melleri foot problem!

[Jimturner]

just picked up a brand new import juvi mellers . noticed it was favouring its back right foot.. upon close inspection it looks raw, almost like a rub. could be almost anything. some sort of injury from importation to the dreaded "melleri FUNGUS" question is, would poly-sporin be ok on reptile skin or would it aggravate the injury as i acclimate the little bugger till his first vet visit? any input would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[summoner12]

I say use it. Where are you located? melleri injure fairly easily... especially burning easily. Make sure there aren't any injuries to the bones as well. if you see raw skin, treat it with the ointment.

If you can, post pics.

Here are some pics of Henry's feet... he had some discoloring because of the branches he would roost on...

after a shed his feet lost the spotting and he went back to normal... I think the vines I was using were dyeing his feet... but the pink is from holding small branches. Be sure to give your melleri perches and vines large enough for his feet. He shouldn't be able to have his toes touching when gripping a vine.

his rear feet can go around my thumb... hes kinda big

 

[Jimturner]

Thanks for your input! I'm located in Calgary Alberta. So I went with the poly-sporin the last few nights & seeing improvement. Much more active. Hope nothings broken! I'll check. I'm thinking it might be a bite during importation. Still favours that foot though, dangles it when sleeping. Makes it easy to aply ointment though. Will try to post pictures asap. Thanks

 

[summoner12]

What kind of lighting are you giving him? what kind of cage?

 

[chams1]

Thanks for your input! I'm located in Calgary Alberta. So I went with the poly-sporin the last few nights & seeing improvement. Much more active. Hope nothings broken! I'll check. I'm thinking it might be a bite during importation. Still favours that foot though, dangles it when sleeping. Makes it easy to aply ointment though. Will try to post pictures asap. Thanks

As a side note, and not saying that nothing is wrong with it's foot/leg, but my melleri often dangle their feet while sleeping. But I think a picture of the problem area would do some good here.

 

[Jimturner]

caging for new melleri

i currently house the mellri in a 2x2x4 screen cage that sits on a metal stand with a large plastic tub mounted in it, making the actual inteirior dimensions 2x2x5. the top sits at 7 feet. general lighting is provided by a 125 watt large format cfl in a large dome fixture,(both from a hydroponics shop) along with a 125 watt powersun in a dome for UVB. lights are on timers with a 12 hour cycle 9am to 9pm. Ive read that cfls are linked with eye problems but have kept panthers & veileds for years using this type of light combo without any trouble. lots of light and the plants love it. a large ficus, a pothos & some fairly thick (bigger than my thumb) bendy branches for roosting. his main basking site is aprox 6 feet off the ground and the bulb is aprox 15'' above that. the temp @ the basking site sits in the high 80s & the ambient room temp in the mid 70s with a drop into the 60s @ night. hydration is provided by a mistking misting 15 min @ 9:45 am, 5 min @ 1pm and 15 min @ 7pm, using RO water. the average humidity in the room hovers around 40% with spikes upwards of 80% after misting. all this water drains into buckets and is used to water my plants. i also keep a pair of blue bar ambilobi in 2 identical cages. although the melleri was an impulsive purchase, i was buying bugs as it was unpacked & just couldnt resist! i had just compleated this cage for a young (6 month) male veiled who is ready to move into a large home. i am currently puting together a slightly smaller 18x18x36 screen cage on a similar stand so it will be 18x18x48 inside & 7 feet tall with the same lights etc for my female panther

 

[Jimturner]

wow long winded or what?

new at this and ran out of room!! any way, the female panther will move into the smaller cage and the juvi male veiled will move into the larger one. the mellers foot is looking much better. i guess im off to the vet with some poo this week, kinda hoping i dont have to haul the melleri along with me.so my new concern is maybe its too wet for my panthers liking as ive turned up the misting schedule to acomadate the mellers thist. guess im gonna have to buy the melleri its own mistking and return the panthers to their own schedule. im still trying to figure out how to post pictures. Jim