Leaping Lizards! Wound Care for Reptiles

Lizards and other reptiles may not be quite as popular pets as the furred variety, but here at Curicyn, we know that lizards need love – and wound care – too. Accidents happen, from burns due to heating element malfunctions to scrapes and abrasions, and Curicyn is here to help with wound care for reptiles of all shapes and sizes.

Treating Minor Burns

Burns from heating elements in enclosures are some of the most common causes of injuries to our reptilian friends. Because they are cold-blooded, reptiles require an external source of heat. Depending on your setup and the type of lizard or reptile you have, the type and temperature of any heating elements in your pet’s environment will impact it. 

While technology has come a long way over the years, even today’s modern heating elements, such as heat lamps and rocks, can still malfunction. Power outages and surges, age of the element, and a variety of other issues can cause the built-in temperature control to malfunction and cause accidental burns. It is important to check your lizard or reptile regularly as they do not process pain from heat in the same way as mammals do, which means burns often go unnoticed for several days. Finding any issues early on makes treatment at home with reptile-safe wound care a viable option.

Often, heat-source burns occur on the underside of the reptile due to the way they tend to position for warmth on heating elements such as rocks and stones. When a burn occurs, the reptile often doesn’t immediately take action due to the difference in their pain receptors. If your reptile has a minor burn, it should be cleaned with a non-abrasive, non-stick pad or cloth and cool water. To help prevent infection, you can apply a wound care spray or clay to help facilitate healing. Curicyn’s Would Care Clay is an ideal choice for issues on the underside of your reptile, as it will form a protective coating over the injured area and help keep the wound clean as it heals. When applied, the wound care clay also has a cooling effect, which helps alleviate the pain your reptile may be experiencing due to the burn. 

More serious burns include those with severely cracked or damaged skin, evidence of bleeding, or oozing. If any of these conditions are present, veterinary care is recommended. Your veterinarian can assist with the initial cleaning of the wound and pain management if needed. While reptiles are not easy to bandage, some burns may require wrapping to help facilitate healing, which your veterinarian can also address.

Regardless of the burn type, identifying the cause and removing the faulty element is critical before putting your lizard or reptile back in their habitat. Another important step is changing the bedding for something that will not stick to the wound. Sand, clay, and dirt all can delay the healing process. Safe wound cover options include paper towels or a clean, non-adherent material. This helps protect the injury while keeping your reptile comfortable during healing. Apply Curicyn daily to support recovery and ensure your pet heals and thrives.

Lizards and other reptiles need heating elements to live, but they can also pose some burn risks. Curicyn Wound Care Clay can help.

Cuts & Abrasions

Cuts and abrasions happen to pets, even lizards, snakes, and other reptiles, and proper wound care is an essential part of healing. If your reptile has damaged skin or scales, always check its tank for evidence of how it may have become injured. Removing the cause, be it a twig or some other item in their habitat, will help prevent the injury from recurring. 

Similarly, minor burns, cuts, and scrapes should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cloth or pad and cool water. Treating the location with a reptile-safe wound care spray such as Curicyn’s Original Formula will also help the healing process and reduce the risk of infection. Keep the area clean and, if necessary, change the bedding in your pet’s habitat to a non-stick variation, such as a soft paper towel, to prevent dirt or dust from getting into the injury and causing complications. Our blood stop powder is safe to use on all animals to deter bleeding in minor wounds. However, if a wound is bleeding significantly or any internal organs or structures are visible, please get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

Bites & Eye Injuries

If you have a snake that prefers live meals, puncture wounds from bites and eye issues from prey are risks. While training pet snakes to eat previously killed prey is preferred, some will refuse anything but a live diet. When rodents resist their predators, bites can cause punctures to fragile reptile skin, and scratches can occur on the face and eyes. Provided the injuries are minor, they may be able to be treated at home. But, if you are unsure, always contact your veterinarian. 

Wound care for these types of injuries are similar to treating burns and abrasions in reptiles. Cleaning the wound is important, followed by proper anti-bacterial treatment with a reptile-safe wound care product. Eyes can be trickier as reptile eyes are extremely sensitive and prone to irritation from dirt, dust, and sand that can be kicked up while your pet is hunting. If your snake or reptile has irritated eyes, our eye care solution is also reptile-safe and can help clear up minor eye issues from dust, bedding, or other similar irritants. Of course, as with any injury, if the wounds are deep, there is significant bleeding, or your pet shows signs of distress, please seek veterinary attention immediately. 

We know that wounds and issues happen even to our reptile friends. We make reptile-safe products to help your pet heal and thrive. Tag us on social media at @Curicyn with your reptile photos, and share your love for all of our reptilian friends!

Curicyn offers incredible healing for all reptiles, even snakes.