Black Spot

[Voldragon]

Hello,

I'm sorry I've not been using this site more often. I only seem to come here when I have problems .

I have a Veiled Chameleon thats approaching 2 years of age. He's has all his requirements UVB and heating wise. I'm misting him 2/3 times a day. He's possibly not eating as much as he did when he was younger, I'd edge my bets on saying he eats about 2/3 locusts now every day. So I was a bit concerned that he wouldn't be getting that much calcium/vitamins, so I've put a small pot of calcium powder in his enclosure (I don't know wether thats a good idea or not).

The thing of concern to me though, is that he's developed a small black spot around his lower left lip. To describe it as best I can, I would say that it's mainly his scales that have blackened slightly, although it appears to have a very very small dent into his skin. However, that could just be a bit of an illusion due to his scales.

The spot itself is somewhat shiny, which initially made me wonder wether it's just a small scab caused by falling. But it's obviously making me worry that it may be something severe. It could just be something that could wash off, but I'm a bit nervous that if it is something worse I could be doing more damage than good by cleaning it. I'm frantically trying to get in touch with the vet although I'm struggling to get through.

So I was wondering wether or not somebody would be able to hint at any possibilities. Is it worth trying to brush off slightly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I said, I'm really sorry that it's another problem, but I've definately seen this place as somewhere that people know what they're talking about.

I've enclosed a picture. Unforetunately, it is on my phone, which doesnt have the best camera. I also underwent a 5 minute biting session to try and get the picture too. So it's the best I've been able to come up with. Hopefully it may add a bit of extra help.

Thanks once again for any replies. I am trying to get in touch with the vet as I said, but just to know what I'm dealing with I'd appreciate any help.

Mike

 

[summoner12]

I think you need to take some better pics for us to give some good input.

What do you mean 5 minutes of biting? Try not to stress him.

As for his eating less... Adult chams do eat less as the age. Are you only feeding him locust? You should dust the food, not put supplement dust in the cage for him to.... find and eat.

Where are you located?

What kind of UV are you providing? As in, what kind of lamps? Have you replaced them every 6-9 months?

Try filling out the sticky in the health forum called 'how to ask for help'. Fill out the form and it will help us help you better.

 

[Voldragon]

I think you need to take some better pics for us to give some good input. - Unforetunately, that is the best I can do for pictures, my phone is my only method of getting photo's at the minute.

What do you mean 5 minutes of biting? Try not to stress him. - He's often like that when I have to take a picture of him. For that reason I don't take many pictures, only when there is a need, as there has been recently.

As for his eating less... Adult chams do eat less as the age. Are you only feeding him locust? You should dust the food, not put supplement dust in the cage for him to.... find and eat. - I am aware of that, His main diet is locusts as he seems to prefer them to brown crickets, however I will buy brown crickets occasionally to vary his diet. He has also had a few waxworms recently, but spaced out. He always has veg in there, and although I need to buy him a new ficus tree, he usually has one in his cage too. The reason for putting some extra supplement into his tank, is that when I put locusts into his tank, I always put in perhaps a few more than he will need. He will eat the extra ones when he chooses too, but I've noticed on occasion that these locusts have shed the supplements. I do continue to dust the locusts, and when I can I will redust any I find. But as a precaution I just made sure to leave some extra in the tank on the chance he chose the extra for himself. It may sound strange, but he's quite a funny little guy about it sometimes.

Where are you located?

What kind of UV are you providing? As in, what kind of lamps? Have you replaced them every 6-9 months? - He had his UVB light replaced just last month. The UVB lighting being a Repti-glow 5.0.

Try filling out the sticky in the health forum called 'how to ask for help'. Fill out the form and it will help us help you better.

I've answered a few of those questions. I'm currently filling out the questions from the sticky.

 

[blackbetty]

3.5 hours later..........................................

Wow, I hope those sunken eyes are just stress..

 

[BocaJan]

They can be bitten by their foot, causing a bruise. Keep your eye on it and if it doesn't fade by the end of the day it may be something else.

 

[Voldragon]

Sorry I never got back to this thread. I had a few problems with my internet shortly after making the post.

I managed to get a slot at the vets today, he gave him a good checkover, and I was able to ask him about a couple of other things. But basically, he seems to be ok, the black spot cleared itself up. But other than that, he's been given a clean bill of health.

Again, sorry for not replying to the comments to well. Thanks again for any replies I did get.

 

[jannb]

Glad to here that he's ok.

 

[summoner12]

Sorry I never got back to this thread. I had a few problems with my internet shortly after making the post.

I managed to get a slot at the vets today, he gave him a good checkover, and I was able to ask him about a couple of other things. But basically, he seems to be ok, the black spot cleared itself up. But other than that, he's been given a clean bill of health.

Again, sorry for not replying to the comments to well. Thanks again for any replies I did get.

Do you ever feed him horn worms? My chams get gunk on there face when they eat them and the worm explodes. You can always tell when my Melleri have been eating HWs..... their chins are generally dark. The ooz comes off after a couple of days from the misting or when they shed.

 

[Voldragon]

Do you ever feed him horn worms? My chams get gunk on there face when they eat them and the worm explodes. You can always tell when my Melleri have been eating HWs..... their chins are generally dark. The ooz comes off after a couple of days from the misting or when they shed.

As embarrassing as it is to say, I think it was just a bit of blood or goo from either his locusts or his wax worms. It just formed on his face in a way that was just very suspicious, I was very reluctant to try brush it off, just in case. But I gave it a small touch with a cotton bud today and it did start coming off. I have to say my head was in my hands when I realised what happened lol. I took him to the vets in any case as I did want to have him get a bit of a checkover, but he seems to be ok.