bump in between toes Urgent?

[Malachi]

My jackson chameleon has a bump between his left foot toes that was not there before. Is this something a vet should check out, please help. Below are pictures of my otherwise very healthy Jacksons chameleon. Picture is just a little after getting him, and about 5 months later.

 

[Carlton]

Probably an infection or abscess. Check the sole of his foot to look for cuts or other injuries. Also check the base of the claw. Possibly he snagged his claw on the cage screen and partially pulled it out. It happens. If there is no open wound in the skin a topical antibiotic won't reach the infection, so you may need a vet to open up the abscess, clean it out, and put him on a systemic antibiotic. Herp abscesses don't drain as easily as mammals' do. The material inside isn't liquid, its more like cheese. If you happen to end up with Baytril (a very commonly used broad spectrum antibiotic) be sure you hydrate him VERY well. Its hard on the kidneys.

 

[Malachi]

thanks, I'll take him to a vet soon to have it examined, glad its not something too harmful, will the toe fully heal if it was snagged, or will the nail just fall out

 

[KLowery88]

If it is a snagged nail, and he's fond of climbing the screen, you might look into rigging up some garden fencing or wider screen on the interior of the cage to spare his other toes.

 

[Carlton]

thanks, I'll take him to a vet soon to have it examined, glad its not something too harmful, will the toe fully heal if it was snagged, or will the nail just fall out

Hard to say if the nail will fall off or not. If the nailbed was damaged the claw will probably drop off and won't regrow. If the nailbed heals it may be OK. Again, there might be some other injury to the toe, so inspect it closely. Watch the swelling. If it gets too large he could lose the entire toe. If the infection spreads farther he could lose part of his foot.