Panther Chameleon tail issue

[OlafsMom]

Hello

I’m new to these forums (and Chameleon care). I have a male Ambilobe chameleon about 4 months old. He was roughly 3 months when we purchased him and were told his tail had been nipped and that the black part would fall off in time.

About 3 weeks later the blackened part did indeed disappear and the end looked pink and healthy. Then he had his first shed right afterwards. Now the very tip of his tail looks dark again and the area just above looks like his shed didn’t come off. I’m concerned, as I have learned about tail rot from these forums and wonder if that’s what this has been all along?

I spent today trying to find a local vet that takes care of chams and isn’t booked months in advance… so far no luck.

I’ll post pictures of him when we first got him and then ones I took today. I apologize as they aren’t great but it isn’t easy to get close up without stressing him out.

Advice/opinions appreciated. Thank you kindly in advance

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. It’s hard to tell from the pic, but I wonder if the shed is impeding circulation to the tip of his tail. That can happen even in chams that haven’t had injuries.

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!

I would have it checked out by a good chameleon vet if it's not a constriction causing it. Where do you live...we might know one in your area.

 

[Beman]

It does not look like tail rot to me... But a vet is always a good idea. Most chams that suffer injuries like this can have issues shedding the area. So you do need to watch for the shed constricting which then can cause issues like tail rot.

 

[OlafsMom]

Hi. It’s hard to tell from the pic, but I wonder if the shed is impeding circulation to the tip of his tail. That can happen even in chams that haven’t had injuries.

What do I do to help if it is constriction?

 

[OlafsMom]

Welcome to the forum!

I would have it checked out by a good chameleon vet if it's not a constriction causing it. Where do you live...we might know one in your area.

I live in Pittsburgh. The two that I found that do take care of chams are All Pet Animal Hospital and VCA Northview… the first is no longer accepting new patients and the second is booked through February 2022.

 

[kinyonga]

Maybe this will help...I'm not familiar with any vets in your area...I live in Canada...
https://www.pghreptileshow.com/apps/blog/show/44264004-reptile-vets-in-and-around-pittsburgh-pa

One more...
https://rasp1.weebly.com/herp-vets.html

@jannb might know some.

 

[OlafsMom]

Maybe this will help...I'm not familiar with any vets in your area...I live in Canada...
https://www.pghreptileshow.com/apps/blog/show/44264004-reptile-vets-in-and-around-pittsburgh-pa

One more...
https://rasp1.weebly.com/herp-vets.html

@jannb might know some.

TYVM, I will go through these to see if any of them work out. Will reply my results in case anyone else in the area is having the same issue.

 

[jannb]

There’s several reptile vets in Pittsburgh listed in this thread.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/toe-infection.184697/#post-1698263

 

[Lindasjackson]

I hope his poor little tail will be ok. Good luck with him. He’s a cutie!