Applying neosporin to ulcer

[froggy]

Hi all

I recently acquired some Cynops orientalis - a petshop gave them to me as all the others they had brought in had died. One is fine, another developed a small ulcer that has healed (or almost so) with flamazine cream application (silver sulfadiazine). The last has a large sore on the side of the base of the tail. She is eating a bit, but the flamazine doesn't seem to be helping the sore. I have got some neosporin cream, but can't get the stuff to stick to the wound. I have tried gently drying the wound with a cotton bud, and applying the cream with a wet cotton bud, but it won't adhere to the sore.
The sick animals are in individual hospital tanks.

I have been keeping the cream in the fridge, so will try warming it a little before applying it.

Any tips?

Chris

 

[SludgeMunkey]

You will not have much luck with a topical product like this. The stuff just isn't designed for amphibian skin. Honestly, I'm not even sure if Neosporin is safe for amphibians. (I know it is really bad for cats, not that that is really applicable!)

I generally treat skin ulcers and the like by using Melafix at a rate om one mL per liter directly in the hospital tank water.

 

[froggy]

Hi Johnny

Thanks for the input. The animals are staying terrestrial, so there isn't the option of melafix (I don't want to stress them even more while they are still eating). I will keep going with the silver sulfadiazine for a bit (as it is reccommended by several documents about amphibian medicine for ulcers) and see what happens. If it comes to it, I will try the neosporin as a last resort.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Neosporin works enough that it is worth a try and I've seen it recommended quite often for caudates on here and by at least 2 veterinarians. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you get the kind without the pain killer medication in it. Neosporin, and other topical ointments, generally adhere better when they are at room temperature.

 

[froggy]

The ulcer was showing no signs of healing, so I decided to try the neosporin. After consulting some literature, I have decided to use it alongside the silver sulfadiazine. The two creams mix together well (the flamzine is dissolved in a UHP cream, which also dissolves the petroleum-based neosporin) and the mixture adheres well to the wound.

I found that even at room temperature (about 18 C - the newts are cooler, at around 16) the neosporin did not stick well to the ulcer; I could get some on it in a thin layer eventually, but it required holding the animal for ages, which was stressful for her, and repeatedly touching the ulcer, which I think must be quite painful given her reaction to doing so.

Both affected animals are eating well still, which is particularly encouraging with the animal with the very large sore.

Hopefully things will improve.

Thanks

Chris