Lump/Discoloration on Lower Jaw?

[tcpekin]

I have just gotten a male veiled chameleon a 2 weeks ago. He is only a couple months old. He lives in a 2x2x3 foot cage with a schefflera plant. I use a exo-terra 160 watt mercury-vapor bulb for heating and UVB. I have a temperature range from around 90 to 70 with the light on, at night the temperature drops to about 64. I have fed him crickets and wax worms. He does not seem lethargic, any more than a regular chameleon, and eats a lot.

Two days ago, I noticed a brown spot on his lower lip. It seems like it may be protruding a tiny bit and possibly has gotten bigger. I have looked at it and can not figure out what it may be. Is it a new color for the chameleon, messy eating or is it something bad, like a sickness?
thanks,
tom

 

[xoiceox]

Picture please

 

[Justin Carl]

We really need a clear picture.
I'm worried the spot may be a blister from the powerful light you are using.
How close is the light from the nearest basking bracnch?
Is the light resting on the roof of the cage?
Does you chameleon climb the screen under the light?
Is he rubbing his face on the screen?

 

[tcpekin]

Pictures and Update

http://picasaweb.google.com/tcpekin/Chameleon/photo#5178113403706608546

http://picasaweb.google.com/tcpekin/Chameleon/photo#5178112630612494978

http://picasaweb.google.com/tcpekin/Chameleon/photo#5178112901195434738

Here are two pictures of the spot and a picture of the enclosure. Where you see the chameleon in the enclosure is the regular basking spot for him. He moves around to different spots depending on the temperature. It is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in my room. The basking temperature is around 85-87 where he basks. The light does rest on the screen, but he does not climb onto the screen or rub his face on the screen. You have me worried.

The URL to the album where you can see more pictures is http://picasaweb.google.com/tcpekin/Chameleon

Please reply,
Tom

 

[Justin Carl]

You should read thses articles about Mercury Vapor bulbs.
Mercury Vapor Bulbs can put out as much as 150 – 250 uw/cm2 a distances of 12 – 24 inches. Where as a reptisun 5.0 may produce 20-30 uw/cm2 at 12 inches after a couple hundred hours of burn in with a reflector hood.
I'm not sure how long it takes to burn in or out a MVB, but I know it is a long time.
Dave W. or Will H.(cant remember who knows more, but both are very smart. I think one of them did a study on UVBlights.) would be able to talk to you more about this
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercuryvapourlamps.htm
Also, what are you feeding with?
Could it be a bite from a feeder?
Cricker or superworm?
Does your chameleon venture to the very top of the screen by the light?
You may want to start putting some ointment like neosporin on it.
Q-tip dabbed with neosporin.
Some of the other members that have delt with these situations might be able to help a little more.
If it continues to look like that he may need to see a vet.
Antibiotics will most likely clear it up.

 

[MWheelock]

Hey,

Two things.
1) I'm also concerned that your MV light is too strong for your little cham. I don't think this is affecting the lip, but looking at the picture of the brow and the top of his casque, it is starting to turn a little black. This certainly could be coloration, but based on others that I've seen, these areas are starting to burn.

A fluorescent bulb (5.0) and probably a basking light of 100watt would be good.

2) Based on the location on the chin, I think this was originally a wound from rubbing on the cage or something. It does look infected. It may warrent antibiotics +/- zylofen (zymox).

Good luck,
Matthew

 

[tcpekin]

I am feeding him medium crickets and wax worms. He usually keeps about 6 or more inches away from the light, only venturing higher to eat the crickets. He does not stay under the light all day, and is rarely directly under the center of the light. The pet store reccomended the 160 watt light, but does it give out too much UVB? Also, I have the light on for 12 hours a day. What would happen if I only turned it on for 9-10 hours? Would that work? For the spot, should I take him to the vet immediately, or is there something I can do? What is this about Neosporin?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[tcpekin]

Also, how can I determine if the casque is being burned or if it if just a discoloration. If I was to exchange my MV Bulb, then what should I replace it with?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[tcpekin]

An Update:
This morning, the lump appeared to be clearer to my mom. Then, this afternoon it was a dark color??? It also appears to be raised a bit like a scab that is about to come off??

 

[tcpekin]

here is a newer pic.
It appears to be peeling off a bit on the lower half. what does that mean??

http://picasaweb.google.com/tcpekin/Chameleon/photo#5178870254253575106

 

[tcpekin]

Its weird. Today it just peeled off and was like normal.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I would not use a mercury vapor bulb.
I don't care what the pet store recommended.
ZooMed Repti-Sun 5.0 linear tube and a dome fixture with a regular household incandescent bulb for basking (60 or 75 watts max in my opinion)
These need to be over different parts of the enclosure so he can bask in heat OR under the UVB, not together.

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

There are articles on lighting and thermoregulation at the above site, also a lot of other info concerning veiled chameleons

-Brad