Questions about scars

[DianaBlueTongue]

So today my newest rescue arrived, an adult northern bluey who I have yet to name but an considering Scar because of obvious reasons. Anyway, I was just wondering everyones opinion on these scars is. The one on the shoulder is the one that worries me the most, during a nice warm soak today I noticed the scales just behind the large deep scar on the shoulder have an almost hardened feel to them and almosr feel like the could pull up, making the white area larger. What could have caused scars like these? My first thought was burns but the previous owner was certain that wasn't the reason. She said that some of the scales came up too early during the last shed, something ive never heard of. Anyway, is there any such thing as a scale rot situation like this? Or maybe a disease that deteriorates body scales? It just seems like its spreading by the feel of the scales behind the white area or could it be infact a burn? Do the burned scales hang around a while, harden and then fall off? Before anyone suggests it, yes, he/she is going to the vet next week to get an overall check, was just wondering now what I can do or what could have caused this. Thanks!

[DianaBlueTongue]

Is there such a thing as an infection or bacteria that causes marks like this in reptiles? Are these burns or something else? I can't get her to the vet till next week and someone made a comment to me that it looks to them like a bacterial infection. Has anyone ever seen this? If there is such a thing is it contagious and is there anything I can do between now and her vet visit next week? Please, if anyone has any experience in wounds like this or can help me figure out what caused this I'd really appreciate it, im horribley worried about her. None of the wounds seem like they're bothering her, and are actually quite dry and flaky, these pics were taken in the bath so they look more fresh I think in the pics. They also don't seem to cause her any pain right now, she doesn't flinch when touched and moves about normally, is very alert and inquisitive and ate a big bowl of food last night for me.

[saisaac]

My bearded dragon had something similar on her tail at different times in her life. She had lost a portion of her tail to a cage mate at a pet store. Sometimes, she would have difficulties shedding on her tail and if it built up, it would look similar. Almost as if it was a scab. Two times it did this on the tip of her tail where the amputation had taken place. She also managed to bite herself pretty hard on the tail in an attempt to bite me when she was all worked up by natural sun outside. That time, it looked almost identical to what you have here. A vet advised me to treat it with an antibiotic ointment and clean it once a day. Unfortunately, she suddenly died before that particular wound ever healed.

[amcurls]

It looks to me like a burn. I have a Madagascar Giant Velvet Gecko that had this kind of wound. I treated it with antibiotic cream (under vets suggestion) and it did heal up though with minor scarring. I suggest doing this till vet visit.

[Susann]

You said you are in close contact with the previous owners; why not get all available info from them: when did it start, have the wounds/scars ever been wet or weepy or always dry and flaky, have they ever witnessed any scrapes or scratches that would have resulted in this scarring?
The white areas look to me like layers of scales have been "scraped" off, exposing the subcutaneous layer. Unless the previous owners have been in the habit of treating the wounds/scars with something, I would be reluctant to put anything on it until seen by the vet, unless it is weepy, or looking inflamed or infected, in which case I would speed up the vet visit.

[DianaBlueTongue]

I've tried asking her multiple times but all she ever says is that the bluey pulled/scraped off the scales during the last shed, that it's definitely not a burn and that it happened while at work one day and assumed she got pinned or stuck under her basking log but then she thought the blue was a male because of the white "plugs" that accompanied every poop so it makes me wonder if she really was just clueless to the lizard getting burned. Here are some better pics I took today out of the water and dry. You can clearly see the "crispy" looking thickened scales and flacky appearance to the white areas. She doesn't appear to be in any pain or even discomfort, move around completely normal and has no reaction when the white areas are touched. I would have preferred to get her in sooner but just can't and have to wait till her appointment on Thursday to get her in to see the vet. Our local emergency animal clinic doesn't treat reptiles, which is BS in my book but is what it is.

[saisaac]

Too me it looks like the same sort of marks my beardie had on her tail except more generalized. After the initial wounds partially healed she had skin issues each shed that looked very similar. Hers were definitely the result of a wound not a burn. Is there any chance it could have gotten pinned or been otherwise forced to harshly grate against any highly abrassive rock or wood in the enclosure?

[Susann]

Is there any chance it could have gotten pinned or been otherwise forced to harshly grate against any highly abrassive rock or wood in the enclosure?

As I understand it, that's what the previous owner thinks happened; I don't think Diana has any way of knowing any more than they are willing to guess/share.
Sure looks strange. I would also guess at some kind of previous wound, but in my very limited experience with reptile wounds they have always turned dark, not white.
It'll be interesting to hear what the vet says on Thursday. Let us know.

[DianaBlueTongue]

I'll be sure to let you know what they say, I've been dealing with rescues for years now and have never experienced anything quite like this. It looks like a burn, but looks like a wound but kinda looks fungal. lol, I'm stumped! Luckily it doesn't currently seem to affect her and she's literally the sweetest lizard I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She falls asleep while rubbing under her chin. Just look at the face?! It was love at first site :p

[Richard.C]

I didnt realise it had so many affected areas,could very well be a skin infection,usually u see it on there underside if its blister disease ,from to damp conditions probably mixed with unsanitory conditions but not always

All we can do is guess,a vet will likely give you more accurate answers

[DianaBlueTongue]

A friend of mine whose a vet tech at the clinic I use stopped over this morning. She said she's almost 100% that its a burn. She took a few scale samples and said on Monday she'll have a look at them and see if she can give me a better answer. Always handy having vet tech friends. lol.

[Katrina]

It looks like burns. Looks healed though, probably nothing to be concerned about.

[Richard.C]

If burns thats a heck of alot of burns

[DianaBlueTongue]

Yeah, I feel terrible for her but she really doesn't seen to be in any pain or discomfort and the white areas do feel healed to the touch. I think the crispy areas are just the burned scales that haven't sloughed off yet. Unfortunately I think when its all said and done she's going to have a bunch of white racing stripes along her back but I think shes gorgeous no matter what. She's the sweetest lizard Ive ever had the pleasure of knowing