Bruise on Chin

[Steamturtle]

So, I'm back with my Beardie, Tad Cooper. Two weeks ago our apartment burnt down, ANIMALS AND PEOPLE ARE OKAY, he is alive but the terrarium was not salvageable. Around here, there are no places that sell terrariums big enough for his long (28INCH) self, so I had to order one online. I got a terrarium from Zen Habitats, luckily they shipped out shortly after order and I will be getting it in tomorrow.

In that meantime, he was in a heated cat carrier rig, and then a large tupperware bin with heat and basking bulbs. Both the tub and the cat carrier were big enough for him to stretch out but that's about it. The tub did have a hide for him, and was tall enough he couldn't jump and hit the lights.

He was checked by a vet, is healthy (thankfully!) Eating normally and going to the bathroom like he should. But he is unsurprisingly unhappy with his current living arrangements, and most likely got the bruise pressing against the plastic sides. I have tried to have him out as often as I can, but unsurprisingly he is a bit stressed considering he lost most of his stuff, is now in a new place and in a tiny plastic tub compared to his old terrarium.

Does anyone have suggestions for what to do about the bruise, once he is transferred into the new terrarium? It will either be tomorrow or Saturday. Will it just go away naturally? I was able to save his "blankie" because it could be washed, should that help his transition into the new terrarium? It's all so abrupt, and I know he's upset, I just want to make this as easy on him as possible.

 

[KarrieRee]

Jeez its hard on people when things happen like this let alone animals -- please post a pic of the bruise so we can have Tracie and AHBD look at it --- he will adjust and I am so glad Randy from Zen got the tank out so quickly to you --- your dragon will like the tank believe me --- I have two of them and my dragons love them --- your dragon will adjust it just may take some time
Karrie

 

[Steamturtle]

Apologies for the late reply, work and then the new terrarium came in!

Here are pictures, the color is purplish/brownish; close to black but not quite. It isn't dirt as I have tried to clean it , and seems relatively sensitive.

 

[KarrieRee]

Please get rid of the red bulb---- colored bulbs hurt the dragons eyes and they can cause long term eye damage and they disrupt the sleep -- if your dragon needs heat at nite and the tank is falling below 65 at nite please get a CHE they produce heat NO light --- your dragon needs a bright white basking bulb --- please retake the pic so we can see it -
Karrie

 

[Steamturtle]

The red bulb was only being used out of necessity, again as stated with a basking bulb, and only during the daytime as the basking bulb wasn't enough on its own to maintain temperature(again I know it wasn't ideal, it was really crappy and it also wasn't permanent, but was better than him being crammed in a cat carrier with only heat no light) It was one borrowed from a friend, they didn't use anymore. Since I now have the terrarium, I was able to go out and purchase nice hood lights. Here is a better picture, me holding him still so he didn't run again:

 

[KarrieRee]

His chin almost looks like a burn - I need ahbd or Tracie to look-
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

Was he in his tank when the house was on fire? So sorry about the loss of your apparent, glad you all are ok though.

It's hard to tell for sure what it is. It could be a burn, it could also be a bruise/blister from him rubbing his face on the tote. Is it affecting his eating at all?
If not, i'd be inclined to just leave it be and make sure it's not getting worse. You can try applying a bit of raw unpasteurized honey to it. If it is a burn or other wound, it will help the healing process.

-Brandon

 

[Steamturtle]

Sorry for the late reply!

It isn't affecting his eating at all thank goodness. He was in the apartment during the fire, but thankfully came out unscathed. Took him to the vet two days after and was checked.

The mark did not appear until he was placed in the tote. However, it does appear he has started shedding as well, so it may have something to do with that. I will keep this updated to see what happens, he is getting daily baths right now until his shed is completely over because it appears to be sticking a bit.

He does seem to have calmed down now that he is in the new tank as well, so hopefully things continue to improve.