Severe Wound on Indian Monitor Lizard Treated with Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation/Laser Therapy

Severe Wound on Indian Monitor Lizard Treated with Laser Therapy

  • June 24 2025
  • Companion
Severe Wound on Indian Monitor Lizard Treated with Laser Therapy
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This case study describes the successful treatment of a severely injured juvenile Indian Monitor Lizard rescued by Mumbai Wildlife Department. It demonstrates effective multi-modal treatment of severe trauma in reptiles, combining advanced laser therapy with traditional wound care and supportive treatments.
 

 

 

Case courtesy of Dr. Deepa Katyal, Animal Wellness and Rehabilitation Centre, Mumbai India

Signalment
Indian Monitor Lizard (Bengal Monitor), juvenile, sex unknown

History
The Bengal Monitor Lizard was rescued by the Mumbai Wildlife Department and presented with a deep, lacerated, dirty wound.

Diagnostic sand Exam Findings
The lacerated wound was approximately 2.7 inches wide and 2 inches long over the left lateral thoracic area with a loss of skin and intercostal muscle, exposing ribs 3-5. Radiographs showed fractures of ribs 4-6 on the left. The lizard weighed 285 grams on presentation.

Laser Treatment Details
A Reptile Deep Trauma Wound protocol was used off contact over a treatment area of 7.5 cm x 10 cm to apply 5 J/cm2 at 2W (pulsed 20 Hz) with the small off contact treatment head.

Frequency of Treatment
Daily treatment for 8 weeks, then 3 times weekly for 4 weeks.

Other Treatments
Injectable Meloxicam, Enrofloxacin and LRS were given SQ for 1 week. Wound care and treatment using Oxum spray, Vetramil Veterinary Spray and Lox 2% jelly was performed at bandage changes daily along with wound debridement as needed. Initially, force feeding was required with
Emeraid intensive care (carnivore) and raw egg diet until the lizard started eating on its own

Comments and Outcome
After 12 weeks the wound was healed and the lizard weighed almost 540 grams. Forest officials successfully released the lizard in the wild in a safe zone