New Leo

Question
QUESTION: I really have 2 questions for you.

I picked up a 5 month old leopard gecko yesterday and put her in a 10 gallon tank with a undertank heating pad.  I am using repitle carpet (2 layers) but I guess it wasn't enough because she seems to have a minor burn on her front legs/side.  It does not seem bad, just a little red, but she is still moving/acting fine. I have put cool, moist paper towels down for her to lay on.  I have also unplugged the undertank heating pad for now until I go out tomorrow and get another layer or 2 of carpet.  I was wondering if there was anything I should do to help heal the burn.  Once again, it does not seem bad, but she is in a new home and don't want her to be too stressed.

My second question is feeding.  This is her 2nd night in her new home, and I tried to feed her tonight but she seemed very uninterested (I made sure I had the right sized crickets).  I know they sometimes won't eat if they are stressed (the burn probably doesn't help), but I was wondering when she should begin eating normally (how long does it usually take for them to settle in to a new home?)

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hello Missa,

Wow that is too bad.  I have never had that happen before. What type of heating pad is it?  How thick was the carpet?  
You can use some aloe vera gel to help with the burn.  Also, there is a product called thermazene that you can get from amazon.com that is very good for burn treatment.  

I would let her settle in a little bit.  She may not eat for a few days though since she is in a new home.  Relocation stress usually lasts 1-2 weeks depending on the particular animal.

Are you also using a low wattage light bulb in conjunction with the undertank heater?  

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Tracie,  the heating pad I have is a "exo terra heat wave" size extra small.  The package says its for desert reptiles.  I tried the aloe vera.  I am using a 50 watt heat lamp as well as the undertank pad (my room is in our basement and I can't reach the correct temps using only an undertank heating pad).  I have added another layer of carpet so the burn should not happen again.  

Thank you for all your help.

Answer
Hello Missa,

Ok, great.  The extra layer of carpet should help.  Can you feel any heat from the undertank heater between the carpet layers?  
How is his burn looking?  
Good you are using a low wattage basking light in conjunction with the undertank heater because they need that additional heating.  
The undertank heater should be fine, it obviously just got too hot.  
Great that you were on top of things & found the burn that quickly.  He should make a full recovery.  :-))

Tracie