Jackson Chameleon with avulsed nail

[opihiman]

I have been reading about this in some of the other forums and info sites. and It finally happened to my Male.1 year old

I noticed to day that he had no claws on his foot. It looks a little swollen but healed over. I tried to put some antibiotic ointment on the area. He's sleeping right now and I don't want to wake him to take some pics but is there any thing else that I should do in the mean time....

How could I tell if it is infected?

Any help would be appreciated...


PIC to be posted in 24hours.

(gotta work)

OPI

 

[opihiman]

Looks like Joe lost his toe nails of his L rear foot. Digits 1 thru 3. I cant get good pics of the wound as he is a little too uncooperative right now and I don't want to stress him out too much.

the toes look a little swollen too. The wound it self appears to be closed but I am still swabbing it with some bactitracin.



Questions:
does it look infected...there is no drainage or pus pocket that I can tell...it does look swollen but I imagine if my nail got pulled out it would be swollen too?

will his claw grow back or is like humans too...wait and see.

Any info will be apreciated.

OPI

 

[opihiman]

More observations: he is drinking water today like normal and still chowing down like normal. Wish the was a way I could fit this Rectal thermometer into his cloaca with out making his eyes bulge more...

Questions:
does it look infected...there is no drainage or pus pocket that I can tell...it does look swollen but I imagine if my nail got pulled out it would be swollen too?

will his claw grow back or is like humans too...wait and see.

Any info will be apreciated.


OPI

 

[mczoo]

Opi

fever from an infection would be a sign of severe illness so stay away from the tailbase.

pictures are a little blurred. i have only seen a few infected toes in pictures. i would keep up the bacitracin and if still concerned see a vet. infection can be detected by both visual as well as tactile means

good luck

Sean

 

[opihiman]

If an infection is coming are there certain signs and Sx that I can watch for?

weakness
lack of grip
dec use of foot
reduced use of limb with WB and climbing

dec appetite


Anything else that i should watch for?

OPI

 

[kinyonga]

IMHO you should take it to a vet and let the vet determine if its infected. In my experience, if the toe is swollen from nail loss, its usually infected. If left untreated it may get into his system and kill him. Also, its important to get the "pus" out and then put the chameleon on a course of antibiotics. If the pus isn't removed then the infection won't likely go away even if the chameleon is put on antibiotics.

 

[dodolah]

More observations: he is drinking water today like normal and still chowing down like normal. Wish the was a way I could fit this Rectal thermometer into his cloaca with out making his eyes bulge more...
OPI

Everybody has given you great advice.. as far as rectal thermometer goes,
you might be interested in investing in this instead:

That cost about 25 bucks.
This thing will make it easier for you and him the next time you need to check your cham's body temp.

 

[merumontanus]

Opi,

Reptiles are poikilothermic-- they cannot "technically" get a fever. They can expose themselves to higher temperatures (which has been shown to be a method of "self treatment" in some lizards), but they cannot generate heat themselves. Thus, your well-intended attempt to use a rectal thermometer to monitor its temperature is unnecessary, and probably very stressful to the animal. Iif you want to check temperature, do so to monitor husbandry parameters (temperature gradient within the cage, etc).

Fabián

 

[opihiman]

Ok everyone....If you were worried about the comment about the rectal thermometer, rest assured that joes eyes are still in his head... It was meant as a joke....

bactitracin has been helping Leg looking normal. appetite doing well and drinking. activity and overall appearance doing well.

I expect to keep up with treatment for the next 2 weeks. Thanks

OPI

 

[JENNODEL]

I know this post is over 10 years old and this is probably a long shot but was wondering what happened to your little friend .Our Jackson just had this happen too. He seems fine, drinking as normal and eating but his toenail is missing and alittle swollen. It's only been 2 days and have put on some antibacterial ointment. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've read on other sites that they heal themselves and just to keep an eye on him? Is this true? Thanks for any help