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Firstly it depends on the type of injury. Obviously, serious injuries should be seen by a reputable reptile veterinarian. If you don’t know of
one in your area, ask a fellow reptile owner or check out http://www.herpvetconnection.com . Not all reptile vets are on there so if you still don’t see a
Herp Vet that is close to you call up your local SPCA, Animal Shelter or a neighbouring animal vet and ask if they can recommend someone for you
to take your bearded dragon to see. We also have a listing on our site of 2 vets in the local area - Bolton and Toronto. Click here to see.
There are some injuries that can be dealt with at home. If your dragon lives alone, the odds of them sustaining an injury aren’t very high. If you
have more than one beardie living together you can expect that their may be a bite here and there when one dragon challenges another for top spot
in the enclosure.
To treat a minor wound you should first make sure the area you are working in is as sterile as possible. Always wear gloves, to protect yourself and
your Pogona Vitticeps when treating an injury.
Examine the affected area and try to assess the situation. If it is a deep wound you should call the vet and if they want to see him/her you should
protect the area for your trip to the vet with sterile gauze.
If it’s not a deep wound then you can begin by carefully removing any sand or debris from the area by flushing it gently with water or diluted iodine
solution. Be sure the water temperature isn’t too hot or too cold. Once the area is free of debris, carefully pat dry it. Then get a cotton swab and
swab some mildly diluted iodine (Betadine Solution) or hydrogen peroxide.
* Note if you use iodine solution protect your clothing and working area!!! This stains really bad.
Be generous with your solution of choice. Be sure the solution is not just on and in the wound but surrounding tissue as well. Once you have
finished applying the solution, let it dry.
Depending on the location of the wound and how serious you may perceive it, you can use liquid bandage on the affected area. Liquid bandage
also has an antiseptic, and will protect the wound from debris getting inside of it and keeping it as clean as possible. *ALL serious injuries should be
assessed and treated by a veterinarian.
The liquid bandage will either come off with your bearded dragons next shed or may peel off in pieces or in whole in a couple of weeks. DO NOT try
to pull the liquid bandage off! You can damage the scales underneath and also reopen the wound.
You must continue to monitor the injury for any future complications such as abscessation or systemic illness. If anything new develops or any
complications whatsoever - DON'T hesitate and get your Dragon to the vet.
You should never use any iodine, peroxide or liquid bandage on or near:
• the eyes
• the mouth
• the snout (nose)
• the cloaca (vent)
• the ear holes
If your dragon has sustained injuries in those regions they must see an expert for treatment.
Things you should have in your Bearded Dragon First Aid Kit:
• Latex or latex-free gloves
• Sterile cotton swabs
• Sterile gauze
• First Aid Tape
• Sterilized scissors
• Sterilized Tweezers
• Betadine Iodine Solution
• Peroxide (not the kind to dye your hair!)
• Liquid bandage with antiseptic
• Hand Sanitizer
• Paper towels
You can find all of this stuff in your local pharmacy/drug store in the first aid aisle. You may need to ask the pharmacist for the betadine iodine
solution.
You can sterilize the tweezers and scissors by boiling them in water for 5 minutes then shutting off the stove element. Let it cool to room
temperature. Once they are cooled, sanitize your hands with your hand sanitizer and take them out of the water and dry thoroughly. When they are
completely dried you can seal them in a resealable bag like a zip-lock. Make sure there is no air in the bag.
You hopefully will never need to use your kit. It is always good to be prepared just in case.
This page is not intended to replace the advice or visit of a licenced veterinarian specializing in Herp care.
one in your area, ask a fellow reptile owner or check out http://www.herpvetconnection.com . Not all reptile vets are on there so if you still don’t see a
Herp Vet that is close to you call up your local SPCA, Animal Shelter or a neighbouring animal vet and ask if they can recommend someone for you
to take your bearded dragon to see. We also have a listing on our site of 2 vets in the local area - Bolton and Toronto. Click here to see.
There are some injuries that can be dealt with at home. If your dragon lives alone, the odds of them sustaining an injury aren’t very high. If you
have more than one beardie living together you can expect that their may be a bite here and there when one dragon challenges another for top spot
in the enclosure.
To treat a minor wound you should first make sure the area you are working in is as sterile as possible. Always wear gloves, to protect yourself and
your Pogona Vitticeps when treating an injury.
Examine the affected area and try to assess the situation. If it is a deep wound you should call the vet and if they want to see him/her you should
protect the area for your trip to the vet with sterile gauze.
If it’s not a deep wound then you can begin by carefully removing any sand or debris from the area by flushing it gently with water or diluted iodine
solution. Be sure the water temperature isn’t too hot or too cold. Once the area is free of debris, carefully pat dry it. Then get a cotton swab and
swab some mildly diluted iodine (Betadine Solution) or hydrogen peroxide.
* Note if you use iodine solution protect your clothing and working area!!! This stains really bad.
Be generous with your solution of choice. Be sure the solution is not just on and in the wound but surrounding tissue as well. Once you have
finished applying the solution, let it dry.
Depending on the location of the wound and how serious you may perceive it, you can use liquid bandage on the affected area. Liquid bandage
also has an antiseptic, and will protect the wound from debris getting inside of it and keeping it as clean as possible. *ALL serious injuries should be
assessed and treated by a veterinarian.
The liquid bandage will either come off with your bearded dragons next shed or may peel off in pieces or in whole in a couple of weeks. DO NOT try
to pull the liquid bandage off! You can damage the scales underneath and also reopen the wound.
You must continue to monitor the injury for any future complications such as abscessation or systemic illness. If anything new develops or any
complications whatsoever - DON'T hesitate and get your Dragon to the vet.
You should never use any iodine, peroxide or liquid bandage on or near:
• the eyes
• the mouth
• the snout (nose)
• the cloaca (vent)
• the ear holes
If your dragon has sustained injuries in those regions they must see an expert for treatment.
Things you should have in your Bearded Dragon First Aid Kit:
• Latex or latex-free gloves
• Sterile cotton swabs
• Sterile gauze
• First Aid Tape
• Sterilized scissors
• Sterilized Tweezers
• Betadine Iodine Solution
• Peroxide (not the kind to dye your hair!)
• Liquid bandage with antiseptic
• Hand Sanitizer
• Paper towels
You can find all of this stuff in your local pharmacy/drug store in the first aid aisle. You may need to ask the pharmacist for the betadine iodine
solution.
You can sterilize the tweezers and scissors by boiling them in water for 5 minutes then shutting off the stove element. Let it cool to room
temperature. Once they are cooled, sanitize your hands with your hand sanitizer and take them out of the water and dry thoroughly. When they are
completely dried you can seal them in a resealable bag like a zip-lock. Make sure there is no air in the bag.
You hopefully will never need to use your kit. It is always good to be prepared just in case.
This page is not intended to replace the advice or visit of a licenced veterinarian specializing in Herp care.
Written by: Robin Moniz 2007
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