Lip Tear or Shedding?

[pogismom]

I looked through the forums and couldn't find one that fit exactly what I am now concerned about.

I have been giving Pogi his syringe meds since yesterday. I have been very careful not to put too much pressure on his mouth as I pry it open to squirt meds inside his mouth.

I noticed a tear on his lip a few hours after I had given him his meds and after I had given him a mist bath 30 minutes earlier. It was not visible to me prior. Here is a close up of the tear...no blood or any other evidence of trauma other than it looks like it was 'chipped'. He did eat about 4 crickets after I saw it so eating didn't seem to bother it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/by10oqqllaw0vym/close up lip.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j6d80vognfpmxkc/pogi lip.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8xh86uuhl3l9o30/pogi lip 2.JPG

He does have a follow up appt next Tuesday for the worms. But wanted to see if any one can tell me what this looks like and if there is something I should be doing for it.

Thank you!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there...looks like skin shed coming off in little strips....perfectly normal. Glad to hear he's eating some crix for you, too !

 

[pogismom]

Phew! Thank you! I thought I'd butchered his lip giving him meds! Talk about a heavy guilt complex!

I did inform one of the employees at the pet store about his bout with worms so they seek some care for the Beardies that he shared a tank with...hopefully anyone who has already adopted the others will be sure to do fecal tests on them.

I already know my next beardie will be from a reputable breeder at Repticom!

Thanks again!

 

[sirenique]

Looks like a shed to me, too Bones has knicked a scale before while exploring and there was blood so I feel like you would have seen that. If the site starts looking infected or if you see blood in that area, then I would be concerned. FYI if you haven't already bought some styptic powder, do so, because if little Pogi does get injured it's a great way to stop the bleeding!

 

[pogismom]

Thanks I actually do have some but it has hardened. Need to get more as my birds n piggies n bunny could use it too. Btw do you all have a list of general first aid items one should keep on hand for those emergencies?

 

[sirenique]

My go-to emergency kit includes:

- sterile gauze pads
- cotton swabs
- 1mL syringe
- 3mL syringe
- styptic powder
- a popsicle stick
- tweezers
- sports/medical tape
- hydrogen peroxide

This covers most of my beardie's basic issues, such as stopping bleeding, gavage if necessary, etc. The popsicle stick and tape is because my beardie Bones is really keen on climbing to the highest possible places and deciding that might be a great place to base jump from, and I'm scared one of these days he'll break his arm or something and I'll need to prop the limb before we go to the vet. Everything else usually qualifies, to me, as a take-him-to-the-vet-now emergency! I use the hydrogen peroxide to sterilize my sink before/after bathing Bones, and it works to sterilize tweezers or other equipment before I would need to use them (obviously it's not a good idea to apply peroxide directly to your beardie).

 

[pogismom]

Thank you!

 

[Tonja]

please do not use hydrogen peroxide on your beardie, I see it listed in your emergency kit. Peroxide can actually damage your beardies scales. use betadine mixed with water to look like weak tea and a triple antibiotic with no pain releivers in it. You can also use unpasteurized honey from a health food store mixed with a tiny bit of water to thin it. Unpasturized honey is antibacterial and antiviral in its properties.

 

[pogismom]

please do not use hydrogen peroxide on your beardie, I see it listed in your emergency kit. Peroxide can actually damage your beardies scales. use betadine mixed with water to look like weak tea and a triple antibiotic with no pain releivers in it. You can also use unpasteurized honey from a health food store mixed with a tiny bit of water to thin it. Unpasturized honey is antibacterial and antiviral in its properties.

Thank you for the heads up on this one Tonja! Will adjust my e-kit accordingly.

 

[AHBD]

I agree, the unpasteurized honey can be used on any wound and even be used directly in the eye and works very quickly. By the way, Sirenique had listed hydrogen peroxide only for cleaning sinks and equipment, not for actual use on her beardies.

 

[pogismom]

I agree, the unpasteurized honey can be used on any wound and even be used directly in the eye and works very quickly. By the way, Sirenique had listed hydrogen peroxide only for cleaning sinks and equipment, not for actual use on her beardies.

Thank you for clarifying that! I think I can pick up the unpasteurized honey from a local herbal shop we have.

 

[sirenique]

please do not use hydrogen peroxide on your beardie, I see it listed in your emergency kit. Peroxide can actually damage your beardies scales.

As another user pointed out it is listed in my emergency kit as a sterilization measure for the sink and tweezers/tools only. I specifically mentioned not using it directly on the animal. It is important to keep potentially infectious surfaces sterile when addressing medical emergencies. I also use it to sterilize the brush I use to scrub Bones in the bath, as brushes can retain bacteria and promote their growth over time. I also work with animals for a living and I keep things extra sterile to cut the chance of zoonotic transmissions between home and work. Just thought I'd add clarification again so people don't think I'm nuts =p

Excellent recommendation on the honey, by the way!!

 

[pogismom]

Thank you! I surely do not think you are nuts. I'm grateful for the reminder too that they need to treated in a sterile environment.

Just curious do you work in a vet office or humane shelter?

Again, thank you!