Pls Help! Injured wild blue tongue

[anna.jc]

Hello

My Dad just brought in a small blue tongue approx 18-20cm long. He clipped a couple of claws off with the wipper snipper and it was bleeding pretty bad. I am not adequately equipped to look after him for a long period (no spare heat lamp nor food), all I have done give him a box, water, small hide and a quick warm rinse which stung him a bit. I am about to do a quick salt water rinse on his foot.

He seems to be walking fine, he is not snapping at me I do not want to keep him for too long. Does anyone recommend something I can do for him?

thanks
anna

 

[Snake Catcher Victoria]

Can you post a photo of it, it might be ok to release once the bleeding has stopped.

 

[anna.jc]

sure just finding one that works now will be couple mins!

 

[FAY]

If you have any Betadine Antiseptic Cream that will be good for his toes.

 

[souldoubt]

if bone is exposed it will need to be stitched over so that no infection gets into the bone. If you dont want to look after it till its ready for release (legally you should be registered as a wildlife carer if you were to do that anyway, just to cover your own butt) I would give wires a call, they'll find a carer for it and let it go when its ready

and as Faye said antiseptic cream would be good because the injury has just happened - antiseptics dont kill bacteria once infection is there, but they prevent bacterial growth in the first place

 

[anna.jc]

bit blury but can see the red where his toes are now not

betadine ouch! sure i'll try that. he can move the leg just he doesnt want to put pressure on the foot. i think the area might too small to stitch lol

 

[Snake Catcher Victoria]

I reckon he would be ok to release, Its just one foot isnt it?
keeping him to long could stress him and retard the natural healing process.
Bit o betadine, then out the door.

 

[anna.jc]

yea from what i can see it is just the tiny little two toes. i will watch him for maybe half hour give him another rinse and betadine.

 

[Jen]

Bepanthan is also an awesome antiseptic cream for animals.

 

[ajandj]

looks like the little felly has been in the wars in the past. Part of his tail is missing. I would clean it up and if your still concerned, as mentioned above, give either wise or your local vet a call.

 

[anna.jc]

thanks guys!! he is looking more active now. and the bleeding has stopped I think I had better let him catch some afternoon sun before it gets cold!

 

[Bluetongue1]

I would be tempted to keep it over night. This is so that the wound can scab over properly while the likelihood of infection is reduced by being on newspaper rather than soil. He will be fine if he has somewhere dark and cosy to hide. If the hide provided is too big use a piece of blanket or similar material that will cut out most of the light.

If there is still fresh blood or even lymph (clear to yellowish fluid) leaking from the wound in the morning, then he should probably have further treatment. That is where W.I.R.E.S., mentioned above, would come in (check Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in yellow pages or on the net). Good luck with him and good on you.

Blue