Cham fell, looks broken :/

[darthink]

Hi everyone,

Currently in the search for available vets, but wanted to get any opinions here. My chameleon fell and got tangled into a little net in her cage. I'm assuming maybe she broke her leg or cut her circulation off, and now I'm scared the leg will have to be amputated.

When I got home this afternoon, that's how I found her. It's really swollen and she bites when it's touched. Anyone have any experience with circulation or broken legs? :/

Thanks

 

[laurie]

Get the Cham to the vet ASAP. The blood flow is blocked for sure. I can't tell if it is broke. But if the blood flow is not restored, I would hope little hope for the leg. jmo

 

[darthink]

All the vets are closed that accept reptiles.. :/ I guess the only thing to do is wait till Monday. Perhaps get her some pain meds.

If the leg was amputated, would that be alright? Has anyone heard of 3 legged Chameleons?

 

[carol5208]

What about an emergency vet in your area??? I would remove the net. Why do you have it in there?

 

[SaintJimmy]

no options here. you can do better than that.

research and find a vet that takes emergencies. it doesn't matter if you have to drive for an hour, your cham needs a vet. being lazy and having it amputated is less likely for your cham to survive and live a good life.

 

[darthink]

Too bad I've already done my research and there's NO ONE in all of North Carolina to help her. I've even tried personally contacting specialists on their personal phone numbers via people I know, and that person is not one but TWO hours away.

See? I'm trying to help her as best as I can, but it's Saturday, and no one in the south seems to be in business on the weekends. I'm in Charlotte, NC or Statesville, NC region if anyone thinks they know someone.

 

[darthink]

FYI, the doctor replied and said he doesn't think it's swollen. He said that I can bring her Monday for radiography and he can decide what shell need from there. She might be able to keep her leg. He said that apart from her leg she appears healthy, shell be okay till Monday.. Just make sure she doesn't fall again. He might lance it and give her some antibiotics to prevent infection. He's pretty sure she'll live if it doesn't stress her too much.

So that's good news!

 

[carol5208]

your vet saw that and does not think it looks swollen? Did he see the same pic that we are looking at? If so, I think he needs glasses. Both the ankle and the foot looks swollen to me. If he did not think it looks swollen, then what to you mean "apart from her leg" she looks healthy. I am confused??

 

[darthink]

The swelling has went down, different pictures were sent. She's moving around more and the leg is much less swollen, so the doc said they'd see her on Monday.

 

[carol5208]

The swelling has went down, different pictures were sent. She's moving around more and the leg is much less swollen, so the doc said they'd see her on Monday.

well that is good! Let us know how she does at the vet on Monday. And remove that net!!!

 

[Baksmurf]

Is his other back leg and foot swollen as well? Maybe it's just the camera angle but it looks unusually large too. Hope all goes well at the vet.

 

[carol5208]

Is his other back leg and foot swollen as well? Maybe it's just the camera angle but it looks unusually large too. Hope all goes well at the vet.

you are right. I went back and looked at the photo. It does look weird and looks like there is a bump on the side of the foot. Could just be the photo and angle.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Two hours away is worth it to help your cham.

 

[Baksmurf]

I definitely think she needs to be seen by a vet. I also think it's interesting with the pic that she's not putting any weight on her back legs, just laying on the branch with two swollen legs and feet. Did you actually find her in the net or just assume? There is, I am guessing, some kind of inflammitory reaction or edema going on. I hope your cham is ok and please let us know what the vet says.

 

[Psychobunny]

How does her leg look today?
Can you post a new pic?
Is she walking?

Chams are able to take a fall w/o injury, but if she got tangled up in the net, she may have panicked and struggled to get free.
Get rid of it, if you haven't already.

 

[carol5208]

How is your chameleon feeling today? Is her other foot ok? Myself and the other member noticed it did not look right from the picture you posted.

 

[ridgebax1]

I agree that both legs look odd. How old is she and does she have a laying bin? I thought I read somewhere that an eggbound chameleon can have issues with their legs as a result of holding onto their eggs? Either that or something more serious such as MBD or gout. Those would be the two that come to mind. It might be beneficial to complete the how to ask for help form that is in the sticky at the top of the health clinic forum page.