Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My rescued uromastyx has been with me for over 2 years, and just recently (within the past few months), reached a point where she could be more independent. She used to only poop when she was not inside her cage (possibly from being in a cage for so long with her past owner who never cleaned it). I finally broke her of that habit, and was proud that she could go without daily handling sessions, so I let her relax on her own for a while. In a way, that was a mistake.

Yesterday I noticed that the dirt caked on her nose had not come off...it's very normal for her to get dirt on her nose from digging, but once under the basking light, it seems to just fall off. It reached my hand into her enclosure and gently touched the end of her nose. She thrashed back and forth a couple of times, and when she finished, I was horrified to find that the dirt came off, along with the skin and scales on the end of her nose! Upon further inspection, it wasn't actually dirt...it was a growth of some sort, which appears to be an infection from an injury sustained on her nose (I believe she sustained it from a sharp edge on the inside of a rock cave which has since been removed). Most likely, she hurt her nose, and then got dirt on it, which caused an infection. The vet will let us know for sure when she has her appointment on monday.

But the moral of the story is, this could have all been avoided if I had taken her out for a thourough inspection a couple of times a week, I would have noticed the injury before it could become infected, and by keeping it clean and treating it, I would have not had to deal with this. But since I decided to let her be for so long (I did feed her, clean her cage, and check temps daily, however...just no physical interaction with the lizard), I wouldn't have to treat a problem that shouldn't' have occurred.

infections can spread quickly, i would be hesitant to wait until monday for treatment or did he tell you things you could start doing now?
if i remember correctly, i think you are still in high school so telling you to skip school to camp out at his office is probably something your parent/s would not want us to tell you.

don't beat yourself up, you can inspect your lizards daily and still not catch things until they are full blown
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vonnie
***The first law of dietetics seems to be: if it tastes good, it's bad for you. — Issac Asimov ***

The earliest opening is on monday, so I scheduled that, and I'm treating the wound right now with a diluted solution of Betadine (spelling?). Plus I covered up her dirt temporarily until the wound is healed and there isn't any chance of causing more infection. Right now I'm just trying to keep any infection from spreading. Poor little lizard She's had a rough life. She's the one that got third degree burns on her back when her last owner tried to duct tape a heat lamp to the cage (oh...I wonder why that didn't work), and she's extremely fat...and seems unwilling to lose any of that weight. Otherwise she's very healthy considering the environment she came from.

I actually did skip school yesterday just to watch her and treat her. Today I have to go to school though

Thanks again!

well i am glad you got to skip school once this week

the betadine mixture should help alot. i just wanted to make sure you had something to do for her than just wait.
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vonnie
***The first law of dietetics seems to be: if it tastes good, it's bad for you. — Issac Asimov ***

I wish you both all the best!

This is a good reminder to all of us that even though many of our Uros like to be left alone, there is good reason for regular interaction.

Even with the cut on her nose, she is awfully lucky to have found you! Good job!

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

Ditto on the last message. Sounds like she landed in a great home w/ a very conscientious keeper! Good luck w/ the treatments.
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2.0.0 water dragons, 2.2 crested geckos, 0.0.3 turtles, 1.0.0 5-line skink, 2.0.0 anoles, 0.0.1 giant millipede, 1.0.0 uromastyx, 1.0.0 armadillo lizard, 1.0.0 veiled chameleon, 1.1.0 bearded dragons, 1.0.0 pictus gecko, 1.1.0 CA banded gecko, 1.0.0 Hondo, 1.1.0 corns, 1.0.0 ball python, 0.0.2 red-leg walking frogs, 1.0.0 dog, 1.1.0 cats, 0.1.0 wife, 2 SW tanks - 20H, 55

She is a very old, very fat, rescued uromastyx that has the scars to illustrate her rough life, and because of those reasons, I don't ever expect her to look or act like a normal uromastyx, but I try my best to make her as comfortable and happy as possible for the last years of her life (hopefully there are many last years ). It just upset me so much when this first happened the other day, because she's supposed to be an old lizard in her retirement home, and away from dealing with any pain or problems.

Good news though. She's still eating and pooping like a little pig, and she's taking to the treatment (cleaning of the wound) very well. Her vet appointment is on monday, and I'm hoping that she is going to be fine.

Mine was a rescue as well and he was down right vicious. Now he likes to sit on my knee and watch tv with me. It takes a while to get them used to people when all they have known is bad but you sound like you are doing well. Good luck!