutes a day. But if your dragon resists, opt for shorter sessions. It’ll work just as well.
After the soaking is done, take a soft cloth or a paper towel and pat the tail dry very gently. Once the tail is dry, apply Neosporin Original to disinfect the area. You can use unfiltered raw honey as a substitute as well.
A bit of a warning: Never use any pain relievers. They can just harm the tail rot more.
Veterinary Treatments
The next thing you need to do is take your pet to a vet as soon as possible. Delaying a vet visit can risk sepsis, systemic infection, or even death for your pet.
But if a vet visit is somewhat inconvenient for you, you can wait for about 48 to 72 hours after trying home remedies. However, if nothing changes after this duration, it means the home remedies failed, and you have to run to the vet ASAP. Don’t take the risk. Get in touch with a vet ASAP.
A vet will prescribe different medications depending on the intensity of the situation. They may prescribe oral or injectable antibiotics such as enrofloxacin for bacterial infections.
In the most critical cases or situations where necrosis spreads uncontrollably, the vet may recommend amputation of the rotten tail.
Don’t worry; this amputation is performed under anesthesia, and your pet doesn’t feel a thing. The vet will prescribe pain relief as well to help your pet with recovery.
Yes, losing the tail is tragic, but not as tragic as death. So, don’t hesitate to take your vet’s opinion seriously.
Post-Treatment Care
There are a few things you still need to take care of after you bring your reptile pet back home to avoid further risks.
Firstly, closely look out for spreading discoloration (blue/black), dryness, or further swelling. If you notice that these symptoms are still persistent, the chances are that the necrosis hasn’t stopped and the rotting is still continuing.
Contact your vet immediately if this is the case.
However, after the necrosis or the rotten tail falls off, apply Neosporin or raw honey to the exposed area for a few days. Do not use bandages on the wound. Bandaging always poses the risk of ingestion and trapping bacteria.
Most importantly, let it rest for a few days. Minimize handling and provide your introverted pet with proper hides. Offer food in a routine manner. This will reduce its stress and help with healing.
How to Prevent the Tail Rot of Bearded Dragon?
Now you know about curing bearded dragon tail rot. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to give it its old life back as well. But if not, you could lose your pet.
So, why take the risk?
You can prevent your bearded dragon from tail rot with a few simple precautions. Let’s explore them now.
Assist in their Shedding
Incomplete shedding can restrict blood flow to the tail and lead to necrosis. However, shedding is a routine process. It means you’ll find your reptile pet shedding every few months. In those instances, assist your pet in the shedding process.
Soak your dragon in 85 to 90°F water for about 2 to 3 times a week during shedding. This will soften their skin, helping them shed easily.
Prevent Injuries
As you now know, tail injuries from bites and trauma are common causes of tail rot. So, it’s important to make sure these injuries don’t occur.
The first thing you can do is prevent cohabitation. Don’t house more than one bearded dragon within the same enclosure. Bearded dragons tend to be somewhat territorial, and they can get violent when another dragon enters their personal space.
This fighting can cause injury to the tail, which can lead to tail rot.
Certain decorative items, such as sharp rocks, branches, and abrasive surfaces, can cause injuries to the tail or other body parts.
In short, they can cause injuries that range from minor to severe. So, instead of using such items, opt for smooth rocks, PVC hides, and reptile hammocks instead.
Also, be very careful with handling the reptile. Make sure to always support the tail and body. Accidental drops can create a lot of damage.
Husbandry Adjustments
Your pet’s habitat determines their health condition. And reptiles like bearded dragons demand some nuanced and specific treatments that they cannot do without. Make sure to take care of those adjustments to help your pet stay healthy.
For starters, the basking spot should be kept within 95 to 110°F for juveniles and 95 to 105°F for adults. On the other hand, the cool zone should be around 75 to 85°F on average.
Using UVB lighting is a must. T5 UVB tubes are highly recommended. If you are not sure which one to get, both Arcadia Pro T5 12% and Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 are really good options.
Mount the UVB light under the screen keeping in mind that it’ll have 10 to 12 hours of exposure every day. Most importantly, replace the bulbs every 6 to 12 months.
Another important part is humidity. Keep the humidity within 30 to 40%. Adjust the placement of the water bowl to increase or decrease the humidity as per your need. You can get the measurement from a digital hygrometer.
Diet and Supplements
Proper dietary practice helps your bearded dragon stay healthy and strong. Supplements are necessary along with a proper diet as well.
In case the UVB is optimal, you may need to dust the insects with calcium without D3 before feeding them to the reptile (use calcium with D3 if the UVB is uncertain). It’s best to serve this dish 4 times a week for juveniles and 3 times a week for adults.
To fight vitamin deficiency, you can offer multivitamins such as Repashy Calcium Plus or ZooMed Reptivite with D3 once or twice a week to your bearded dragon.
Apart from these, offer calcium-rich greens like collard greens and dandelion. Gut-loaded insects like crickets and dubia roaches are healthy options as well.
In this case, it is important to remember that you should never leave uneaten and live crickets in the enclosure as it always poses the risk of bites and consequently causing microtears.
Consistent Care
Nothing beats consistent maintenance. Consistent care basically includes offering routine-wise consistent treatment to your pet.
Firstly, make sure to clean the enclosure every day. This just includes wiping out any water spot on the glass and removing all sort of left overs such as uneaten food, shed skin, and feces.
However, you must disinfect the enclosure once a week with a reptile-safe cleaner such as F10SC veterinary cleaner. Or you can just use a 50/50 vinegar-water solution as well. It works just as fine.
As for the substrate, replace the paper towel twice or thrice a week. If you are using reusable tiles and liners, make sure to wash those weekly.
Most importantly, keep your reptile pet under monitoring. Weekly check its tail to see if there’s any irregularity. In addition, don’t forget to give your vet a visit at least once a year for a regular checkup.
FAQ
My Last Two Cents
We know you always try to ensure the best for your reptile pet. But it’s not always possible, mostly because you often don’t know what to do.
Tail rot is one such condition in bearded dragons that can pose a life-threatening risk. It can cause a great deal of pain to your pet. But with proper care, you can save your pet from such situations.
If you checked out all the points of this article, you now know how to identify tail rot, how to cure it, and how to prevent it from happening. It won’t make you a vet, but it surely will help you save your bearded dragon from the pain of tail rot.
