Chameleon Head Turned Black After Shed

[cincychams]

First time poster, both chams have been healthy for about 3 years since i’ve got them. recently Ja’Marr, 3yr old panther cham had to get small part of his tail amputated. less than an inch, he had started to get tail rot which we believed he had caught it on something since he’s had no other health problems. after amputation, vet gave him antibiotic shots for 3 weeks, from which then on he started to shed. tail healed amazingly. noticed about a month ago right after shedding his head had started turning black. vet said it’s a bruise but i’m not confident. he’s eating completely normal, active as ever, drinking well. hanging out in usual spots and normal colors. it doesn’t seem to be bothering him but i’m still concerned. any advice/help would be appreciated.

 

[GrannyK]

I’m no expert so just throwing it out there, could he have gotten burnt? Definitely 2nd opinion if your vet says doesn’t look concerning, or is just a bruise. Sorry you’re dealing with that.

 

[cincychams]

I’m no expert so just throwing it out there, could he have gotten burnt? Definitely 2nd opinion if your vet says doesn’t look concerning, or is just a bruise. Sorry you’re dealing with that.

i don’t believe it would be a burn since i’ve used the same wattage bulb for 3 years. anything is possible but i’m definitely thinking of getting 2nd opinion. thank you !

 

[Beman]

First glance and I would say thermal burn. Looks like the top of the head is oozing pus. May I see a pic of his enclosure that includes the lighting on top?

 

[cincychams]

First glance and I would say thermal burn. Looks like the top of the head is oozing pus. May I see a pic of his enclosure that includes the lighting on top?

hopefully that’s good, if not i can get a better pic but over 3 years i’ve never noticed a burn on him. he also gets free roam quite often as we have a few fake trees and vines running from his cage around our (unused) dining room. the pus is hardened, i’m not sure how pus works on chameleons but it’s solid and doesn’t seem to ooze, it has been there since he started developing the black on his head.

 

[Beman]

hopefully that’s good, if not i can get a better pic but over 3 years i’ve never noticed a burn on him. he also gets free roam quite often as we have a few fake trees and vines running from his cage around our (unused) dining room. the pus is hardened, i’m not sure how pus works on chameleons but it’s solid and doesn’t seem to ooze, it has been there since he started developing the black on his head.

What UVB type are you using? Is it a screw in bulb? What wattage bulbs are you running in the double dome fixture? I ask because he can get very close where he rises up off those vines. What is your basking temperature?

Zooming in on your photos. This is what you see with a thermal burn. This black discoloration and seeping of the infection that is below the skin. This would be an immediate vet visit with a vet that actually knows reptiles at the least. If a burn silver sulfadiazine cream is the best option to help heal the burn and infection. But may also require antibiotics as well.

 

[cincychams]

What UVB type are you using? Is it a screw in bulb? What wattage bulbs are you running in the double dome fixture? I ask because he can get very close where he rises up off those vines. What is your basking temperature?

Zooming in on your photos. This is what you see with a thermal burn. This black discoloration and seeping of the infection that is below the skin. This would be an immediate vet visit with a vet that actually knows reptiles at the least. If a burn silver sulfadiazine cream is the best option to help heal the burn and infection. But may also require antibiotics as well.

i’m using the zoomed screw in bulbs and 60 watt bulbs since 100 made it too hot, basking temp is around 85-88. i will get the sulfadiazine cream and see if that helps. vet said chameleon skin can take a while to heal after he got his small amputation, so how long would you recommend using the cream before going to get antibiotics if the cream doesn’t seem to heal the burn? will try to find a better vet, not many around here but hopefully can find one better than previous. thank you !

 

[Gingero]

Is the basking temp of 85-88 the temperature of the branch or the temp of his body under the bulb?

Chameleons are slow healers so it’ll take quite some time and a few sheds for that to scar and heal.

 

[cincychams]

Is the basking temp of 85-88 the temperature of the branch or the temp of his body under the bulb?

Chameleons are slow healers so it’ll take quite some time and a few sheds for that to scar and heal.

85-88 was the temp of his body under the bulb.

 

[vs23]

I am sorry that you’re going through this! I just wanted to comment that he is very beautiful & I hope you find your answers & he heals from this quickly. Please keep us updated whenever you are able to? I am keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers if that’s okay.

 

[Beman]

i’m using the zoomed screw in bulbs and 60 watt bulbs since 100 made it too hot, basking temp is around 85-88. i will get the sulfadiazine cream and see if that helps. vet said chameleon skin can take a while to heal after he got his small amputation, so how long would you recommend using the cream before going to get antibiotics if the cream doesn’t seem to heal the burn? will try to find a better vet, not many around here but hopefully can find one better than previous. thank you !

When did you pull out the 100 watt bulb? You want to test the temp at the branch with a gauge that has a probe. If it is 80 there then where he rises off the branch would sit more to the 84 ish. If you are using a temp gun that will only measure surface temp. types of bulbs matter as well the focused heat bulbs even in the 60 watt are stronger than a regular incandescent round bulb.

You will have to continue to put the cream on daily. Burns take time to heal. And his head may never shed properly after it does heal.

 

[cincychams]

I am sorry that you’re going through this! I just wanted to comment that he is very beautiful & I hope you find your answers & he heals from this quickly. Please keep us updated whenever you are able to? I am keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers if that’s okay.

thank you so much ! will do

When did you pull out the 100 watt bulb? You want to test the temp at the branch with a gauge that has a probe. If it is 80 there then where he rises off the branch would sit more to the 84 ish. If you are using a temp gun that will only measure surface temp. types of bulbs matter as well the focused heat bulbs even in the 60 watt are stronger than a regular incandescent round bulb.

You will have to continue to put the cream on daily. Burns take time to heal. And his head may never shed properly after it does heal.

i pulled the 100 watt bulbs the next week or so after i got him, so about 3 years ago now and haven’t used them since.
thanks so much for the help, ill get a probe the same day i get his cream. we’re snowed in right now so unfortunately he’ll have to wait another day or or so.

 

[cincychams]

When did you pull out the 100 watt bulb? You want to test the temp at the branch with a gauge that has a probe. If it is 80 there then where he rises off the branch would sit more to the 84 ish. If you are using a temp gun that will only measure surface temp. types of bulbs matter as well the focused heat bulbs even in the 60 watt are stronger than a regular incandescent round bulb.

You will have to continue to put the cream on daily. Burns take time to heal. And his head may never shed properly after it does heal.

went to the store to get the cream and was told i need a prescription. upset but nothing i could do about it, so i got a generic burn cream and saw iodine tincture that’s supposed to help with infections for burns. am i okay to use these on him or do i specifically need the sulfadiazene cream? just dont want to make the situation worse than it already is.

 

[MissSkittles]

went to the store to get the cream and was told i need a prescription. upset but nothing i could do about it, so i got a generic burn cream and saw iodine tincture that’s supposed to help with infections for burns. am i okay to use these on him or do i specifically need the sulfadiazene cream? just dont want to make the situation worse than it already is.

That is a pretty major and extensive burn for a chameleon. He definitely needs the specific silver sulfadiazine cream and the vet visit that goes with it. He very likely needs to be put on antibiotics too. Attaching the list of vets we’ve found skilled with chameleons.

 

[GrannyK]

went to the store to get the cream and was told i need a prescription. upset but nothing i could do about it, so i got a generic burn cream and saw iodine tincture that’s supposed to help with infections for burns. am i okay to use these on him or do i specifically need the sulfadiazene cream? just dont want to make the situation worse than it already is.

I believe plain neosporain, NOT with pain relief. The plain regular is ok may be ok until you can get him back to the vet. But @MissSkittles and @Beman are far more experienced so listen to them over me if one of them say differently.

 

[cincychams]

That is a pretty major and extensive burn for a chameleon. He definitely needs the specific silver sulfadiazine cream and the vet visit that goes with it. He very likely needs to be put on antibiotics too. Attaching the list of vets we’ve found skilled with chameleons.

i don’t live in any of those states, if anyone knows a good maryland vet let me know. will continue to search for new vets.

 

[cincychams]

I believe plain neosporain, NOT with pain relief. The plain regular is ok may be ok until you can get him back to the vet. But @MissSkittles and @Beman are far more experienced so listen to them over me if one of them say differently.

thank you, just need something to help him out until i can schedule a vet visit.