Bearded dragon wound

Hello!

This is a follow up about a wound my bearded dragon had done to himself a while back. He has adenovirus, and his limited movement in his front legs caused him to scratch a cut into his chest area. It looks better after several betadine treatments and a successful shed, but it’s now open because he can’t help putting his claws right on the wound. He’s been pretty frantic lately, which I worry will make the cut worse (it’s about 3/4 of a cm right now). Can I put a bandaid on it to cover it up or something?

Thanks!

Okay so he was making it worse to the point where I needed to do something. I ended up saving the cut with betadine solution and putting bandaids is an X pattern over the wound to prevent him from making it worse. He seems to have calmed down immediately!

So now I’m wondering if I should replace the bandaids daily? Or maybe use a stronger form of cleaning as his claw penetrated the wound?

Thanks!

Update. His beard is very black now and he’s acting stressed. Could this be due to the bandaids being on him? Could they be hurting him or is it just stressful?

Can you post a photo of where the wound is? They don't usually like having bandages on them so that may cause him to try and remove it. They don't really understand it and just see it as a foreign object in the way. If you need a stronger way to keep a wound closed, perhaps a vet could provide stitches or you could use something stronger like zipstitch.

CooperDragon":1gqhcjpw said:

Can you post a photo of where the wound is? They don't usually like having bandages on them so that may cause him to try and remove it. They don't really understand it and just see it as a foreign object in the way. If you need a stronger way to keep a wound closed, perhaps a vet could provide stitches or you could use something stronger like zipstitch.

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I’m away from right now but the bandage stayed on well. He can’t really remove it as it is right between his shoulders and he has limited movement. He certainly doesn’t like having it on, but before he was running around and freaking out because when he walked his claws would go into the cut and make it worse. Putting the bandaid on him made him stop freaking out, but he did look a little pissed understandably. I don’t think the cut is big enough for stitches as well. Thank you for the help tho!

My main concern right now is if bandaids on a lizard could be harmful in anyway (besides annoying them). The last thing I want is for him to get injured more.

Thanks again!

OK I'm glad the bandaid is holding. He may try to scratch at it because he won't like it there as I mentioned but it's good to protect the wound. You can also use it to hold some plain neosporin or some raw/unpasteurized honey over the wound which should also help protect it from infection. The bandaid itself shouldn't cause any harm and will likely be beneficial.

I wonder if a liquid bandage might be an alternative if he can't/won't tolerate the bandage?

Aaradimian":2ymcgmxt said:

I wonder if a liquid bandage might be an alternative if he can't/won't tolerate the bandage?

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Maybe. I was considering that as well but I'm not certain how it would react on reptile skin or if it would be safe. It may wind up being a good alternative though if the bandaid doesn't wind up staying put.

Hi there, use a strip of gauze with medical tape. Put unpasteurized raw honey on the wound, just a dab. It will heal the wound quickly as you have it safely covered. I did that to my beardie's eye, he healed very quickly with his " pirate patch ."

Hello,

Do you happen to have a picture of the cut we could see, just so we can evaluate it?
Yeah, they normally don't care for things "wrapped or stuck onto" any part of their body
& will usually tork, twist or contort themselves to try & get themselves free of it! LOL
I hope the wound heals up soon. The honey as AHBD suggested should work very well.

Tracie

Drache613":1lays1kt said:

Hello,

Do you happen to have a picture of the cut we could see, just so we can evaluate it?
Yeah, they normally don't care for things "wrapped or stuck onto" any part of their body
& will usually tork, twist or contort themselves to try & get themselves free of it! LOL
I hope the wound heals up soon. The honey as AHBD suggested should work very well.

Tracie

Click to expand...

Hello! the bandaid stayed on well, which i have replaced since. When i replaced it it seemed to be starting to scab!! I replaced the bandaid and put on a new one with just some betadine on the pad of it, in an attempt to keep the wound bacteria free. I unfortunately do not have raw honey right now, but i think this is working out well. He has been wall running alot since i put in on tho, i assume this is due to him being irritated.