crackerjack got hurt :(

[taniya91]

so i got home from work today and made my way to check on all my guys and when i got to crackerjack it looked like he busted his mouth...he recently has been trying to climb his way out of his cage and falling over (in his cage, he hasnt been able to get out)...i think it has something-no a lot- to do with the girls ...i immediately called the vet office to get their answering machine and then i realized they wont even be open until tuesday because of a holiday

his upper "lip" is swollen and has one spot that looked to have a little dried blood and his side has a bruise... what appears to have happened is he was trying to climb out and fell over and either hit his water bowl or hid log

i have some left over antibiotics from when skully bit a chunk of her tongue off (it was topical and i didn't have to use all of it)...should i put that on his lip until i can get him to a vet on tuesday?

...i also moved him to a different room- COMPLETELY away from the girls and he hasn't tried his climbing stunt...im not sure if its because he is in pain :,( or if its because he cant see (smell?) them

[dsteamn]

If its not bleeding now and doesn't need stitches, you may be able to take care of it on your own. I use a peroxide/water solution when mine get cuts, I also wouldn't use anti-biotics unless it got infected. No need to use them if there is nothing there to treat. Just keep it clean by gently rubbing it with a Q-tip and a little solution. If its not deep it should heal on its own. Can you post a pic?

[taniya91]

I cant send a pic now cause im at work...whats the ratio of the solution you use? Ill do that until the vet opens...also skullys tongue wasnt infected but the vet wanted to prevent any infections...

Regardless ill be taking him to the vet...my reptile vet isnt expensive and id rather be safe then sorry

[Spindown]

do NOT use peroxide. "researchers have found that hydrogen peroxide has little ability to reduce bacteria in wounds and can actually inflame healthy skin cells that surround a cut or a scrape, increasing the amount of time wounds take to heal."
I also recently finished my Pet first aid certification (although it was for mammals), that definitely said not to use peroxide for the same reason ^
I would use a DILUTED betadine (iodine) solution to clean it with, swap his substrate to either newspaper or paper towels for hygiene, and keep the wound from getting wet. I wouldnt use antibiotics personally without vet consultation.

[taniya91]

Already did all the above and no peroxide...havent done iodine yet and dont think I have any actually :/

[Katrina]

If you're taking him to the vet anyway, then just keep it clean and dry until the vet can see it. No sense in doing anything else - the vet can asses if it needs any sort of medication or requires further treatment. It doesn't sound like a big deal, likely something that will heal on it's own, so just have a vet examine it and follow their advice. Hope it heals quickly.

[taniya91]

i was actually able to get him into the vet today...good thing to because it swelled to twice the size since yesterday!!!
he got some antibiotics and will be fine though... thank goodness

im so glad i took him