Hurt leg on Newly Imported Wild Caught

[jajeanpierre]

I bought a Trioceros quadricornis quadricornis just before the New Year. He was imported as a wild caught a couple of weeks before.

I've noticed he has been hanging one leg when he basks. He seems to use it well. i can't seem to find any swelling.

I only handle him to medicate him with worming meds or to weigh him once a week.

Today, I thought that right leg looked swollen, so I had a good look. When I turned him over, he had quite a significant swelling on the femur close to the hip. I have no idea if it is an old injury or a result of his capture and rough treatment throughout the import/export process. He's pretty banged up, with bite marks over much of his body.

I was thinking of having the vet take a picture of the leg just so I would know exactly what is wrong with the leg. As I said, he seems to use it pretty normally. I only notice a problem when he is basking and drapes that leg a bit. There isn't anything that would be done, unless it is something that isn't orthopedic, but that is probably pretty unlikely.

How do they do x-rays? Do they give them a light anesthetic?

Thanks.

 

[Montium]

Could be any number of things, best to get it to a vet and get it tested. Often with WC they have many things they hide, like birds do, injury, parasites etc and the stress of shipping generally triggers the parasites to go crazy. They then lose the ability to mask any injury and often decline quickly. This isn't something you should wait on or treat yourself unless you have the meds and experience doing it. Some folks do and I have no idea what your level of experience is. If you have a good reptile vet in the area I would get an appointment asap.

 

[pigglett79]

When my boys have been x rayed they never sedated them. They seem to be able to get x rays without too much stress. Could be a number of things that cause a leg to swell. If it's an injury it may need some treatment to resolve.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Could be any number of things, best to get it to a vet and get it tested. Often with WC they have many things they hide, like birds do, injury, parasites etc and the stress of shipping generally triggers the parasites to go crazy. They then lose the ability to mask any injury and often decline quickly. This isn't something you should wait on or treat yourself unless you have the meds and experience doing it. Some folks do and I have no idea what your level of experience is. If you have a good reptile vet in the area I would get an appointment asap.

What tests do you suggest?

Yes, I do have a good reptile vet.

Thanks so much for your advice.

 

[Montium]

I'd do blood work and an x-ray on that leg. They can be roughly treated while being captured and fractures are not uncommon.