Tail problems

Tail problems (pix included)

We just got an aprox 8 month old pair of Jackson mt meru chameleons. They are housed together, for now, but we notice after we brought them home, our males tail did not look well at all. My husband said it looks to him like it might fall off. Not sure what it is or if there is anything we can do to help/stop the problem. I will attach pictures once I figure out how. PLEASE HELP. WE ARE FIRST TIME CHAME OWNERS!!


From what I read about tail rot, it tends to happen mostly on the tip and this is in the center. His tail seems to curl but not completely.

Hello!
Welcome to CF!
Im sorry his tail isnt well
Pictures would definitely help.
Just click the paperclip icon when your posting a reply. From there, any picture on your computer can be uploaded.

thank you!
i was using an ipad and the forum will not allow me to post from that so i had to start up my main computer to post pictutres. they are up now. thank you for any advice or help

First: Welcome!

Second: Yikes! I'm going to strongly recommend you take him to a vet. He will probably need antibiotics. I suspect that he's going to lose his tail. He'll be able to live well without it. It will affect his climbing some, but he'll adjust.

You might try putting a topical antibiotic like neosporin or polysporin for now while you arrange to take him to the vet.

Also, you need to get them into separate cages ASAP. At 8 months old, you need to consider that the female might be pregnant and learn what you need to know about that.

Do I need to worry about either of them eating the neosporin ? And my hubby is currently building a new cage for them to be separated. Should be done in a week or so. Thank you for your input. Ps what is a lizard doc called? Lol

Neosporin is edible...that's not a problem.

You want a vet with chameleon experience. Typically, the term "exotics" is a clue. There's a reference list at the top of this forum.

You may need to call some vets to ask if they have chameleon experience.

The sooner you can get them separated, the better. They will cause each other stress just by being there (and don't let them fool you by hanging out together, they do that to mess with your brain!).

Elizadolots said:

Neosporin is edible...that's not a problem.

You want a vet with chameleon experience. Typically, the term "exotics" is a clue. There's a reference list at the top of this forum.

You may need to call some vets to ask if they have chameleon experience.

The sooner you can get them separated, the better. They will cause each other stress just by being there (and don't let them fool you by hanging out together, they do that to mess with your brain!).

Click to expand...

/\What Eliza said. Start looking for exotic vets, and find the one with the most chameleon experience.

The tail looks pretty bad
I cant tell, but it seems it was crushed, it could have been burned though. Its definitely heavily damaged.
Either way, there is a chance it could heal, or it might not. If it doesnt, the animal can still live a long healthy life

From the pictures, Im not 100% sure you have meru's.
It seems like a xanth in the picture.
Just an observation.
You may also want to fill out the "how to ask for help" form.
It goes over all aspects of your husbandry, its a great way to get experienced advice on how you are caring for your animal, and get a heads up on anything that needs changing.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

My solid snake (she says)...did you double click the picture of the tail? It's bad. There's necrotic tissue from both the top and the bottom. I don't see how it's salvageable. From what I see, the important thing is to prevent infection from spreading upwards.

As there are bones involved, it will need medical attention.

LovRpets, think of it this way, if you damaged a toenail so badly it came off you might not go to a doctor...but if you damaged a finger so badly it might come off, you would go to the doctor.

Chameleons are not like some lizards who can just grow another tail...severe tail damage needs to be viewed in the same light as severe limb damage...if that were his leg, would you be asking if it needed attention?

Elizadolots said:

My solid snake (she says)...did you double click the picture of the tail? It's bad. There's necrotic tissue from both the top and the bottom. I don't see how it's salvageable. From what I see, the important thing is to prevent infection from spreading upwards.
Yeah, but I cant see clearly in the photo, the full extent of the damage. It is bad. It could still be salvagable though. I see no clear sign to think otherwise atm.
What makes it look necrotic?
As there are bones involved, it will need medical attention.

Click to expand...

I agree this chameleon needs a proffesional.
If the tail isnt infected yet, it most likely will be soon.
It may need amputation.
It may heal fine.
Id like to see clearer pictures, and the form filled out though

Welcome to the forums.

I am amazed at the moment. From that pic it looks like it is to the bone on the back side and flesh/meat is missing down the side. I wonder if it is all the way around. How the tip of the tail still look ok...idk. Speculating, this started as a cricket bite.

Dont leave any crickets in the cage overnight. They will be all over that area like flies.

Id see a vet.

I was thinking it looked more like another chameleon had bitten his tail.

If there is still proper blood flow to the tip of the tail he might not lose it.
I definitely think the chameleon should be put on an antibiotic though and have a cream like flamazine put on the wound.

ataraxia said:

Dont leave any crickets in the cage overnight. They will be all over that area like flies.

Click to expand...

/\Yes/\

kinyonga said:

I was thinking it looked more like another chameleon had bitten his tail.

Click to expand...

I didnt think of that.
The spacing seems right for another cham.

Just my opinion and understand it is all speculation. if one side/row of teeth went in that far. the other side would have followed suit. leaving another line above it or below it .

ataraxia said:

Just my opinion and understand it is all speculation. if one side/row of teeth went in that far. the other side would have followed suit. leaving another line above it or below it .

Click to expand...

I see your speculation, and raise you a total guess.
Its an older wound.
I think its been crushed.
If it was a bite, there may have been crushing with no laceration.
If it was a bite, I think with that amount of damage, it would have been a strong enough bite to cut it all the way through and the tail wouldnt even be there in the capacity that it is now.
So I dont think its a bite at all. I think its more likely to have been crushed in a door of some-sort.

That's all we can do...speculate.

Well I tried to get a hold of the guy we got them from and had no luck yet. He does have function of his tail. The tip curls but it stops at the sight of the damage, and then continues to move and bend at the base. The wound does not look "open" at all but I have begun puting ointment on the wound just in case. Have a vets appointment next week. Just hoping he won't have to amputate it. That would be horrible. Thank you for all your advice.

If he has use of it at both ends, he could very well heal from the injury
If there is infection, and its bad, the tail may have to be removed though.
While my panthers tail injury was no where near severe as your animals, I stepped on the tip of his tail, and he regained use of it, and grew scales back on the bits of skin that were heavily damaged.
I hope the vet says he can keep it.
If the wound is needs cleaning, I would clean it as much as possible before using any ointment.
A antibiotic ointment(not cream) like neosporin is safe.
So if its clean I say slather it down.
If theres not even any open skin though, Id say he has a great chance of keeping it.

I agree, if the tip and the base are both working, it's possible the tail can be saved. I really hope that's going to happen.

kinyonga said:

I was thinking it looked more like another chameleon had bitten his tail.

Click to expand...

Exactly what I first thought.

Definitely a vet visit needed ASAP as already advised. Good luck - lets hope he keeps his tail