KingJulian
New Member
That might work. I don't have one, so I've never tried.
Anyone with any experience wit limb amputation?
- Thread starter Rstuart
- Start date
That is osteomyelitis, otherwise known as septic arthritis, which is an infection of the joint +/- gout. Not metabolic bone disease. That is why the bones are not healing, because bacteria is eating the bones of the joint. Already multiple bones are affected and some are nearly completely gone. Amputation is definitely best at this stage and then the joint can be opened to further evaluate what's going on. It could potentially spread to other sites depending on what's causing it so antibiotics are definitely indicated. I have seen several cases of arm amputation in chameleons and they did very well afterward. There are always surgical risks in older chams, but that wrist is very painful and is not going to heal itself so amputation is best for her.
The bone broke because of the infection in the joint, not the other way around. It's called a pathologic fracture, meaning the pathology (disease already present) weakened the bone and then it broke. We don't always know the cause of these types of infections but they're not altogether uncommon in chameleons. You'd have to sample inside the joint to see if it's fungal or bacterial and then do a culture to grow whatever species of bacteria is growing in there. Once they're progressive, which this one definitely is by the degree of bone loss, the biggest worry is that it can spread through the blood stream to the rest of the body causing a body-wide infection called sepsis.
I think you should proceed with amputation. That unfortunately is her best option. There is forum for a veterinarians and on an identical type of case this is what one of the best reptile vets in the country said in an echo to what two other reptile vet gurus said (I have to leave it anonymous):
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Rstuart
New Member
The vet said shed try to amputate it again next week but wud have to use a stronger sedetive... Which she may not wake up from.... So I'm scared to try again... She was on antibiotics and painkillers... In her full body X-rays the rest of her bones are good(wish I had a pic of them)
That is good that everything else looked fine!
Good luck and definitely keep us updated on her progress and what you decide!
KingJulian
New Member
So sorry your Cham is going through this. Good luck with everything and I'm praying for a speedy recovery 
Any news on her?
Rstuart
New Member
Yes sorry for the late reply I was out of town... I decided to go ahead with the amputation had the $ took her in and half way threw the day the vet called and told me she had to Abort mission he sedated cameal but when trying to put the breathing tube down her throat she kept closing it off and she didn't feel comfortable doing surgery with out it so cameal made it out with all four legs ... She said shed like to try again but with heavier sedation but the risks r much higher and she may not wake from it as horrible as it sounds i don't know what to do I don't wanna pay $400 + dollars just for her to pass on us .. I'm torn n do not know what to do. She is still eatting pooping and getting around as if nothing's wrong
he sedated cameal but when trying to put the breathing tube down her throat she kept closing it off and she didn't feel comfortable doing surgery with out it so cameal made it out with all four legs ... She said shed like to try again but with heavier sedation but the risks r much higher and she may not wake from it as horrible as it sounds i don't know what to do I don't wanna pay $400 + dollars just for her to pass on us .. I'm torn n do not know what to do. She is still eatting pooping and getting around as if nothing's wrong 
