Something is wrong with Scooby's tail...HELP!

GeckoFanboy

Member
Elizabeth,

I hope you get this. Something is wrong with Scooby. His last shed was almost a week ago. At one point I saw him in the middle of the tank with the skin still wrapped around his tail, but I assumed he was finishing up his shed. Maybe I should have helped him. Anyway, I check on his moist hide every night, and moisten it if need be, and the other night I noticed some blood on the white moist paper towels. I picked him up and checked him over, and the only thing I noticed was some brighter orange (red?) on the top of his tail in the area where it connects to his body. He has not had anyone pull on his tail. I figured maybe he scratched his tail when shedding and that he'd be okay. Or maybe he had a really tought time pulling the skin off his tail this time. Then lastnight I found another red dot in the moist hide. Tonight I found him sitting in the middle of his tank, turned around and nibbling at his tail.

Another odd thing he's been doing lately is...he starts to climb into his moist hide, stops halfway in, lays down, and will stay there for hours sometimes with his butt, back legs and tail hanging out of it. It's kind of cute, but I just thought...why is he doing that? Maybe because of his tail issue he doesn't want to curl up.

Also, I changed paper towel brands recently and these new towels retain moisture longer...sometimes I don't have to moisten again the next night. Just sayin'...I don't know what's going on...

Here's a pic of his tail. Notice the redder spots...blood?

03200003_s.jpg
 

acpart

Active member
I don't see anything wrong with his tail. Geckos can have some color changes and these orange spots are well within the norm. Some geckos have very orange tails. He's fine.

Aliza
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
"Tonight I found him sitting in the middle of his tank, turned around and nibbling at his tail.

Another odd thing he's been doing lately is...he starts to climb into his moist hide, stops halfway in, lays down, and will stay there for hours sometimes with his butt, back legs and tail hanging out of it. It's kind of cute, but I just thought...why is he doing that? Maybe because of his tail issue he doesn't want to curl up.
Did this begin when you changed paper towel brands?
That's often called 'cryptic' basking. It's normal.


Also, I changed paper towel brands recently and these new towels retain moisture longer...sometimes I don't have to moisten again the next night. Just sayin'...I don't know what's going on...
What brand paper towels were you using?
Which brand do you use now?


Hi GeckoFanboy ~
* What you saw were probably blood spots on his paper towels. I can't imagine what else could be red. I don't see anything wrong with Scooby's tail either.
* Was Scooby's recent shed 100% complete?
* Were there ANY lasting wounds or ANY remnants of stuck shed near his vent?
* What are Scooby's current supplements? How often do you use those supplements on his bugs or worms?
 

GeckoFanboy

Member
Hey Elizabeth,

• For years I have been using Sparkle brand paper towel, but switched to Bounty because they're a little nicer at absorbing kitchen messes. I just recently bought some more sparkle, so maybe tonight I'll pull the Bounty towels out of his hide.

• Scooby's last shed was complete. He never has issues shedding. I ALWAYS check his moist hide EVERY night, and he gets fresh water EVERY night as well. He's been very healthy. Looks great!

• Okay, so I have to ask you, what is the best way to get a view of his vent? He will not let me flip him over, and he struggles like crazy no matter how I try to view his belly or vents.

• Over the last year I have found he LOVES to rubbed on top his head, the sides of his belly, and under his tail! I love my gecko!!!!

• Scooby's bugs are treated with and Reptivite and ReptiCalcium w/D3. I veered away from feeding his bugs supplements about two years back, and just made sure his bugs were eating a wide variety of good healthy food...collard greens,, dandelion greens, papaya, alfalfa sprouts, sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, kale, apples, blackberries, green beans. I found that ever since I dropped the Repashy Bug Supplements his shaking/quivering leg issues have stopped. He NEVER does that anymore.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
I'm sorry for my delay. Sometimes everything happens at once, including adjusting to a new laptop after 11 years!

• For years I have been using Sparkle brand paper towel, but switched to Bounty because they're a little nicer at absorbing kitchen messes. I just recently bought some more sparkle, so maybe tonight I'll pull the Bounty towels out of his hide.
Bounty paper towels are thicker than some. Several years ago I switched to Scott's Blue Shop paper towels for my crickets & geckos.

• Scooby's last shed was complete. He never has issues shedding. I ALWAYS check his moist hide EVERY night, and he gets fresh water EVERY night as well. He's been very healthy. Looks great!
That's excellent news!
Scooby's care & diet are top-notch!


• Okay, so I have to ask you, what is the best way to get a view of his vent? He will not let me flip him over, and he struggles like crazy no matter how I try to view his belly or vents.
*** Gently press Scooby's belly/undersides up against his glass enclosure. Take a look-see @ his vent through the glass.
*** Place your hand over his back with your fingers wrapped around his belly. Then lift him up. Gently stabilize his head with your index finger & thumb. Then look at his undersides.


• Over the last year I have found he LOVES to rubbed on top his head, the sides of his belly, and under his tail! I love my gecko!!!!
:cool: :love: :love:

Scooby's bugs are treated with [and] Reptivite and ReptiCalcium w/D3. I veered away from feeding his bugs supplements about two years back, and just made sure his bugs were eating a wide variety of good healthy food...collard greens,, dandelion greens, papaya, alfalfa sprouts, sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, kale, apples, blackberries, green beans. I found that ever since I dropped the Repashy Bug Supplements his shaking/quivering leg issues have stopped. He NEVER does that anymore.

I recommend lightly dusting Scooby's bugs with those exact Zoo Med supplements.
I also finely grind Zoo Med's Natural ADULT Bearded Dragon Food for the 24/7/365 dry diet my crickets eat.
Had you actually been feeding his bugs Zoo Med supplements + Repashy's Bug Supplements?
Thanks for sharing your permanent fix for Scooby's formerly quivering legs.
Scooby's bugs' exceptionally varied diet takes commitment. You've got what it takes!
 
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