PLEASE HELP WITH CWD losing fingers!!!

Vivweaver · #1 06-01-2010, 07:07 PM

Please help out Chinese Water Dragon. He is one and a half, lives in a 55G vivarium, and when I saw him today, he was holding up his left arm. My wife and I noticed his fingers were black and only had a claw left on one. On the other arm, he is missing two other claws, and they are black.

The guy at Scales 'N Tales said this was common due to low humidity (Mine has been avg around 70%, and when he sheds, he doesn't shed properly. (He also hasn't sheded for quite some time). He is otherwise healthy. I fed some crickets today, and he had no problem eating them and hunting, but it's obvious that there's something wrong. Any suggestions on what ointment I can put on?

I'm going to the vet tomorrow, but the only vet in town seems to only care about add on sales, and probably won't give me the medicine needed before running the 'tests'. Thanks for the help! Also, this wouldnt be an issue, but we just paid out 600 in emergency surgery for our cat, so I'm short on money, and can only pay out around 100 before putting him down.

froggsong · #2 06-01-2010, 07:22 PM

That's unfortunate...

I'd think it might be some sort of infection if the toes are black. is there stuck shed around the toes cutting off circulation? A pic would be a great help to any of us who might have ideas to throw at you.

Nighsliv · #3 06-01-2010, 10:37 PM

I'm almost willing to bet money it's bad sheds, due to some reason or another, most common reason is humidity. I had the same thing happen to one of my gecko's, skin got caught around the tip of the toe and cut off circulation causing it to go black just before it falls off.
You might have to assist with shedding around toes and tail, and if it's a male keep an eye around the neck and crest. Easiest way to assist is to take a q-tip and dip it in water then just rub the area to work the moisture in and try to help getting the skin off.

LizardlinksUk · #4 06-02-2010, 11:12 AM

I'd have to agree and go along with the bad shed, do you have a bowl of water in the enclosure big enough for your water dragon to lie in. Mine spends a couple of hours a day just chilling in the water. You could try bathing your CWD in some tepid water and like nighsliv said rub it with a q - tip.