Posted by bloomindaedalus on May 02, 2003 at 18:12:25:
In Reply to: baby painted missing front leg posted by keogh on May 02, 2003 at 17:27:50:
actually it doesn't look as bad as i have seen but i'd still find a vet eventually.
I think silvadine or nolvasan or another antiseptic should be used daily to clean the wound though. I would gently scrape away any dead tissue (with maybe an alcohol swab) before rinsing with the antiseptic but avoid and rubbing hard enough to draw blood or tear living tissues. Rinse with luke warm water afterwards.
As for the temp, you need a thermometer. I'd try to keep the water near 78 and the air 80 -84. The warm spot can get to 90 without harm. this is a little higher than normal for painteds (though i have always found they do better at higher temps than other temperate species, but that's another issue)but will probbaly aid in his recovery. I cannot say for sure if the bulb will accomplish the warmth required; it depends upon wattage, distance from container, temp of room, material used in cage etc...., but check with a thermometer to be sure.
As far as goes the food thing, yeah small painteds (especially from the wild) are not so easy to get to eat pellets; they usually take to small bugs after a few days though.
good luck
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