New rescue northern just arrived!

[DianaBlueTongue]

What a total sweetheart! Was in a little rougher shape then I had first thought but I just adore him/her! How can you not love that little bulldog underbite?! Although he/she looks kinda roughed up mostly it looks to be superficial stuff with maybe a very mild case of mbd in the back, but all in all seems to be quite healthy, alert, active and is super friendly Does anyone have any thoughts on sex before I give this cutie a name? Compared to my other two northerns this guy more closely resembles my female then male but I'm terrible at sexing by eye and I'm through with trying to sex by behavior. A vet trip is probably in order and will hopefully be able to be scheduled during my other rescue blues visit for next week, just to make sure everythings alright. Anyway, that's it, just wanted to share

[DianaBlueTongue]

Anyone have an idea on sex? Richard? Susan? I wanna have a good idea before I give the little guy a name

[Susann]

I am totally lousy with sexing Northerns. With a gun to my head, I'd maybe say female. But you should keep in mind I'm usually about 60% wrong when sexing Northerns.

[Ray Gurgui]

Female , it has a small vent opening. And its a cage climber, climbs up in the corner of the cage and gets stuck there,
that's why there is a dip in its back, not MBD.

[DianaBlueTongue]

Ya know, I was thinking the very thing about the dent cuz she's doing it right now and is in a pretty large quarantine tub. Thanks, Ray! Your like my bluey idol right now so that's awesome to here coming from you, I much prefer cage climber to mbd any day, much less possibility of internal damage and weak bones. I think that's where my other rescue blues dent came from too. Anyway, thanks!

[Richard.C]

Yep female and yes not mbd thats climbing kinkage probably from when it was young,northerns are probably the worst for getting that

Ray alot of people here in aus dont believe me when i say its kinkage from getting into awkward positions when climbing at sides,most thibk im crazy for saying that including a few folk that are respected keepers

[critterguy]

Funny thing is usually the males get that the worst. Mine has it a little bit. My female does not so far as I can tell. I have since moved them to shallow tanks where at least they cannot do the funny back bend.

[Richard.C]

Odd,im oppasite,mostly had it occur in young females

[saisaac]

Is it possible for similar behavior to cause tail kinks in animals with no other signs of MBD?

[Katrina]

Is it possible for similar behavior to cause tail kinks in animals with no other signs of MBD?

Similar behavior to cause tail kinks? You mean climbing the walls repeatedly?

From what I've seen, tail kinks are usually from birth. It isn't uncommon for blueys to be born with some kinks. I'm not sure how one would climb a wall and bend it's tail enough to cause kinks, they would need to spend a lot of time with four feet on the wall to bend the tail rather than the back (mine aren't nearly that agile or well balanced!).