Sore on Panther Chams foot

[Kipsky]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - I have a Panther Chameleon that has been in my care for a little over a year.
Handling - I handle him about once every other day so he doesn't stress out.
Feeding - I am feeding him crickets a few every day depending but I leave extra in his feeder cup for when he feels like snacking
Supplements - I dust them with calcium powder W/O Vit D
Watering - I have honestly not witnessed my chameleon drinking. But I have the Monsoon misting system that will mist every few hours for about 10-15 seconds.
Fecal Description - My little guys has average brown/dark poops that appear moist with some white coloration too. He has never been tested for any parasites.
History - I had him since he was very young and he has had no prior medical conditions. He appears to be very happy and healthy with the exception of his foot.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - It is a screen reptibreeze cage 16x16x30 I plan on moving him to a custom made cage with the dimensions of a min 24x24x48
Lighting - I got by the daylight outside once it starts getting dark I turn the light off. Its an exoterra uvb 100 buld.
Temperature - I have a therm at the top near the basking lamp and at the bottom. Bottom I try to keep around the low 80-82 and the basking area I keep around 88-89
Humidity - I am using the monsoon misting system to keep up the humidity. I also use a Petco Reptile Habitat Humidity Gauge. I try and keep it around the 50-55 mark
Plants - I am not using live plants at this time.
Placement - I have the cage lifted on a night stand so it is not on the floor also I do not have any fans in the room he is in.
Location - I am located in Pennsylvania

Current Problem - My current issue is that my poor little guy has a hurt foot. I will show you before and after pics the before pic is the one with the large scab and lots of brown. Unfortunately the vet is pretty far from me that will take him on short notice and when i first noticed the problem the Pope was in town and half the roads were completely closed. So a few breeders informed me that neosporin W/O the pain reliever would help him greatly which is what I have been doing. Understanding chameleons take a long time I heal I wanted to get some opinions on if you guys think he needs an emergency vet visit or will he be ok with continued cleaning of the area and neosporin? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi I'm really sorry about your chams foot. Im finding it really tough to tell from the pictures if the foot is getting better or not but it does seem that the scab has come off. How long has his foot been that way?

To me it doesn't look healed but from your perspective you would be able to tell If it's getting better or worse. The area looks moist. Is that from the ointment you're putting on him or are you noticing that it could be getting ***** or infected? You might need something stronger if it is getting infected because it can become septic and effect his whole body. This is what I have at home. It's a antibacterial eye cream but it also works great for small scratches and cuts. You can get it without a prescription at most feed stores. This is where I got mine.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/terramycin opthalmic ointment
I would also wash the wound with betadine, which can be sold in drugstores and feed stores, first then apply the ointment.

Cuts can get infected really quickly in chameleons. You need to make sure that his environment is very clean with no substrate that he can walk on and that his feces are picked up ASAP so he doesn't walk on it.

Make sure that while he's healing you are feeding him a variety feeders that are very well gut loaded (you didn't mention any gut load you are using?) so he is getting the nutrition he needs to heal.
Also you should be giving him Calcium with D3 twice a month. Calcium without D3 everyday and a Vitimin supplement twice a month.

Hopefully this helps but I would always advise taking him to the vet to make sure it's not getting infected.

 

[Kipsky]

Thank you so much for the info I will be sure to place an order for that medication immediately. And yes I had put some neosporin on prior to the pictures which is completely my fault. I will be sure to wash the wound very thoroughly as well prior to his next ointment treatment. Thank you for the advice I will call my local animal hospital and see if they are aware of a good Herpetologist near me. Thank you for the advice I greatly appreciate it. I will be keeping you posted on the findings and how my little guy is doing!

 

[JaxyGirl]

Definitely keep us posted. I hope your little guy gets better soon!!

 

[kinyonga]

If the toe is swollen then it's likely infected. When a chameleon has pus its always hick like cottage cheese and needs to be cleaned out properly by a veranda a culture and sensitivity test done to determine the best medication to treat it with.

 

[junglefries]

If the toe is swollen then it's likely infected. When a chameleon has pus its always hick like cottage cheese and needs to be cleaned out properly by a veranda a culture and sensitivity test done to determine the best medication to treat it with.

Yeah, it really is a gnarly green thick pus when lanced. Antibiotic ointment and betadine is what I use. You really have to be diligent with it and see a vet if unexperienced. Even with experience, a vet is recommended.