Dried Out Cartilages

Cartilage can, and does, dry out if exposed. This is a particularly prevalent problem in any injury to a wing. The major injury may have been treated, but the cartilage remains exposed as the wing heals, but dries quicker than other tissues. Cause: Poor ichor supply, usually to wing after scoring.

Symptoms: The Dragon will be distressed, dehydrated (see Dehydration for further details) and parched, the hide tone greyish. The Rider may also be delirious.

Treatment: 1. Suture vessels that are ichoring (see 'Deep Threadscoring ', Major Wounds, and Suturing ). 2. Remove ichor from a healthy Dragon, and use this to treat the sick Dragon (see Transfusions ). 3. Apply ichor directly to the dried out cartilages and joints as often as is necessary.

Recovery: With dried-out cartilages, recovery time depends on the severity of the wing injury, but will generally be at least a few months.

Notes: Dehydration (see Dehydration for further details) should be treated as quickly as possible.