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Collared lizard

22 11:50:13

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My collared lizard's finger has fallen off and he has a big lump on his hand i think its a infection or blood clot. What should i do?

ANSWER: Hello David,

What caused the lump on his hand? Is he housed with another lizard?  Do you have any pictures you could post?  
I recommend cleaning it with diluted betadine daily, then putting some antiobiotic ointment on it to help keep it from getting infected.

What type of substrate do you use now, sand, tiles, paper towels?
Do you leave crickets in the tank with him over night?  They can bite him & leave sores that can get infected.
Is he eating well right now?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Collard lizards injury
Collard lizards injury  
QUESTION: Well when i bought him he had a red mark on his finger that became black and eventually made the finger fall off im not sure of the lump has to do with it. I have him housed alone with walnut shell sand. i dont leave any criclets i make sure to take them out if i see him not eating anymore. Although lately the lump has gotten bigger so he is eating much less.

Answer
Hello David,

Wow, that is a big swelling on his hand.  It looks like a previous injury that has gotten infected.  
Is his forearm or any other areas on him swollen?  It doesn't really look like gout to me.  Is his hand hard or is it soft?
What is your tank set up like?  What are the temperatures?  
Since he is not eating well you can get some baby food to feed him daily, with either a plastic syringe or dropper to keep him from losing weight.  Chicken or turkey should be good for him.

It does look infected though.  Can you get him to a vet possibly?  I normally don't recommend at home lancing, but, if you are not able to get him to a vet & need to do that make sure the area is sanitized & the area is disinfected.  If the area is soft enough, you could try to lance & drain the area to relieve the pressure of the swelling.  
If the area is hard, you wont really be able to do that & he needs a vet visit for sure as it could be gout possibly.

Use diluted betadine & antibiotic ointment on that area, daily to help with the infection in that area.

Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie