Jaw Dropping

[KingLewy]

Quite literally. The left side of my chameleon's jaw appears to be dropping. Any ideas on what it may be? Difficult to get an appointment at vets at the moment as they're emergencies only. So would like to know if any of you have similar experiences please and whether or not it should be classed as an emergency. Thanks in advance!

 

[Beman]

That is not something I personally would mess with. I would have him in asap with a Vet that knows reptiles. I am leaning towards stomatitis. If this is what it is he need antibiotics asap. Vets are seeing animals and this IMO is considered an urgent need. https://xjz.96f.myftpupload.com/chameleon-medical-stomatitis-mouth-rot/

 

[nightanole]

Looks severely underweight, and has mouth rot or an infection on the driver side. If fits mouth rot you will find "cheese" in the cheeks etc. This problem will not go away without antibiotics. If its mouth rot you will also need daily cleanings, its not fun...

 

[DeShawni Green]

So...I would probably classify this as an emergency. Get a vet appointment with a vet who knows reptiles.

In the 3rd and 4th picture you can see how underweight he is.

Make sure he is hydrated, hydrated, hydrated. If he has mouth-rot it will likely impact his eating, and that may account for the underweight look...but you really want to make sure your husbandry is correct. You can even fill out one of the standard forms floating around here about your cham. Everything you do can help the odds of recovery for this guy...he looks like a sweet boy.

 

[SourGrape4u]

I am just wondering is it his lip that is dropping like that or the whole jaw?

 

[KingLewy]

I am just wondering is it his lip that is dropping like that or the whole jaw?

His whole jaw.

 

[NashansCamos]

Have you found a good vet and made an appointment yet?

(btw aside from the jaw and underweight he has beautiful colors )

 

[KingLewy]

Okay so I visited the vet today. He examined him. I was surprised how rough it appeared he was with his jaw. I've always thought chameleons were incredibly delicate, although he seemed very experienced.

He said it's an infection and explained that the skin had come away from the gum in the process and that even when the infection has cleared it may well be that this cosmetic injury remains. He gave me a bottle of betadine antiseptic and told me to apply once for the next 10 days.

The vet also weighed him and he was 92g which may well be as a result of the infection. He said he'd like to see him about 130g.

Thank you for all your advice, massively appreciated.

 

[Beman]

Did they give you antibiotics as well?

 

[KingLewy]

No, he said that he won't prescribe antibiotics just yet. I can't remember his exact words, but he believes the other stuff will be sufficient.

 

[KingLewy]

P.S. Just to avoid any funny looks from the word Dinosaur on the label: He doesn't actually have a name, so when they said I had to give him one I just went with what my 2 year old daughter calls him ?

 

[NashansCamos]

P.S. Just to avoid any funny looks from the word Dinosaur on the label: He doesn't actually have a name, so when they said I had to give him one I just went with what my 2 year old daughter calls him ?

thats a good name!

 

[DeShawni Green]

hope he gets better soon and everything works out...trust what you see...you should see healing begin to take place in a matter of days; if that isnt happening or it gets worse, call that vet back!

 

[SourGrape4u]

I used betadine for tail rot on a bearded dragon, its what nurses and doctors use before surgery. My only concern is it is not supposed to be ingested...

 

[GoodKarma19]

My only concern is it is not supposed to be ingested...

It shouldn't be ingested in large amounts, but can be safely applied around the mouth with a q-tip. You don't want to pour it on or anything like that. I've seen it used many times with mouth rot cases, and have used it personally to great effect.

 

[SourGrape4u]

It shouldn't be ingested in large amounts, but can be safely applied around the mouth with a q-tip. You don't want to pour it on or anything like that. I've seen it used many times with mouth rot cases, and have used it personally to great effect.

That makes more sense to just rub/apply it on then.

 

[Mrjamwin]

Hope your cham gets better soon.