Help! Amputation on lizard?

diabolique · 05-08-03, 11:47 AM

Hi everyone,

I need help. One of my baby waterdragons got his toe munched on by a cagemate. It seems to be half on half off. I am not sure what to o abput it. Should i amputate it? If I do how does one go about doing that.The baby is like 3 months old so i think it would be easy to cut off. I just don't know if this is a good idea or not.

Other than that he is doing well. He is fat, alert and eating like a little piggy.
I am just concerned that he will get his toe caught on something and end up hurting himself again or more. These cwd babies have gotten into the habbit of hanging upsidedown on the screen top like anoles.

Please help and give advice on what to do.

Thanks

diabolique

Lizzy001 · 05-08-03, 11:56 AM

i think you should take it to the vet and there he or she will help you with your problem. Dont try and get it off yourself!

Baby "G" · 05-08-03, 12:36 PM

I don't have any kind of experience with lizards...yet.....but I really think you should bring your poor guy in to see a vet soon. They will be able to give you the best advice and help him out more then any of us can.

marisa · 05-08-03, 12:36 PM

Agreed.

Many problems can arise from this issue. You must let a vet look at the foot.

For one, it could be infected. For two more bones might be broken that you cannot see. He needs anti-biotics most likely and the toe removed by a qualified vet.

Marisa

V.hb · 05-08-03, 01:20 PM

Dont worry too much, lizards are incredibly tough. he probably doesnt even feel it. It'l probably just fall off on its own. I would keep the cage very clean and apply polysporin too the toe every day until it falls off. depending on the wound it will most likely fall off.

eyespy · 05-08-03, 03:05 PM

Well, he can definitely feel it and I disagree strongly about just keeping it clean. Bitewounds can have bacteria enter the bloodstream directly and not going to a vet risks a systemic infection. The lizard needs to be evaluated to see if it needs antibiotics to prevent sepsis.

There is also the risk of gangrene from letting a digit fall off on its own.

BoidKeeper · 05-08-03, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Should i amputate it?

Would you amputate a dog or cats toe?

Quote:

If I do how does one go about doing that.

They go to veterianary college.

My advice, go see someone who has gone.
Trevor

diabolique · 05-08-03, 03:33 PM

Ok just some clarification here.

1) The lizard is about the size of an green anole, with a longer tail and a different shaped head but the body size is currently smaller than an adult male green anole.

2) The thickness of his toe is about the thickness of a paper clip.

3) I but him in some warm water to take a look at it and to clean the wound when it happened. About 4 days ago now. It seemed to be superficial at the time.

4) The wound itself seems to be healing on its own it has a scab over it. But his toe looks funny compared to the rest of his toes and the rest of his cagemates.

I am going to call a vet when i get home. Awhile back (like 2 years ago) I had an issue with an anole of a similar size i took him to the vet they looked at him said that i should just let the digit fall off on its own. I paid $50 for 10 minutes and things were no different for the lizard than before I went.[BTW he turned out to be fine]

It was just suggested to me that i post here to get peoples opinions on a course of action. If this turns out to be the case again. What can I do for the baby to make this process better?

thanks,

diabolique

V.hb · 05-08-03, 04:12 PM

eyespy, I understand your views however its a hatchling chinese water dragon, its so tiny chances are theres nothing that can be done anyways. These are harty harty lizards, i can almost guarentee that the animal will be fine. Things like that happen all the time with wild reptiles.

Think about it, beardies are born and nip off eachothers tails. yeah itl hurt for a second but they are fine in the long run. You have too keep in mind, nothing hurts like humans do. These are extremely harty animals.

eyespy · 05-08-03, 09:51 PM

Ever draw cortisol levels on injured reptiles? Some of them are through the roof! Reptiles feel pain and have stress just like humans, but they are better at hiding it.

And no, beardies are very often NOT fine in the long run. My resuce gets flooded with septic dragons every summer. If 15 years of working in a vet hospital have taught me anything, it's do not neglect a bite wound that draws blood. In fact, here in PA if you you do so and Animal Control finds out, you are guilty of abuse by neglect and face fines and confiscation of your collection.

marisa · 05-08-03, 10:41 PM

Again someone comparing wild reptiles with reptiles kept in a North American home, with constant stress levels and being captive in itself to deal with.

Even though its nice you have left your other lixards feet to heal on their own not all will be so lucky and some can die from injuries like that, and YES it is illegal to refuse an animal with a broken bone vet care.

That simply is the way it is.
Marisa

ThEmAdHaTtEr · 05-08-03, 10:43 PM

Yeah a vet trip sounds necessary. Seperate the two. Are they about the same size? Good luck.

V.hb · 05-09-03, 07:36 AM

I dont believe in medicating a reptile in such a minor case, thats all. Ive never lost a lizard once (not that this sort of thing happens very often) But of course, if you all feel the vet is the way to go, then by all means. I just find it pointless, as ive dealt with many herp vets and all I get is "Just keep it clean and wait for it to fall off."

Maybe you guys have more qualified vets to deal with you than I do. And i certainly hope the "Iam glad you've left your other lizards to heal their broken toes" wasn't a knock. I do not leave any sick or injured reptile to fend for itself. Like i said, I think ive had this happen twice. The animal is moved into a quarentined tank, kept on clean paper towels and has polysporin applied. (i guarentee you most vets will tell you to do the same thing) Neglect is grounds for animal cruelty, and this certainly isnt neglect. (As I have taken animals to the vet in the past, to be told nothing but information I could have done myself.)

Iam speaking from experience, not to mislead anyone. and of course, if its a very bad injury the animal has sustained a vet is nessecary.

Alicewave · 05-09-03, 08:16 AM

At the very least I would use neosporin on the toe but I definitely think it should be seen by a qualified herp vet. You never know how much bacteria the "muncher" had in it's mouth that transferred to the "munchee's" toe. Not to mention any fecal matter it might walk through. It may seem like a minor injury but left untreated it could be disasterous.