Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need advice before I decide to take my jackson into the vet. His left rear foot is a little swollen on the inside toes. It's been like this for about 2 weeks now. I've been putting silvadene cream on his foot to try and get rid of the swelling. The same thing happened to his front foot but the cream took care of it. It doesn't seem to be working for his rear foot. About 2 days ago his ankle started showing signs of swelling. Anyone know what condition this could be? I'm pretty sure it's an infection but there could be something else to it. Thanks.

~Dan

If it's not tissue swelling due to some sort of trauma, it may be a deep bacterial infection. Reptiles will develop a thick "pus", harder and thicker than regular "pus", and it can feel hard underneath skin, and look like swelling. Bacteria ofetn gets in through toenails and pulled toenails and can accumulate in the limb. The Vet may have to lance the area and drain it. I've been through this before. It sucks.

In general, to prevent various infections, I've learned to swab the corner of the mouth, gums & toes every week or so with Q-tips dipped in chlorohexadine , which is a good antibacterial solution. Your vet may give you some. Mine gave me a whole bottle. Jackson's seem to develop certain bacterial infections more often than some other species. You have to be aggressive in keeping them and their environment clean.

If it is a deep infection, your Vet may put him on Baytril. Administering it is not fun (DON'T give it shots, give a solution orally), but in my case the Baytril treatment got rid of both a foot and mouth infection completely in about three weeks. Since I started the swabbing routine, there have been no more infections.

Thanks for the tips man. Your advice is always appreciated.