Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok. I work at a pet shop, and someone brought in a pair of young water dragons the other day that they didn't want anymore. They just dropped them off and left. Well, I finally got to take a look at them, and I realized that something is very VERY wrong with their mouths. The male's upper lip is nearly falling off (almost looks like he has half of a second mouth), with the nose completely rubbed raw and bloody (not bleeding, but red with a little dried blood around it). The female is not as bad. It wasn't bloody, but it seems rubbed down very far. Perhaps down as far as the males, but somewhat healed. What can I do to help these poor dragons? They are absolutlye GORGEOUS except for their mouths, and I feel very sorry for them. They were also quite hungry, as, disregarding the usual acclimation, I put crickets in with them as soon as I set them up (about two hours after they arrived), and they ate them more ravenously than any lizard I have ever seen. I have all the proper lights, and a proper setup...but I need to know how to address these terrible wounds. Thank you so much for any information you can provide.

Without seeing a pic its hard to tell what the actual problem is. Are these wounds swollen at all? These could be mouth abscesses or bite wounds . . . it certainly sounds like the husbandry of these animals wasn't stellar. I would suggest you get a vet to look at them, keep their habitat extremely clean, and feed them well in the meantime. Sorry I can't offer more help.
e

No, the wounds are not swollen. The male's just looks bloody, and it looks like the top row or two of scales has separated completely, and only held on by where it reconnects halfway down the mouth. The two seemed to get along great together the rest of the day in their new home, but in their past environment (though I don't know if I should even call in an environment), who knows. We do have a vet that comes into the store every week, though I'm not sure on what day (I'm kinda new). I'll find out if they can have the vet check the dragons, as I'm pretty sure the vet just checks the dogs normally. Right now, they are in a great setup and plenty of food (though being sure not to leave too many live crickets in there for long). I will try to get a pic, but no promises, as I'll have to borrow a digital camera from my brother (who I never see). Any advice though on how to keep the wounds clean or anything like that would be appreciated until I can find out about the vet. Thanks.

Try washing them with saline. Use a swab. I use neosporin on external wounds once they are "washed" although I'm not certain this is a common practice and there may well be a better external treatment. If this is mouth rot (which can occur in unclean habitats) the dragons will need antibiotics. Ask about the vet soon. Some work on reptiles, some don't.
Others here should have more advice . . . at least more expert.
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Trauma injuries to the nose and front of the jaw are extremely common in water dragons. They have a strong reputation for not recognizing the limits of glass and screen. The injuries can be permanently disfiguring but need not be life threatening. As with any injury you need to ward off possible infection but not treat so frequently and aggressively that you damage newly forming tissue. Polysporin or Betadine ointment can be used lightly once or twice daily or you can ask your vet for Silvadene ( 1% silver sulphadiazine).

Applying coloured tape or other visual marker at the animal's eye level around the tank can sometimes reduce the causitive behaviour.

T.B

Thanks. We actually blacked out 3 sides of the cage to hopefully prevent them from doing it too much more (the front is still opening). I highly doubt they will die (especially the female), but they will most certainly be horribly scarred for life. We have betadine on hand at the store, and I will start treatment for them tomorrow morning. Since the betadine must be applied to the mouth, should I be concerned about the dragon accidentally ingesting some of it? I've never done this before, as I've never had an animal get such bad nose rub, so I'm not aware of the effects...so I'm somewhat stupid on the subject. I will be sure not to apply it too often, though about how much would that be? Every day or two? Twice a week? Thanks again...this is all a great help!

You can gently dab or roll a cotton swab that has been dipped in Betadine over the area, the swab should be wet but not dripping. A small amount entering the mount is harmless but try not to let the Betadine actually drip or run into the mouth. You should make sure that you have the Betadine antiseptic solution and not the Betadine cleanser which also contains a soap. You can also find Betadine in ointment form. As for frequency, if there is no active sign of infection but there has been some recent bleeding I would suggest a once daily application for the next 5 days or so. Following that, if there is still no sign of infection (ie. inflammation, cheese-like accumulations) and the wound is starting to dry then reduce the treatment to every second day.

T.B

No problem. I'll check to see exactly what we have first thing tomorrow morning. I know we have swabs, so everything else should be all set. Thanks again!

I would think you have been quite accurate in diagnosing the problem as a 'bad nose rub'. You are most probably right as water dragons unlike iguanas (their close resembling cousins) needs a bigger enclosure to keep them happy. While you seem to mention on lighting and proper setup, the emphasis here is size of setup and yothis need to be addressed. For an adult water dragon (2 particularly) you will need a tank or terrarium of at least 4 feet (personally recommend 5 - 6 ft) for happy living. Should you notice the constant behaviour of the dragon rubbing against the enclosure (may it be tank or cage) then you need to increase the size (horizontally or vertically) accordingly until it is HAPPY! THIS IS THE COMMON PROBLEM WITH HUSBANDRY OF WATER DRAGONS THAT MANY HOBBYISTS ARE NOT AWARE OF and by the time they have puchased the dragons, it is too late and the poor creatures are confined to a living hell of self-mutilation until possibly DEATH.
Meanwhile, check with your vet for medical attention, those poor creatures may require stitches? for very severe deep wounds...or perhaps some form of cream / medication for external healing, and perhaps some oral intake of antibiotics to prevent infection of wounds. Based on your description, these creatures even if healed are probably scarred for life. I certainly hope they will be adopted soon by some good soul who understands water dragons as such 'bruised' animals have no place in a pet shop. Rather they need rehabilitation as they are not saleable anyway. Who will wants to buy a dragon with half a nose? Meanwhile, god bless you for being a kind soul to these poor beautiful creatures.