Injured leg

[nadadumblawn]

Hi, I have a 10 month old Ambilobe. I let him cruse around my house when I'm home. He is extremely social and loves being out of his enclosure. Two nights ago, he managed to rummage though the underside of my fish tank. He was not tangled, but the cords were everywhere. I put him back and now his upper thigh area on his rear right leg is VERY swollen. He can still grip great with his foot, but he lets his leg dangle about half the time. Both nights he has slept using his leg, but leans away from it a bit. He is eating, drinking, and pooping just fine. I can't necessarily afford to take him to the vet, but was thinking of splinting his leg. Any thoughts? I felt around, and the actual bone feels pretty much like the other rear leg, (a little hard to be completely sure due to swelling). I have read that some people have used toothpicks or straws to create a splint?

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your cham, but please don't try and splint his leg or attempt to self-diagnose what could be wrong with him, you could end up doing more harm than good, despite your best intentions.

I would give it another day, but if your chameleon's leg is still swollen then and he is dangling it, then you really do need to get him to a herp vet, if you can.

 

[carol5208]

Chameleons will dangle their legs if they are in pain, so most likely that is the case. If the swelling does not go down, I would take him to a qualified vet and have his leg xrayed or checked out. I would not splint it, as you have no idea what you are dealing with. See if you vet can work out a payment plan.

 

[Liamandkate]

hurt leg(maybe)

hello I'm just wondering if my cham has a hurt back leg he walks on it normal, just want to know if i should bring him to a vet or not heres some pics.

 

[Liamandkate]

here more pictures

 

[Lazy Boy]

That sure is a weird looking ambilobe. Are you sure he's not a veiled? Hope his swelling goes down.

 

[zlew]

thats a different person who posted the pictures. Liamandkate, he looks fine he's just shedding. A veiled right? Nadadumblawn, I would get him to the vet and post a picture as well so the experts on here can see exactly what's going on with his leg.

 

[zlew]

Lazy boy it's a different person

 

[Lazy Boy]

Lazy boy it's a different person

Thanks I seen it the first time you posted it. Carry on.

 

[Liamandkate]

thats a different person who posted the pictures. Liamandkate, he looks fine he's just shedding. A veiled right? Nadadumblawn, I would get him to the vet and post a picture as well so the experts on here can see exactly what's going on with his leg.

Thank you so much I was just getting worrid

 

[nadadumblawn]

Thank you so much for the tips! He is already improving. Swelling is almost gone. He is using his leg while in motion, and then lets it dangle half the time while still... He is still eating and drinking just fine and his color is great! I will try and post pictures later today.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

In that case it doesn't sound like a break - he may have got it tangled in the wires under your fishtank and just strained it. Good to hear that he is improving, but to be honest, if it were I, if he is still dangling his leg in a week or so, a vet visit would be a good idea, just in case.