Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hopefully someone has been through this and has a solution. The last two times Bruce has gone through a shed, it has apparently been uncomfortable for him (itching I suppose-- he wouldn't answer when I asked ) as he would often scratch his chin on the rocks in his cage. So much so that as you can see from the picture below he rubbed it raw. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? Like I said, this is a new development -- only the past two sheds.

Secondly, if this happens again, can I use a human topical antibiotic, neosporin for example?

Many thanks in advance!

JR

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BRUCELIZARD.COM Curious? Thought So.

What kind of rocks was he doing this on? I'm just asking because that's what they do to remove shed. Maybe it was the kind of rock but I don't know since I haven't dealt with it myself. I don't see why you couldn't use something like a neosporin either.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)(Doug Dix)
0.0.1 Mali
0.0.1 Egyptian
0.1 Weimaraner

is the cut still there? just make sure the rock isn't jagged. my lizards all rub their faces and have never done that.

neosporin or its equivilent is fine as long as it is NOT the one with pain relief
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vonnie

***Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde ***

Thanks for the replies. As to the rock questions, they are all smooth surfaces-- no sharp edges. I think the problem was just the amount of rubbing against the rocks. At it's worst, he would literally rub against it for a full minute. Even a smooth rock, unfortunately, is going to cause some damage at that point.

Thanks again!

JR
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BRUCELIZARD.COM Curious? Thought So.

Just to throw out another possiblity, is there any way there's something else causing him to be itchy besides the shed? Maybe mites or something?
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Thought about that too, however the only time that he rubs against the rocks is during the shed. I would think if it was something else causing the problem it would be all the time instead of just during the shed.
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BRUCELIZARD.COM Curious? Thought So.

Ever had an itch that scratching it felt so good you scratched it raw? Could be something no more complex than that. Hope so, anyway.

I have one that doesn't have any problem shedding, but the other does. He has a tendancy to rub rocks and everything else. I asked the vet about it and Neosporin is fine, it will also soften the skin so it will shed easier. I've done it a couple times now and it definitely helps.
KENN
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**Kenn**