Swollen feet on my Jackson's

[Monica86]

Looking for suggestions... my Jackson's chameleon's front and rear feet on his right side are swollen. I just got him (Rhyno) from the reptile show in San Diego in June and he was just fine. This must have occurred sometime during the last 4 weeks. I took him to a vet last week - not my usual herp vet, Dr. Greek - and they took an xray of his body. The vet said that his bone density was not good and that maybe he broke his toes and got an infection. She gave me calcium supplement and metacam. I also requested Batril three days later because she did say that it could be an infection yet gave me no meds for it. /
Anyone ever come across this kind of thing before?

Would love to get some input from you experts.

 

[kinyonga]

Infections is toes need to be cleaned out properly and a culture and sensitivity test needs to be done to determine what antibiotic the chameleon needs to be put on.

 

[TonyRockyHorror]

what are you keeping him in? I've seen some toe/foot injuries from climbing on cage material.

 

[Monica86]

Re:swollen feet

he is in a screen cage with ficus plants inside

 

[Eyal]

looks like a tumour :O but im guessing infektion

 

[BocaJan]

You really need to go back to the vet and tell her she misdiagnosed and that the infection needs to be cleaned out and cultured. I don't think she did your cham justice in just giving you calcium and an x-ray. Does anyone else think the x-ray was not warranted?

I think that sometimes vets don't have a clue, so assume calcium deficiency and MBD. I sure wish there were more good reptile vets out there to help our little friends.

 

[opihiman]

Looking for suggestions... my Jackson's chameleon's front and rear feet on his right side are swollen. I just got him (Rhyno) from the reptile show in San Diego in June and he was just fine. This must have occurred sometime during the last 4 weeks. I took him to a vet last week - not my usual herp vet, Dr. Greek - and they took an xray of his body. The vet said that his bone density was not good and that maybe he broke his toes and got an infection. She gave me calcium supplement and metacam. I also requested Batril three days later because she did say that it could be an infection yet gave me no meds for it. /
Anyone ever come across this kind of thing before?

Would love to get some input from you experts.

Looks like your cham has a big owwey. LOL

It looks like your have an abcess there. Since he has it on more than one foot, it sounds like it was a good idea to get the antibiotics. You may also consider soaking his feet in some kind of antibiotic solution.

How long has he had the injury? If it has been awhile it might be a good idea to call and make a follow up appt. But it also sounds like you are still concerned anyway. One more thing you can do is call Dr Greek (?), and review what your previous DVM told you what should be done. Your previous DVM may be right on top of it.

Hope your cham is doing better ad hope this helps.

OPI

 

[Sepioteuthis]

I agree with Kinyonga and Bocajan that those toes need to be opened up and cleaned. Whatever the cause you're likely dealing with an infection and since it's already in 2 toes it could be systemic.
Personally I would keep him on the Batryl in the meantime. As far as antibiotics go it's relatively safe and it's effective against a lot of common household bacteria. In addition, it's a bad idea to end an antibiotics course early (less than 10 days) because this can make the bacteria more resistant to the drug.
Like with all meds, make sure to give him lots of water.

good luck with the little guy!

Suzanne

 

[Dave Weldon]

...I took him to a vet last week - not my usual herp vet, Dr. Greek...

Howdy Monica,

While you are waiting for Dr. Greek to open his new location this November; if you want to try another Vet, there have been good reports about Dr. Stein at:

Dr. Shipp's Animal Hospital
251 N. Foothill Rd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Dr. Stein has been treating chameleons and other reptiles for quite a while. He's the one with the license plate: LIZRD DR.

 

[Monica86]

Thank you all for your advice. I talked to Dr. Greek at the reptile show in Anaheim this weekend about the problem and he told me that I should ask for the baytril and he, too, said that it is possible that the feet might need to be lanced. I really don't want to take him back to the same vet because I didn't think she knew what she was talking about. Does anyone have a vet referral that may be closer to Long Beach?