Is this MBD?

[CloudsMystique]

My chameleon's front left foot seems like it's weak or something. When he sleeps, it hangs down off of the vine while his other three feet stay on top of it. When he's walking around, he moves that foot around for a while before he sets it down (like he's trying to find the right spot to put it). If I pick him up, he grabs my finger with that foot and it feels just as strong as the other three. He's eating, drinking, and pooping normally.

He's only starting doing these things within the past week.

 

[Miss Lily]

Photos of his legs/foot would help. I have noticed that mine 'feel around' before finding the right place on a branch, etc for a good foot hold, but they only do it with their back legs that I have seen. I don't have any experience with MBD but I know that pics would help other owners who have.

 

[CloudsMystique]

Photos of his legs/foot would help. I have noticed that mine 'feel around' before finding the right place on a branch, etc for a good foot hold, but they only do it with their back legs that I have seen. I don't have any experience with MBD but I know that pics would help other owners who have.

Okay, I'll get some ASAP. I've seen him "feel around" before, but he's doing it a LOT more with his front left than with any of the others.

 

[Miss Lily]

Have you checked the sole of his foot? Maybe he has a sore patch on it? What species is he? I remember reading that Melleri (I think) can suffer from sore feet from the branches being too small in diameter.

 

[CloudsMystique]

Have you checked the sole of his foot? Maybe he has a sore patch on it? What species is he? I remember reading that Melleri (I think) can suffer from sore feet from the branches being too small in diameter.

Nope, there's nothing on the foot... No sores, wounds, redness, etc. And he's a panther.

 

[pssh]

This isn't a form of leaf dance right? Is it swolen at all?

 

[chamlover]

usually if it is MBD there will be some malformation of the foot. That is why everyone wants to see a pic of the leg or foot. Is he still doing it? Dont wait too long if you think there is a problem.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Any swelling or bumps?

What do you feed the feeders?

 

[kinyonga]

Could be gout...could be an infection...a vet visit is in order.

 

[summoner12]

This is lenny.... she woke up JUST as I was taking the pic of her sleeping... but I am posting it to show how sometimes lazy chams will sleep sometimes...

And here is Little Chris...

Sometimes they just like to sleep like that... ya know.. you come home, kick your feet up after work.. they just hang their feet. I mean they are on their feet allll day... oh and night LOL

 

[sallyb]

Gizzy sometimes sleepswith one or two feet off her branch too so hopefully it is just your chams way of vegging out.

Brilliant pics of Lenny She obviously loves bedtime, lol.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."When he's walking around, he moves that foot around for a while before he sets it down (like he's trying to find the right spot to put it)"...this is why I don't think its just a sleeping position.

 

[moody232002]

Mista is having the same symptoms at the moment and is having ongoing vet care..
MBD was ruled out by his xray.
At first we thought he may have sprained his ankle.
Everything is pointing to an infection,but he does have a sore sole on his back foot.
best to get it checked out.

 

[dodolah]

We can assume until the cows come home. A simple picture of the chameleon can clarify a lot of things.
Make sure you have the questioned limb(s) in a clear view.

meanwhile, it's best to have an appointment with the vet as suggested by others.

 

[moody232002]

this is how Mista is holding up his leg at the moment you can just about see the little paper cut type sores on his foot

sorry not hijacking the thread just offering a comparison leg hold lol

 

[CloudsMystique]

Thanks for the replies and pictures. I probably wouldn't think anything of his symptoms if it weren't the same leg every time - and only that leg. That's what making me suspicious.

Anyway, I'm out of town right now, but I will get the pictures ASAP. Most likely sometime tomorrow.

 

[Carlton]

Great pics! One of my melleri slept with all 4 feet dangling like that much of the time. Only her tail hanging on. She reminded me of photos of lions or leopards asleep in a tree after the feast.

 

[CloudsMystique]

Okay, sorry, I ended up just getting back today.


Here are the pictures:
http://i50.tinypic.com/4zwccj.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/t6fcr7.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/iz6fpy.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/2gx4l89.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/ejbx9e.jpg


He seems to have gotten worse while I was away, so I'm going to go ahead and take him to the vet Monday. I couldn't find one that was open this late today or at all tomorrow.

 

[dodolah]

I can see a very small curving.. but, the leg, imho, is not in a bad condition at all.
If you do plan to take him to the vet (even if it turned out to be false alarm.. it is not a bad idea to have a check up anyway), I recommend taking him to:

Ivan Alfonso, DVM
Kirkman Area Animal Clinic
5633 Metrowes
Orlando, FL 32811
Tel: (407) 295-7547
Fax: (407) 293-6331

That is if you live nearby.

 

[CloudsMystique]

I can see a very small curving.. but, the leg, imho, is not in a bad condition at all.
If you do plan to take him to the vet (even if it turned out to be false alarm.. it is not a bad idea to have a check up anyway), I recommend taking him to:

Ivan Alfonso, DVM
Kirkman Area Animal Clinic
5633 Metrowes
Orlando, FL 32811
Tel: (407) 295-7547
Fax: (407) 293-6331

That is if you live nearby.

Thanks! I live a little over an hour away, in Tampa, but it's not a bad drive and one I've made four times already this week.