Another leg issue

[Brad Ramsey]

You may recall that one of the babies from the first Aggie/Green Bean clutch has a backward leg. He is doing fine and actually has a home he will go to once he is big enough to travel.
One of his clutch mates has recently developed a different problem. This animal is not promised to anyone and is going to stay here until this issue is resolved. Both of them are going to see the vet this week.
Just curious to see if anyone has any ideas about this.
I have pretty much ruled out MBD or a broken bone and he uses the leg and foot just fine. He is eating and drinking well and growing right along with his siblings.
The lump is hard like bone and I don't think it was there before I noticed it a few days ago.

Incidentally, anyone out there who is considering getting into chameleon breeding, be sure to budget for the many more trips to the vet than you take now!

-Brad

 

[Syn]

Can chameleons develop gout an such an early stage?

 

[Dave Weldon]

...The lump is hard like bone and I don't think it was there before I noticed it a few days ago...

Howdy Brad,

Any chance that little gray spot on the bump was an entry point for an infection? I wonder if that location got knicked or bitten? An infection at the bone level is often hard like you described .

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Dave

That is probably what we are dealing with.
Trace suspected an infection as well.
Out of curiosity, would this be treated with an antibiotic like Baytril?

-Brad

 

[kinyonga]

Sorry about the leg problems, Brad.

Leg infections generally need to be cleaned out to prevent them from getting worse and/or spreading. A culture will determine the bacteria involved so that the appropriate antibiotic can be used.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The vet did not want to clean out the infection due to the small size of this animal.
She prescribed twice daily topical application of Silver Sulfadiazine cream and twice daily dose .05 ml of Clindamycin 0.3mg/ml injected into a feeder.

Would appreciate thoughts/opinions on this treatment.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

After applying the cream this afternoon, the swelling has reduced.
He has had one dose of the antibiotic ... I'm sure I will improve at injecting crickets with more practice
Just wanted to post about how fast that cream had an effect ... I really thought I was crazy for a minute, I can't believe it.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Here is a picture.
By the way, our vet has pricing down to minimum amounts of meds. We got the smallest amount of the antibiotic we could ... I will be able to treat infections for a year! (which is the shelf life)

-Brad

 

[codiwatkins]

Im glad they are wroking so fast!! hopefully your little guy turns out to be a super cham!!

 

[coolmoon]

Man thats a big difference for one application. Looks like it will work without the cleaning. I will have to make a note on this treatment in my emergency book.

 

[kinyonga]

Good to see the improvement!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Well, I think it's good to have that cream on hand.
I don't really know what is responsible for the decrease in swelling so quickly.
Maybe it is the antibiotic, the vet did say that Clindamycin is what she likes to treat infections in the bone with, and has had good results.
She also concurred that generally they would lance and scrape out an infection of this nature, but she does think the animal is too small.
Incidentally this was not our regular reptile vet but she is in the same office and has experience with chameleons. I liked her.

-Brad

 

[kinyonga]

I've never dealt with an infection in the leg of a chameleon so young as yours...so maybe its different the way the chameleon handles it? Or maybe its just an easier bacteria to kill than normal?? No matter what the reason is...I'm glad to see that its working!

How's the other one with the weird leg?? Does it use the leg or is it always in a strange position?

 

[summoner12]

Glad things are back on track for ya.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

So the leg infection has continued to improve, but is not completely gone.
Compare to the clutch mate in the pic ... the leg is almost down to normal.
We have finished the round of antibiotics that was prescribed. I am going to speak with the vet tomorrow and see if we might need to extend this time.
The leg looks a bit like the Tin Man with all the silver sulfadiazine cream that's been applied to it.
I have become quite skilled at injecting antibiotic into crickets (by the way)
He is in great shape and growing at a steady rate ... just want to get this cleared up.
Anywho .... just an update.

-Brad

 

[kinyonga]

Its quite an improvement! It would likely be a good idea to extend the antibiotics for a while longer.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Its quite an improvement! It would likely be a good idea to extend the antibiotics for a while longer.

That's what I think.
Thanks Lynda.

-Brad

 

[Syn]

I have become quite skilled at injecting antibiotic into crickets (by the way)

Could you share some tips?

Glad to hear it's better. Hope it doesn't come back later.

 

[NewOwner]

glad its doing better brad
Hope your chameleons leg gets better soon.
He looks cute sitting there with the two other chameleons.

 

[jojackson]

I must've missed another thread? What happened to the little guy Brad? Hope he mends fast. Bite from a cagemate???