Ti tree oil, deadly to reptiles?

ilovemysnake · 12-15-13, 04:47 PM

I read that its deadly for reptiles. The wound healing stuff i got for them consists of it.
Was what i read true? its if its deadly, then why would it be in a wound healer?

I was looking at reviews on this product and found the following review-

Because my Malaysian Box Turtle had obvious shell rot about 2 months ago, I ordered this before I went to the vet. Luckily, my vet had already given me a cleaning routine for the shell before I tried to use this stuff; today was the follow up visit, and I brought this along with several other items I had bought for him to take a look at and see what he said.

As soon as he took one look at this, his eyes became big and he asked me if I'd used this yet. I told him no, and he went on to say that Tea Tree oil is toxic to reptiles! He said that Tea Tree oil, topically and especailly internally, is dangerous to all reptiles; he'd had several people who had tried to treat their snakes and geckos with this sort of thing and a few of them had been so severely poisoned they died!

kelzerman · 12-15-13, 06:42 PM

I am not 100% sure why it is considered toxic, but I wouldn't use it. It is toxic if ingested, and if it's on the snake then the snakes gets in the waterbowl then drinks... Idk I wouldn't risk it. What happened that you need it? I'm sure there is other alternatives.

ilovemysnake · 12-15-13, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelzerman

I am not 100% sure why it is considered toxic, but I wouldn't use it. It is toxic if ingested, and if it's on the snake then the snakes gets in the waterbowl then drinks... Idk I wouldn't risk it. What happened that you need it? I'm sure there is other alternatives.

When i got turbine, she was stuck to duct tape, and it kinda ripped her skin a bit. she's shed, so i dont use it anymore. but she's fine now.

and when i rescued turbo, he had cut, burns, abrasions, missing scales. so that was the original reason i got it. it healed him up nicely, but i used it on them both before i looked at reviews.

formica · 12-16-13, 11:37 AM

there are a huge number of products that are safe for humans, but not for other animals, doesnt suprise me that tea tree oil is dangerous to reptiles, its powerful stuff.

always check with a vet before using anything on a reptile, or any other animal, its dangerous to assume that because something is good for humans that it is ok for any other creature!

ilovemysnake · 12-16-13, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

there are a huge number of products that are safe for humans, but not for other animals, doesnt suprise me that tea tree oil is dangerous to reptiles, its powerful stuff.

always check with a vet before using anything on a reptile, or any other animal, its dangerous to assume that because something is good for humans that it is ok for any other creature!

that,s the thing. its for reptiles. its called repti wound healer.

formica · 12-16-13, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

that,s the thing. its for reptiles. its called repti wound healer.

strange, the only references I can find to tea tree oil and reptiles, is regarding toxicity...except for the product you mention by Zoo Med. going to see what my vet says tomorrow, perhaps at low enough concentration it is safer

ilovemysnake · 12-16-13, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

strange, the only references I can find to tea tree oil and reptiles, is regarding toxicity...except for the product you mention by Zoo Med. going to see what my vet says tomorrow, perhaps at low enough concentration it is safer

keep me updated please!