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Joined: Nov 22, 2004 Posts: 79 Location: Ludlow, KY
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:14 pm Post subject: nose rub
I was just curious if anyone has a suggestion about healing a nose rub? With all of the lizards I have had over the years my black and white tegu, Rufus is the first to have it. I've been putting triple antibiotic on it everyday, and as soon as it is healing up nice he will bust it open again. Any thoughts please let me know. I'll try posting some new pics as he has probably doubled in size since I got him from and Ron and Stella in November. Thanks, Zack
I can imagine with a herp that likes to dig so much like a tegu that nose rubs must be a problem
Let me first ask - how big a cage are you keeping him in? Similarly, how big is he? Is it a glass tank? If so, are all the sides clear or have you covered any over with paper/something else?
The reason I ask is that nose rubs often occur on the sides of cages as the animal attempts to escape. The most commonly occuring incidences are with animals like the water dragons that need large and secluded cages; if they are placed in enclosures that are too small and/or have too many "open" sides they will frequently rub their faces against the glass until their snouts are deformed as they try to get away. If you are replicating these conditions with your enclosure then this may be the reason for the problem, and it may be an idea to rectify this as soon as possible (sorry if you knew this already, I thought I would just mention it).
As for the treatment, I would seek the advice of a vet if you havent already done so. Ive not had experience with this kind of problem, but I think my treatment would involve removing any particulate substrate and replacing it with newspaper until the injury is healed. It may be a plan to remove most or all of the cage furniture as well, so that he doesnt rub on it - perhaps leave something that can be used as a hide, like a card box with a hold cut in it. Again though I wouldnt say this is a substitute for proper vetinary advice
Joined: Nov 22, 2004 Posts: 79 Location: Ludlow, KY
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:52 pm Post subject:
He is in a glass tank (75 gallon breeder) but three of the four sides are covered. I'm in the middle of finding a new vet as mine has moved. Not too many herp vets around. Like I said before it will heal up and then he breaks the scab off!
Joined: Dec 28, 2004 Posts: 253 Location: Miami, Fl
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 9:49 am Post subject:
I have never seen a tegu get a bose rub from a glass tank. I didn't even think it was possible. Have you asked Ron and Stella? they have a good reputation for dealing with their customers. What substrate do you use and how much of it? _________________ Bennett
beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange
I have never seen a tegu get a bose rub from a glass tank. I didn't even think it was possible. Have you asked Ron and Stella? they have a good reputation for dealing with their customers. What substrate do you use and how much of it?
I do agree that it would probably take quite a bit of effort, but I imagine that the nose of a youngster could take a battering if it frequently rubbed its nose on the sides of a tank My tegu will sometimes batter his doors with his nose and put a lot of force into it, but its not very frequent and hes not undergoing the growth rate of a youngster anymore, so perhaps its not such an issue.
Joined: Nov 06, 2004 Posts: 972269 Location: Central Maine
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject:
You stated it was an aquarium (75 gallon breeder). I'd assume you are using a metal screened top. When my tegus were younger I used a 55 gallon with a standard metal cover. One of my tegus, Tux, would climb up onto stuff and grab at the cover, sometimes walking on it upside down. He would also try lifting the cover, even after I attached locking clips. He never got nose rubs, but it could have happened. It's something to concider.
To allow it to heal you need to narrow down the cause and try to remove it as a causing factor. If it's a top causing the issue make sure he can't reach it.
For the meantime I would remove the substrate. Use some cheap white paper towels and make sure there is nothing else in there besides the hide and food/water dishes. This will not only help allow him to heal, but will help keep him from getting an infection. Once he is healed up go back to the cypress mulch.
Joined: Nov 22, 2004 Posts: 79 Location: Ludlow, KY
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject:
Thank you everyone for the quick responses. Today Rufus's cage will be emptied and we will see how that works. He probably won't be too happy with not being able to burrow but he should be alright! Anyways, thanks!
Joined: Dec 28, 2004 Posts: 253 Location: Miami, Fl
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject:
In a case like this you can take a bunch of newspaper and crumple it up into loose balls and throw them in. It will give him a place to hide and dig so to speak _________________ Bennett
beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange
Joined: Nov 06, 2004 Posts: 972269 Location: Central Maine
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:32 pm Post subject:
Indeed, Newspaper will work in a pinch, but I'd pay the extra and use crumpled paper towel because I have never felt safe with the ink in newspaper. That's just my personal preference though.
Joined: Dec 28, 2004 Posts: 253 Location: Miami, Fl
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:
some people do not like printed newspaper. I have heard it is possible to get unprinted newspaper as well. I would recommend butcher paper over paper towels so it doesn't flatten out so fast _________________ Bennett
beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 613 Location: The Netherlands
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:55 am Post subject:
The inc in newspapers is concidert healthy for herps over here as the inc has a desinfective quality to it.
So we use it whenever some animal is sick or whenever they are in quarentine when we just bought them.
Maybe something to concider _________________ 1.0.0 T.rufescens
0.1.0 T.merianae
1.0.0 Testudo horsfieldii
1.0.0 Stenodactylus sthenodactylus
0.0.1 Ceratophrys ornata
0.0.1 Geocholone elegans
0.0.1 Python regius
2.0.0 Mustela Putorius Furo
0.1.0 Bouvier des flandres
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