Lesions on Head?

[Turtlestork]

Hey everyone,
When I was away at college my family let me gecko tank get a little dry. It seems that because of this one of my adult females got a lesion on her head. I am not sure if this was because of a stuck shed or what not. I treated it with some petroleum-based antibiotic ointment in order to keep it moist and keep infection away. It healed up so that it doesn't look irritate any longer. However, it did leave a scar. Do you guys think this will cover over with scales perhaps next shed? Has this happened with any of your geckos?

Levi Storks

 

[Aimless]

hey Levi-

that much of a scar will probably never be 100% gone. it will get better over time - as in, months and years. eventually what you see with cresties is scalation that is more or less normal, but with a darker color, where the scar tissue is now.

for future reference, I would avoid petroleum-based ANYTHING on your gecko. such oils can damage their skin. the cream-based antibiotic will do in a pinch, but if you have a chance get some silvadene. it's made for reptiles, and is really the best choice.

 

[cassicat4]

If it's just a surface injury (i.e. as a result of your gecko pulling off shed that wasn't loose enough to come off), it's possible it will disappear with subsequent sheds. However, if it's a deeper injury, such as the result of your gecko rubbing up against something rough to remove the skin, then it might be somewhat permanent (getting less noticeable with each shed, but never completely disappearing).

None of my cresties have ever had an injury like that, but I do have a Leo who used to have a hard time shedding when she was younger, and injured her nose in the process. Her injury happened over a year ago, and I used Tear Gel (vet recommendation) on the wound to help it heal. However, she still has a bit of scar on her nose as a result.

 

[Turtlestork]

Thanks guys for the advice - I guess as long as she is comfortable now that works. Where does one get silvadene or can I only get this from a vet? I might want to have some on hand, I was never told the petroleum could hurt my reptiles!

 

[Aimless]

I do not have documentation for that, but had heard the rumor. about a year ago I contacted two herp vets who work with the local herp society's foster program and both agreed petroleum was bad for reptiles.
I think you have to get silvadene from a vet, but then I've never tried google...?