Is this a burn?

[MattiBee]

As you can tell, its pretty severe whatever it is, but i just want to know if this is a burn and is treated by carefull application of a reptile safe iodine solution (tamodine) or if this is, as previously mentioned in another thread, gangrene?

I have only owned him for 2 days and it was there when i bought him (i did not notice until i took him home though as i was in a rush and had already placed a deposit for him) but i know the shop had heat bulbs above a metal mesh, which the chams could actually get to! So i was under the impression that this is a severe burn from him hanging onto the mesh by his tail (which i had seen him do in the shop)

Help on this subject would be great, any suggestions appreciated

Matt

 

[dodolah]

might be a burn case.. but now seems to start to develop an infection.
you want to visit a vet soon to get that tail nipped off if the infection has become too severe.

 

[millionsofchameleons]

it looks necrotic to me, im sure that bone is done for as well, from what ive seen i think a vet will have to remove that portion and alittle above to keep infection from spreading. after that the cham should be able to get around fine.

 

[lbesok]

Do you know if he was housed with any other chameleons in that shop? To me it looks like trauma, from another cham munching off the tip, or it getting shut in the door or something.

 

[MattiBee]

Since i have posted this, the black tip of his tail has come off (it came off on its own, not by anyone pulling it off) and has started looking cleaner in general. I have applied another bit of tamodine (iodine solution for reptiles) to the tip of his tail and the small affected patches and it does seem to be alot better. I have noted how it looks now and if it gets any worse from now i have a vet ready to make an appointment but they reccomend waiting to see what happened. yes he was housed with 2 others of his size (i did say to the owner that this was a bad idea past 2-3 months).

I will get a picture of his tail tomorrow morning and post it on here to see what you all think as i trust your judgement, but based on my opinion i would say he looks alot better.

Fingers crossed he feels better in himself.

 

[chamlover]

I got a male veiled that had a similiar problem. He got necrosis on his casque and all done the side of his back. His i believe was due to improper shedding. The vet had recommended baths with oil to help remove it and then gave me a solution to help it heal. It worked wonders, i couldn't believe how quickly he healed. I'm sorry i don't remember what it was, but it was liquid and he said it was the same stuff they used on snakes because of course they couldn't sew them up usually either. I still have him now and he is doing great. Doesn't look tht good because of all the lost pieces, but he is still my favorite. Good luck and just keep a close eye to make sure no infection gets in.

Debby

 

[chamlover]

Forgot to mention. Have you contacted the store where you purchased him.?I know alot of the big box pet stores do have a guarantee or usually do. It wouldn't hurt to contact them. I would do it now just incase he does need more medical treatment. They all have their own vets and could possibly get you a discount. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Debby

 

[MattiBee]

update

Thanks for your suggestions. Its later than i said it would be but heres an update on his tail. I think it looks 100 times better after treating it with tamodine and keeping it clean.

 

[MattiBee]

would like to know if anyone thinks that its healing well, it looks like it but i just wanted to know if its likely anything else will happen?

 

[kinyonga]

It does look a lot better. The only thing is that in cases like this you never know for sure if any bacteria got in. I have had a chameleon lose the tip of a tail and have everything go well and then other cases where the chameleon will get sick later. Its one of those cases where it might be better to have a course of antibiotics or it might be just as well to go without it. Any vets have an opinion on this??

My almost 7 year old veiled female had the end of her tail nipped by a sibling at a very young age. She had no antibiotics and as you can see has had a good long life!

 

[Dankmeleon]

are there any vets on this site?

 

[MattiBee]

well i have been using a reptile iodine so hopefully it stopped bacteria getting in as i did it twice daily and i still am doing it. It seems to have healed nicely at the end

Thanks for your reply

 

[rcmike]

I'm no expert but it looks pretty good to me.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

are there any vets on this site?

There are two or three.

-Brad

 

[MattiBee]

yes if a vet could share their views as to if they think its worth going to a vets still or if it is likely i will just be told to use iodine. I don't mind going to the vet but they are very expensive in england and like anyone, i don't want to spend £60 just for a consultation to get told im already doing what i should do lol. thanks for all the replies.