Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I take great care of my tegu, feeding cleaning, his habitat etc. As I've mentioned before, he always seemed overly dry. This is why I was constantly spraying down the cage (everyday). I have been neglecting to have him sit in water though, so I am obviously doing this twice a day. His feet are infected. Pretty much what has happened is that he has not shed correctly since I first got him, although I always checked it before and it looked fine. So his feet are kindof messed up, they have some bulges and some cracking...really sucks.... I am trying my best right now to apply antibiotics and cleaning it and trying to pick at his shed. Soaking has always not done much before which is why I neglected to do it for like a month. Obviously I was wrong. So what should I do? I was thinking about geting a razor blade and going about each toe and slightly cutting the top epidermis to release some tension. Is this a good idea? I am NOT taking him to a vet, I've had way to much bad experience with that. I hope he gets better, he's a fighter but still a baby....

Hi,

I would strongly advise against using any razor blade or other sharp object on any animal. Unless of course you are a trained professional? Either way, I have an alternative for you Try using some mineral oil, vegetable works too. Just apply it with a cotton swab or something; or simply put some in a bowl and dip his little feet in it. It should soften the dead skin and you should be able to then lightly rub it off with your fingers. It may even come off on it's own. Either way, oil is useful for this. I have used it on snakes and other reps when necessary for years. That's my two cents anyway... Best of luck!

Peace,
K

Sorry to hear about that!!! Try soaking him for at least 20 mins. everyday for about 10 days. Also, they have a shed-aid for reptiles and highly suggest picking up a bottle fast.

REgarding the razor blade? That would be okay, also long as you are cutting off dead skin only. Any fresh cuts into his flesh may cause more infection and irritation. Another thing is to apply iodine (10%). At this stage dilute it to 3 parts iodine to 1 part water. Usually it's a 50/50 mix. Apply to all the infected areas with a cloth or even q-tips works well. Also apply to the dead skin areas as well. This will cut down new infections setting in. Another thing is to ask about his diet?
What are you feeding him/her. Additionally, is it a red, B&W?

If a red she is not getting enough fruit or vitamin C in her diet. This helps promote healthy shedding. Actually it helps all species shed easier. This can be aided by using the San Diego Zoo diet if you are not already. Mix fruit (diced or finely chopped with her current food. A centrium (for people)vitamin mixed w/ 2 lbs of food also helps this cause.

Good luck

Greg

Its a Black and White. I think I will stick to water b/c the oil always makes a mess and causes things to cling to the skin. As of right now I am going to soak him again later today and just let him rest until tomorrow. I am applying neosporin on his cuts instead of iodine, I'm sure that they work similarly right? I feel bad im going to try my best for him to get well again. I have only been feeding him whole young mice. I have not gotten him to eat any vegetation, and I figure mice are more noutrishous (and besides he likes them better) that insects like crickets and king worms. What else can I feed him? I swear he touches nothing but mice, im going to try bananas I heard they like that. I would like to get him on ground turkey but thats not working.

Thanks,
MIke

Hi Mike! Jane (Jiffypop) is a pro and does offer some sound advice as well as K of Seattle. Mice are nutrious, however lack many minerals and vitamins tegus need. Vit. C is needed to help the shedding process as well and the fruit can be added to ground turkey. I know that we have fed our boiled chicken (sprinkled w/ supplements as well) to trigger their appetite and has worked wonders. This may help move him away from the total mice diet. The San Diego diet is awesome and most tegus do adjust to it in a few days, if they don't dive right into it. Neosporin has worked well for us too and I believe Jane has used A&D ointment or another substitue for diaper rash wit hgreat success. :0)

Greg

Hey Mike, so sorry to hear of your Tegu's misfortune. Here are a couple of suggestions. First, I would set the lizard up in a hospital tank. Clean paper substrate, such as paper towel, a clean hide box or half-log, a water dish and that's about it. Keep his temps up and mist him several times a day. Soaking once daily in a Betadine (povidone) solution that looks like weak tea should help (50/50 is too strong)...then apply neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment generously to the feet. I almost hate to admit this but I had trouble with a Red shedding one time. Someone that I trusted told me to apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline)very generously overnight and I took their advice. I was worried and pretty apprehensive but it worked!! A&D ointment works well too.

You really should look into finding a vet that you can trust. Eventually you are going to need one and trying to find one in a crisis is not fun. Try looking at www.herpvetconnection or the ARAV site. I wish you the best of luck with your Tegu.

I agree with Jane, move him to a hospital cage. You have to clean everything thoroughly every day with a mild bleach solution or use Virosan (Nolvasan) to spray everything down. Soak him in fairly hot water, you may even want to create a "sauna" of sorts by drilling side holes high up a rubbermaid container (clear only) and putting the top on for about 20 minutes. It creates a nice warm steam and should help with the dead skin. Carefully dry him off with some nice terry cloths as this sometimes help remove the old skin. Don't pull it off, just gently rub. Liberally apply one of the antibiotic ointments mentioned. You may have to clean the cage numerous times a day to keep from reinfecting the wounds. If this doesn't work quick, you will need to find a vet as the infection could turn systemic and he could perish.

regarding feeding him ground turkey, you could try cooking it if you havnt already tried. my b/w will not touch raw turkey,after three days of just giving him the sdz diet he would never give it a second look so now i cook it and he doesnt eat it right away but does after a little while. I blended several different fruits and added it to the mix although i added it when it was raw and cooking it probably destroys some of the vitamin so my next batch i will add the fruits and vits after cooking it. another way i get him to eat it is mix it with a little scrambled eggs (when it raw) although eggs are high in fat he eats the turkey which is better than eggs or mice without it. well i hope this helps and im sure with everyone elses advice he will get better. good luck.

.. because one day, your tegu will have a serious medical condition and you will HAVE to take him to a vet to save him. do some research and ask around. a trusted vet is a MUST when u have reptiles. good luck w/ your tegu. -k