Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got in a female egyptian uromastyx who somehow damaged her left front leg. I'm not sure if it was in shipment or if something happened before or what but she could not walk on it when I received her. It has been REALLY swollen for a week and a half and she barely walks on it. I have taken her to the vet twice. The first time she got an antiinflamatory injection and the second she received x-rays (which came back negative...no fracture) and an oral anti inflamatory. The antiinflamatory stuff does not seem to be working at all. Her arm is so swollen it's hard to the touch. I really do not know what to do and my vet does not seem to know what it is after getting the x-rays back. Has anyone had any experience with swollen limbs in their reptiles? If so what was the diagnosis? How long did it last? I feel so bad for her and the whole situation is hard with christmas coming around and funds dwindling (she was not cheap and the vet bills have already added on $180). If anyone can offer any advice I would be incredibly thankful. Hope everyone elses animals are doing better than Pebbles :~(.

Peter

I'm not familiar with Uromastix, but it looks like MBD to me. Check the mandibles and see if the bone is getting sort of "springy" or flexible (if it's in the very early stages, you might not see that yet). If that's what it is, it's dietary/vitamin related and can be caused by an improper diet and/or improper lighting. I'm really surprised your vet did not check that possibility out.

Unilateral (one-leg) swelling---> Would be most concerned about septic joint/infection; trauma; or metabolic bone disease. If the radiographs didn't indicate poor bone density then MBD is much less likely. If the Uro is pretty old - neoplasia/cancer is another possibility. Bloodwork would give you a lot of valuable info at this point in time. Good luck.

Thank you. I'm getting bloodwork done as soon as possible. My vet's wife just went into surgery so he's not in the office this week. I hope nothing goes wrong before then...

Peter

She is starting to get some red discoloration near her foot/base of her leg and wrist. It looks almost like bleeding underneath the tissue--a red bruise. Any idea what this could be? THank you so much for your help.

Peter

Symptoms sound like septicemia. You should get the Uro to a vet as soon as possible for treatment.

I agree with herpDVM fibrous osteodystrophy is uslly seen in chronic or severe nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism so there probobly would be signs of that already. Plus you can see fibrous osteodystrophy on radiographs as irregular cortical thickening and as herpDVM mentioned poor bone contrast from soft tissue. I would look at soft tissue truma.