Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last night I got our "sick" lizard tank cleaned of sand and washed out and ready. This morning before work I was able to catch him and put him into the smaller tank with paper towels. He certainly was not happy with me over the change in homelife. When I had him caught, I snapped a few more pictures of his underside and they are posted below. Some still aren't very good but I was the only one up at that time and my son (it really is his lizard) is out of town visiting his father so he couldn't help. Tonight when I get home I will try the soaking thing from John's post last night.

He may end up dying as after talking to my son on the phone last night he has had this problem for quite a while - maybe 3 months. While it was a curiosity, he has always eaten well and was never in any pain. We never saw redness, swelling, oozing or inflamation. I finally decided we needed to know more so I put the picture and question up yesterday. We don't have any lizard vets in the area but I have a dog/cat/horse vet friend who will look at him for me and can give me antibiotics for him but other than basic herp stuff from school he is definately not a lizard expert - just a very smart man. We both know that if we do nothing when the lizard is sick, he will die for sure and so far he has helped get him over a respiratory infection that killed our female.

Sorry some of the pictures are blurry and thanks to eveyone for their help and suggestions. Maybe these better pictures will answer the question for sure regarding what they are.

Mary

I'd venture to say there is nothing they can do but surgically remove them. Like I've said before though...I've seen it twice and the lizards both died within a month of surgery. Sometimes the surgeries can be more traumatic...just my opinion and I'm sure it differs from others.

I have to agree with John E.
Although a little out of focus, your pics are more revealing this time. It's clear to me that the exposed hemipenes tips are dry and colorless. This is usually irreversible at this stage but you at least have to try at this late time. The reason for the paper towel substrate is so that the lubricant you apply on the area of the vent does not attract more sand or foreign matter to the area. Try to inspect it on a daily basis. I haven't seen any successful therapy when they're this colorless and dried up. At best, he may be a great non reproductive pet if he survives this. I highly recommend not putting him with a female ... especially during breeding season as this may complicate his problem and may stress as well as cause pain or discomfort at the least.

Does he defecate normally? Is there signs of straining while doing so? ... just curious.

John

behaving normally for 3 months. With any luck (and therapy) maybe those nubs will separate from the living tissue and just leave some scar tissue.

Good luck,

John E.

He is the only lizard we have so being with a female is not a problem. I will start the soaking/lubrication therapy today and talk with my vet friend about maybe some antibiotics to help ward off any infection caused by the dying tissue. Well I guess I don't have to worry about looking for a new girlfriend for him. I guess he will effectively come out of this as a gelded lizard assuming he survives.

Thanks for your help and I'll try and update again in several days regarding his progress off the sand.

Mary

I have had my adult male chuckwalla have a prolaspe, FORTUNITELY I saw it immediately and knew what it was and tried to act quickly, and it went by in by the next day!

But as it was shrinking down before it was all the way back in, it looked like what your seeing(as far as the shape and bulgeyness) but it was real red and normal looking.

I hope this boy will be okay, like Johneee said it is incouraging that he has lived this way with no interruptions in eating or bahavior.

Maybe it will just continue to dry and shrivel. The only thing I would worry about would be infection occuring there.

Keeping it clean and treated is quite important.

Best wishes for this little Trooper! Keep us updated
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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

i don't have any advice, i just wanted to say that i feel bad for the little guy! i hope everything turns out ok.
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***