Nail ripped out?

[clearlyjoyful]

I don't know if this is really an ER issue, but it's definitely concerning. Today I got back from work to find Itchy was holding his foot weird and sort of twitching it. Upon closer inspection, I saw that his nail was missing, and there was just the "quick" left (is that what it's called on beardies, like dogs and cats?) The toe appears to be okay, it doesn't look like there's much of a wound, but it's obviously painful or at least bothersome to him. I put him in a bath and it must have stung because he started shaking his foot all over. Now he's sitting on his log with his back right foot (the foot where the incident has occurred) hoisted up with his torso.

What do I do? Should I be overly concerned or maybe some Neosporin will help? I've never had this issue before! Help!

 

[Esther19]

I am sorry this happened to your little one. I would watch the area closely for infection. If you have him on any kind of loose substrate, such as sand or walnut chips, please remove the substrate immediately and replace with newspaper or paper towels. The loose substrates are not advise for beardies, and with a sore foot, they could really irritate the wound.

I would bathe him twice a day in a betadine solution diluted to the color of weak tea. Please make sure he does not drink this. If he drinks from the bath, give him a regular bath first, so that he can drink.

I think it's okay to put Neosporin on it. Just make sure he doesn't lick it, or try to chew his foot. Perhaps another member can advise you better on the neosporin.

Let us know how he is doing!
esther

 

[clearlyjoyful]

Thanks for replying! He's not on a loose substrate, he's on slate tiles. I think his little toe must have gotten caught in between two of the tiles or something. I can't trust soaking it in the betadine solution, because he drinks like crazy when he's in the bath. Not just at first, but periodically throughout his baths. Could I try maybe rubbing it on the spot with a q-tip or something?

He doesn't seem to be too bothered by it anymore, just when it gets stuck in the water he kind of freaks out at first. I just wish he'd stop running around and rest it a little, lol. I hope someone else responds with more advice about Neosporin, though.

 

[Esther19]

Yes, I think some diluted betadine on a q-tip would work fine. And I do know that folks use Neosporin on stuff like this. Just can't remember if they bandage after, or not. Have you considered grouting in the tile to eliminate the cracks? If so, there are grout and sealer that are okay to use in beardie tanks. So glad to hear that he is improving.

 

[clearlyjoyful]

I have considered it, but I've mostly decided against it because getting it OUT to clean it would be a pain. I am thinking of getting the bigger tiles because he's just got, I think 3x6 tiles right now and I was thinking if I got bigger ones, there'd be fewer cracks and I could even grout those ones, and just not worry about it. I don't know, I haven't really decided yet. But I gotta do something, lol. Poor little turd.

 

[Esther19]

I have 40g breeder tanks. 2 18" tiles, trimmed, fit great. Lowe's cut them for free. The grouting and sealing is easy. Cleaning is a breeze. The only problem I have found is that it takes 2 people to move them. But I'm not a spring chicken any more.

 

[clearlyjoyful]

Really!? That's amazing. For some reason, I thought they only came in 12x12 at the largest. And the two people thing is no problem, that's what the boyfriend's for! I like this idea. Now to wait for the funds on payday...

 

[Esther19]

Let me know whan you're ready, and I'll look for the bottle of sealer and tell you the name. Great stuff, in a bottle with a brush attached.