Research thread: Bone infections in jaw. Part 1

[OldChamKeeper]

Hello all,

I rarely come out of my cave. Truth be said I don't like most people on the internet and just keep to myself. However the internet is useful for gathering data and information and I need to gather some data for something I'm working on.

Here goes:

Have you ever had a chameleon seen by a vet for a swelling on the jaw that was diagnosed to be a bone infection? If yes then continue, if not then please don't add anything to the thread.

If yes, please list the following only if you have good records / memory to work off of:

1) Types of feeders you fed and how often.
2) Did you hand feed or cup feed most of these items.
3) Are you aware of what caused the infection?
4) If you are not aware of what caused the infection, best guess then.
5) Was the infection cultured and if so what type of bacteria was it.
6) Treatment given
7) Did the animal survive or if not then how long did it survive.

I'm working on collecting data at this point. There is no better place to find hundreds of experienced Cham keepers than here so this is where I'll start.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I saw a patient a few months ago for osteomyelitis of the mandibles. I will fill in what I can for him.

1) primarily crickets and some superworms, gutloading was mediocre at best
2) Free fed primarily
3) there was stomatitis present so it may have started as bacterial stomatitis and spread to the underlying bone, or it may have been a systemic spread of infection and then to the gingiva secondarily. By the time he presented to me it was fairly advanced. No known wounds or trauma that would have compromised tissue integrity to allow infection to set in.
4) see above
5) the client would not allow culture
6) Ceftazidime and metronidazole for broad spectrum systemic bacterial coverage as well as chlorhexidine topical wash and debridement
7) he died 3 weeks after treatment was started

Additional information: male, 5 year old panther chameleon with no previous health problem history. Presented for mandibular swelling as well as decreasing appetitie and activity level. On radiographs several areas of abnormal bone texture - the swellings of the jaw showed both proliferation and lysis.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Thanks Ferret. Perfect.

Keep it coming folks. To date nobody has really tried to compile data on this particular ailment and from what I'm hearing it seems somewhat common.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Just a /bump. I don't want this to disappear quite yet

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Another bump. Still just waiting for info.

 

[Chuck G]

I rescued a Parsonii pair a few years ago with similar issues. I will have to dig up my notes and vet data to be accurate. Will post soon!

 

[carol5208]

Here is a thread about Jannb's Veild Luie. He had a bone infection in his jaw also. It is a very long thread, but it does have info in it on the subject you are looking for!
https://www.chameleonforums.com/update-luie-s-health-issues-91238/

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Thanks Carol. I've looked at luie's thread before and it's not related to what I'm digging into.

Dr Greek informed me that this infection is common in Parson's and some other Montane types like Quads. However he doesn't have a cause either. Apparently nobody knows what causes this.

 

[kinyonga]

I had a female Parsons with an infection in the bones in the mouth. However its debatable if the oral infection came first or the infection she had in he sinus and brain area came first. She had the infection when I got her. A large section of the dental arcade fell out in the vet's hand when the infection was being removed. Because the infection was so far spread it was impossible to get rid of it and she died about year later. She had several surgeries trying to get rid of it. The bacteria was pseudamonas mainly. Not sure of the antibiotic....likely baytril.

She was fed every second day with gutloaded dusted crickets, superworms, silkworms, a few waxworms....free-ranged in her cage.