Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First I need to state that I feel like an A$$! I have two young female dragons, 11 weeks and 15 weeks. My younger dragon (you may have read some earlier posts) grew faster than my older. They have always gotten along well. Today I found my smaller dragon with a bite to the back foot and her front foot. There is not much broken skin but she is reluctant to use her front foot. My friend is a vet and we are going to put her on antibiotics (Baytril) and watch her closely. Any more advice? We are going to get a compound pharmacy make a liquid so I can give it orally because she is so small I think the injections would make her very sore.

She is already in her own setup now...I'm off to buy a new uvb for her. BTW...she did eat several silkies just now so at least her appetite is good.

This just confirms alot of these posts about dragons being kept together...you just never know when they might decide to become agressive towards each other. It's been a lesson learned that will not be repeated!!!

marilee
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0.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae & Artimis)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
1.1 Hamsters
1.2 Horses (Joey, Joi & Crystal)
0.2 Beta Fish

Well I would first (if you havnt already) remove her into an isolated container with newspaper/shelf liner/paper towel. Clean the wound with some hydrogen peroxide, and put some Nolvasan on it. Good idea on the antibiotics, but dont go overkill. Sometimes they heal just as well by themselves. If it does get worse, get it checked out by a certified vet.

Good Luck

David
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KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

Email

yep...she's in her own tank now (on newspaper). I am off to the store to buy her lights. She seems to be pretty alert but I'm just worried about that front leg. She can use it if she wants to but keeps it tucked under or held out to the side a little. Thanks for your advice!

marilee
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0.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae & Artimis)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
1.1 Hamsters
1.2 Horses (Joey, Joi & Crystal)
0.2 Beta Fish

baytril sounds like overkill to me, neosporin is more like it unless it is really a bad bite and even then I would be hesitant. Baytril is ok for URI and the like but vets are still tring to determine the best way to administer it.

I would be more concerned about bone damage than infection. if she does not walk on it tomorrow, you might considder an xray. even if it is broket, other than a splint or taping it to her body there is not much to do. the concern is to set it if needed.

good luck
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

You really think so? Part of me agrees with you but the other part of me thinks that if I can prevent infection that it would be worth it. She's only 15 weeks and 9 3/4", if she gets a bad infection she might not be able to fight it being so small.

Now that I'm back from shopping for her new home...her eyes seem very puffy. She is moving that leg and foot a little bit it is a little swollen.

marilee
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0.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae & Artimis)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
1.1 Hamsters
1.2 Horses (Joey, Joi & Crystal)
0.2 Beta Fish

I would be careful regarding neosporin and possibly nolvasan?. A gentleman I know of who keeps a lot of herps took an animal of his to the vet after applying some neosporin to a wound. The vet told him that reptiles do not process petroleum like humans do (I believe neosporin is petroleum based though I don't have a tube at home right now to check). Basically the vet said that it is not a good idea and that there are better alternatives (of course they escape me now).

Please understand this is only second hand and this is what I remember of the story. I have not used neosporin and the like on my own reptiles. But in case there is any truth to it you may want to look into it further before you treat your animal(s) with neosporin/nolvasan.

Good luck,

Ian

Nolvasan isnt based on petroleum, but is made for herps, but used abroad in the animal industry, with horses etc. It is also a great cleaning solution when diluted. It is more of an antiobiotic cream.

Thanks for the info on Neosporin.
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KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

Email

np

my vet has had me use it before with never as much as a passing thought. Type in neosporin and reptile in a google search and you will find nothing but praise from everyone (even Cheri).

Nolvasan when diluted 30:1 is safe and is recomended by vets and experts. it can even be used to bathe BDs.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

Douglas Mader, MS., DVM
Author of Reptile Medicine and Surgery, which is the handbook use in many Vet school for the course offered by the same name. This course is also offered in some as an elective that others besides registered full time students can attend. I figure if we can not trust his word, there is no one out there we can.

The most common used antibacterial cremes are Polysporin, Neosporin, Nolvasan, Betadin, Sulfamylon, and Silvadene. Both Polysporin and Neosporin contains 10,000 *g of polymysinB/gm of ointment, which is a very potent antibacterial agent and has been used frequently and safely in reptile medicine

He does note that it should not be used internally or over very large area as it could be ingested in quanities that could be a problem.

He also advocates using Nolvasan for debriefing wounds or Reptiles and HUMANS that have reptile bites.
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www.reptilerooms.com

np

Sorry this happened

I am not so sure I would go the baytril route unless you see an infection problem.... you may create many more problems using the antibiotics. You said the skin is hardly broken and dragons are not like cat or dog bits that almost always infect. Usually cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, rinse, dry and put on some neosporin takes care of it.

My biggest concern with the swelling and her no wanting to use it much is that the bone is fractured, if that is the case it will probably swell a lot more by tomorrow and yuo might want to have it x-rayed.

Now, if your freind who is a vet feels there is an infection there, then that is different and Family Pharmancy on Webber and Beneva in Sarasota will make up the prescription for you.
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www.reptilerooms.com

np
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

she is using her foot a little more this evening. I work for a vet (who by the way does not do exotics) and I always think "bite wounds = infection", which is usually the issue with cats/dogs. Thanks for clearing that up for me CheriS. My friend who does do exotics is the one I called today and I think I was in a panic when I spoke with her. I think I'll keep a close eye on her for now. She has a new tank all to herself in another room close to us so we can all watch her closely. I'll also keep feeding her silkies for now so she does need to hunt down her food.

Thank you all for your advice and thanks to CheriS for "poppin' in"!

marilee
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0.2 Bearded Dragons (Dezirae & Artimis)
0.2 Dogs (Timex & Brady)
1.0 Sulcata (Speedy)
1.1 Hamsters
1.2 Horses (Joey, Joi & Crystal)
0.2 Beta Fish

Someone mentioned a cat bite and infection...
My 5 (almost 6) mth old BD got bit by my bad cat last night. The wounds don't look deep...2 on his belly, one on his arm and one on his back. The one on his back had pooled a little blood before I saw him and already dried. He also had some blood on the wound by his arm, but not much. He is walking and breathing fine. His reactions are normal. I haven't fed him yet (he'll get fed in am when I get home from work).
I called an ER reptile specialist vet who told me at the very least clean him with hydrogen peroxide, and so I did. (she also said he should get on antibiotics) Pressed his belly a little -not intentionally -while cleaning, and bled when pressed. But not coming out on it's own. He was on sand, but I have since placed paper over the sand (was going to be late for work). I will take it out when I get home.
He is acting normal, seems fine...but I am freaked out. Expensive to take him, esp this weekend; does he need to go? Should I do anything else?
Anyone have any advice? TY

...should I be worried about my cat? Do BD's have anything my cat might have gotten?

--p.s.
This is the kinda stuff that happens when you have to bring pets with you for the holidays.
My dad left the door open where I had the dragon in his own set up little room--despite my manymanymany reminders.