Uro Tail Problem

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 07:11 PM

Hi, this has been going on for a long time now, and I'm really getting worried. Zeus , my uro, has a tail problem. I don't know what it is, but when we got him we noticed that his tail was an unusual color (brown, like baked on scales). We waited until next shed, but it didn't come off. We've been putting shedding aid on it consistantly for about a month and a half, and its not working. When some of the scales do fall off, there is what appears to be damaged tissue underneath. The scales that come off on his tail are brown, sometimes having a almost black rim. When you touch his tail, he jerks away and turns around so you can't touch it. Even if it touches anything else, he'll jerk away from it. I'll try to get pictures, but my camara isnt too good.

amercnwmn · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 07:26 PM

Did you not find anything on that uro site? Hmm..maybe someone will have some info..If not, I would have a vet take a look at him ASAP

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 07:28 PM

I know, but I dont have a mode of transportation, or the money! My mom doesnt want to drive me, ither.

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 07:37 PM

Someone, please, i need some help....

amercnwmn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 07:56 PM

eesh...ok...It might take a bit to get a response...just check back this evening..
It almost sounds like scale rot..But I dont know enough about lizards to tell you..
Telefrag or Nicole may know..

wreckwriter · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 11:04 PM

How old is the lizard? On older uros the tail spikes tend to degrade. Uros are usually sensitive about having their tails touched.

First, quit putting that shed aid crap on it. Uros need DRY, not moist. Its not a snake or tropical lizard.

A couple questions:
What subrate is it on?
What do you feed it?
Does it have UVB light?

As far as your mother refusing to take it to the vet, my response to that would get me banned.

WW

amercnwmn · #7 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 11:27 PM

Thanks wreck!

I am at a loss with the desert variety..

**Havent seen u around much..nice to see you!**

wreckwriter · #8 (**permalink**) 04-19-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amercnwmn

Thanks wreck!

I am at a loss with the desert variety..
**Havent seen u around much..nice to see you!**

Uros are very delicate, they need, but rarely get, the exact right conditions. They're terrible for children or inexperienced herpers.

Thanks, just been taking a break

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #9 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:10 AM

The Pet Store gave us corn cob bedding, we feed it romane lettuce with a small amount of T-Rex Uromastyx dust, and yes, a desert UVB light.

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #10 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:12 AM

And if it helps, he eats without hesitation. He likes to runs around his cage a lot as well. I also forgot to say that he's less than a year old.

CruiserMaiden · #11 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:36 AM

Oh no... seriously did you go to that site I PMed you? you need to go... he can get impacted on the corncob, and lettuce has almost no nutritional value. The most recommended foods I've found are endive, escrole and dandilion greens mixed together and you can supplement that with other things, but not lettuce, and not spinach either. I just got my uro a few weeks ago... I hope your guy starts getting better. You really should check out that site, plenty of helpful stuff...

wreckwriter · #12 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze

The Pet Store gave us corn cob bedding, we feed it romane lettuce with a small amount of T-Rex Uromastyx dust, and yes, a desert UVB light.

Neither of these are adequate, likely your UVB is not either. You should do the research that's been suggested and more. Go join these groups:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Uromastyxlist/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/urozone2/

These folks specialize in uros. Like I told you, they're not simple pets. Your pet store doesn't know how to care for them either.

Shadrach · #13 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:22 AM

Yeah just as the others have said also what are his basking spot temps and cool side temps??

wreckwriter · #14 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:34 AM

Please post pics or give description of your set up. Need to know distance from light, cage material, cage top material etc. also need to know more about light. 7.0, 8.0? Is there a clear plastic cover in front of the bulb or is the bulb exposed? How are you heating? What temps?

As for feeding, start buying packaged salads, Dole brand or similar is decent, either "Spring Mix" or "Mixed Baby Greens". Comes in a bag, isn't expensive. Lettuce pretty much sucks, romaine better than iceberg but still needs more variety and nutrition. Got access to hibiscus plants? Their flowers and leaves are both decent.

Please join the groups I posted and ask there for best info.

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #15 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:40 AM

I'll try to get some decent pictures of it... Give me a few minutes...

CruiserMaiden · #16 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:43 AM

Wreck - I just got my uro about two weeks ago and I was feeding him spring mix but I joined a uro forum and everybody there jumped my case about how I needed to take all the spinach out of it, and to stop feeding him that and to offer escrole, endive, alfalfa sprouts and dandelion greens. They also suggested a mix of vegetable proteins to be offered once a week or so with green and red lentils, green and yellow split peas, sesame seeds, wheat berry and millet. Any of that sound bad? any of that sound good? I'm trying to get his diet right, I've got my temps stable (now if only he would quit running off with the thermometer sensor...)

The_Master_Of_Dance_Blaze · #17 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:45 AM

I hate this... My mother is yelling at me to get off the computer... I'll post them when I get home tomorrow... Some pics of the Zeus boy as well... Bye for now...