Orphan Iguanas, cheap whiskey, and reptile bites.

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Posted by filthy on January 27, 2000 at 04:00:56:

I just got done digging yet another tooth out of my brand new and mildly infected Ig bite, and I think there may be another yet. As bites are rarly discussed on this forum, I thought I'd lay down a few thoughts.

Reptiles, even crocadilians, tend to have comparitivly loose teeth and shed them reguliarly as they do their skins. With any bite, teeth may remain in the wound, even from venomous snakes, who often leave a fang behind. The first thing to do with a non-venomous nip is flush it and check it for lost teeth. With a snake bite, this is fairly easy. The teeth have a smooth taper and usually getting them out is similar to removing a tiny thorn.

Lizard teeth, I am discovering, are not so easy. They have a blockier shape and tend to stay in. I have gone after these with a sewing needle and it has required some fairly painful digging. Most importent to get them out.

Which brings up another question: Why did the Ig lose so many - at least 3 and I think 4. She doesn't look to have a mouth infection of any sort. Perhaps they were almost all shedders.

Some NV snakes, such as Ringnecks and Garters, have a toxic saliva, that while it is not dangerous, can be irritating. I have read and been told that many Monitors have bacteria in the saliva that is very infectous, and in Komodo Dragons (which we are unlikely to be bitten by, yes?) they are so virilent that the saliva might as well be a venom. So, after picking out the teeth, if any, a bite needs to be disinfected (a measure I admit I tend to be somewhat lax on).

What it sugars off to is that we need to know the animal and it's potential, and what to expect if it nails us. And, trust me, it will try one day. Even the gentelist reptile can wake up feeling evil. A friend was bitten by one of his Beardeds, of all things!

Missy took a dump late yesterday. It wasn't much of an effort, but at least it's a start.

Hang in and watch your fingers.

filthy

Follow Ups:

Guess I was lucky,,,, cirsisue 01/29/00 (0)
first aid 101 ... aka .... comparing war, i mean ig ... wounds ... iZ's mom 01/27/00 (2)
- Hi Mom, filthy 01/28/00 (1)
  - filthy ~ cuz you're really a bIG softie at heart!!!! *grin* ....nm iZ's mom 01/28/00 (0)
Re:How big do Ig's teeth get? spazzy is 2 and I don't see any but knows she has them they are just real small. Ouch on the bite :O( N/P Kendra 01/27/00 (6)
- Go to Url..... Desiree 01/28/00 (0)
- The ones I dug out were small. more filthy 01/27/00 (4)
  - Drawing of teeth.......(made fast so please take that into consideration) Harry's Dad 01/27/00 (3)
    - Re: Drawing of teeth.......thanks. I was wondering about edge serritions. more filthy 01/28/00 (2)
      - A mix of Vinegar and water will also work getting them to let go.n/m Harry's Dad 01/28/00 (1)
        
        That's a good one that I'll remember. Thanks. np filthy 01/28/00 (0)
Re: YOW! Lola and Harry's Mom 01/27/00 (5)
- Cheap whiskey is...... filthy 01/27/00 (4)
  - Can the same be said about cheap Gin????nm cirsisue 01/29/00 (1)
    - I don't know anybody who's making gin, but I suppose....np filthy 01/29/00 (0)
  - You forgot one! Iguanamomma 01/27/00 (1)
    - I was hoping somebody'd add to it..... np filthy 01/27/00 (0)

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: I just got done digging yet another tooth out of my brand new and mildly infected Ig bite, and I think there may be another yet. As bites are rarly discussed on this forum, I thought I'd lay down a few thoughts. : Reptiles, even crocadilians, tend to have comparitivly loose teeth and shed them reguliarly as they do their skins. With any bite, teeth may remain in the wound, even from venomous snakes, who often leave a fang behind. The first thing to do with a non-venomous nip is flush it and check it for lost teeth. With a snake bite, this is fairly easy. The teeth have a smooth taper and usually getting them out is similar to removing a tiny thorn. : Lizard teeth, I am discovering, are not so easy. They have a blockier shape and tend to stay in. I have gone after these with a sewing needle and it has required some fairly painful digging. Most importent to get them out. : Which brings up another question: Why did the Ig lose so many - at least 3 and I think 4. She doesn't look to have a mouth infection of any sort. Perhaps they were almost all shedders. : Some NV snakes, such as Ringnecks and Garters, have a toxic saliva, that while it is not dangerous, can be irritating. I have read and been told that many Monitors have bacteria in the saliva that is very infectous, and in Komodo Dragons (which we are unlikely to be bitten by, yes?) they are so virilent that the saliva might as well be a venom. So, after picking out the teeth, if any, a bite needs to be disinfected (a measure I admit I tend to be somewhat lax on). : What it sugars off to is that we need to know the animal and it's potential, and what to expect if it nails us. And, trust me, it will try one day. Even the gentelist reptile can wake up feeling evil. A friend was bitten by one of his Beardeds, of all things! : Missy took a dump late yesterday. It wasn't much of an effort, but at least it's a start. : Hang in and watch your fingers. : filthy

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