Mouth Issue with Monty

[Miss Lily]

Monty has a small swelling on his lip and yesterday I noticed a spot of blood there too. I phoned the vet and got an appointment for tomorrow evening. Its not his temporal gland, as you can see from the pics. I noticed a small swelling there a couple of weeks ago and it didn't get any bigger until yesterday when I saw the blood. I am hoping this is an easy fix as in past experiences taking my chams to the vets for anything (no matter how seemingly small) always signifies the beginning of the end for them.

 

[Lathis]

Yeah , that looks like an infection. I agree, not the temporal gland. I think a vet is needed to clear the area out and prescribe meds. I wouldn't trust it to clear up on its own.

 

[Miss Lily]

The yellow/brown bits in the last photo are superworm body and guts, not part of his mouth.

 

[pigglett79]

Rex had something similar. I think it may have been a cut from a snail shell. Our vet gave us diluted betadine that we would squirt on it twice a day for about 10 days. It took a couple weeks to heal because it kept re - opening when he ate.

 

[Lover of Animals]

This has happened to a friend of mine before. What kind of cage do you have? screen, glass, combination? Make sure it doesn't get any worse. The little cuts can be really bad from my experience or be okay. Hope its fine though

 

[Miss Lily]

This has happened to a friend of mine before. What kind of cage do you have? screen, glass, combination? Make sure it doesn't get any worse. The little cuts can be really bad from my experience or be okay. Hope its fine though

He is in a screen cage, the same one he's been in for over a year. He has plenty to climb on and I know he doesn't fall.

Just bumping this up in case anyone else has any input - we are at the vets in 3 hours time.

 

[Psychobunny]

It looks like he bit down on some hard object.
Let us know what the vet says.

I know what you mean about taking a cham to the vet being the start of
something

 

[Miss Lily]

Well, I emailed those photos which the vet looked at, since it is easier to see a photo than Monty's uncooperative little mouth, lol! The vet took a swab to see what we are dealing with and in the meantime gave me some Tamodine to wipe on Monty's mouth twice a day. I really, really hop this can be fixed, as my past experiences with chams needing veterinary care have all ended badly.

 

[deadhd5]

Just wanted to say that Monty is in my thoughts, although I am confident he will get better under your care. You detected and got treatment for this right away, so I can't imagine it not healing up without issue!

No way a small mouth cut could do any real harm to the world's handsomest jackson chameleon

 

[Miss Lily]

Thank you! The vet said he was handsome too!

 

[laurie]

Tiff, Monty is super healthy. This seems like a small issue. Given his care, since he was tiny, I am betting on him being fine. My love and prayers to you both.

 

[Miss Lily]

A little update

Thanks for all the kind wishes and support everyone!

The vet finally got the swab results back and there are two bacteria present in his mouth, one of which naturally occurs in the gut, and the other that is of more concern is called Proteus (I think that's what he said).

As Monty is still eating and acting normally, the vet was reluctant to give antibiotics via injection or orally, so he prescribed eye drops that both bacteria are sensitive to, and we need to apply one drop to the sore part in Monty's mouth twice a day. I can only get good pics when he is eating, but this is what we are dealing with.

 

[laurie]

As long as he is getting better! Monty is a movie star, we all love him, more prayers when I go the church in a few minutes.

 

[Bush baby]

Sorry to hear that. Unlike Veileds, Jacksons don't readily gape, so i know it's stressful to both you and Monty getting those drops in his mouth. Hopefully it'll heal up quickly.

 

[Miss Lily]

As long as he is getting better! Monty is a movie star, we all love him, more prayers when I go the church in a few minutes.

Thanks Laurie! xx

Sorry to hear that. Unlike Veileds, Jacksons don't readily gape, so i know it's stressful to both you and Monty getting those drops in his mouth. Hopefully it'll heal up quickly.

I know Jackson's are generally more chilled, but Monty is like a green puppy, bless him. He has always been so friendly and I love him so much.

 

[Kate]

Tiff. Sorry your little green puppy has problems. It's good that you noticed it early. There is no part of Monty that hasn't been photographed. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of you. Positive vibes coming your way.x

 

[Dr O]

fwiw, the drops you were prescribed are likely excellent at killing the bacteria; however my concern is the residual effect/contact time is really quite brief. if it's working, great! if slow to heal, i would ask the vet if the drops are available in an ointment form which will stay on the affected area much longer. or let them know another vet w/ extensive cham experience suggests silver sulfadiazine instead.

o-

 

[pigglett79]

Hoping Monty gets better fast. When Rex had a cut in his mouth it took around 3 weeks or so to heal as it would keep opening sometimes when he ate. I tried feeding smaller and softer foods until ti seemed healed up. Good luck, I hope the drops do the trick.

 

[Miss Lily]

Hopeful update

Well, its been a tough week! At the weekend I emailed the latest photos I posted above to my vet and he replied saying he though it looked more like a tumour and would like to see us again to decide the next steps. So, Monty was admitted to the surgery this morning to have the lump removed for testing. I took him in at 8:15 and had a phone call at 9:30 to say that it was all done and I could go and collect him!

When I got there the vet came out to speak to me, and reported that the lump did look like a tumour and was easier to remove than he had anticipated. It also didn't look like it had spread to Monty's jaw, so that is good news at least. Monty himself looked absolutely normal when I took him home - I had expected a little bruising but he looked absolutely fine! In fact, his mouth was already less swollen than 2 days ago. Here's a couple more photos:

These were taken on 11th March - his mouth looked very swollen, poor boy.





This was taken today after his surgery, already looking better!


Love my 'dinky dinosaur' so much!

 

[Dr O]

great result---let us know what the pathology report says, please.