Panther Chameleon with potential broken leg - HELP!

[AMcKnight4]

I had my panther chameleon outside getting some sunshine on a small patio side table so he didn't feel threatened by my dogs & a gust of wind came & blew his cage over. I'm not sure how he may have fallen or been hurt by his ficus tree, but it looks as though his back right leg may be broken. He is able to use it just a little, but not much. His leg looks a little swollen & he has some gray/black spots where it's clear he has been bruised. It is now almost 7pm & there are no emergency vets that see reptiles, so I am asking for anyone's advice in this situation. I am very concerned & not sure what to do.

I am afraid to take him out to get a picture for fear I may hurt him.

Please help!

 

[Ocelot357]

yea you really cant do anything today, but get him to a vet as soon as you can so they can look at it. That way he can determine if its possible for him to heal or not. Try to go to a specialist on reptiles/chameleons if you can.

 

[AACblackout]

Yes get him to a vet asap

 

[Mike Fisher]

If the break is unstable (moves where it broke) you need to stabilize it until you can get him to the vet. A couple wraps of medical tape or even a appropriate sized band aid can suffice.

 

[AMcKnight4]

I'm not sure if it's even broken so I don't want to handle it if I don't have to. It mainly looks really swollen right now, I just didn't know if there was something I could do in the meantime before I take him in.
I managed to take a couple pics. It's hard to tell exactly where on his leg I'm trying to describe because it's covered but it would be the spot where an ankle is.

 

[Mike Fisher]

Looks like a bruise. Breaks get really swollen. Seen quite a few wild caught chams come in with bruises.

Personally, I'd just observe to make sure he is using it normally, see if the color starts coming back etc. If he just lets it hang and won't put weight on it, or if it swells up, I'd get him to the vet asap.

That second photo where the bruise is lower does look pretty swollen to me. The one on the knee and tail does not look as bad.

 

[AMcKnight4]

Thanks for all of the help & feedback! I ended up taking him in to get an X-ray just to be sure & he has a fracture. Dr was going to put on a splint but decided not to at the last minute. Sent me home with some anti inflammatory pain meds.

Thanks again!