Swollen/Concerning Cloaca??

[rexjack105]

Hi! This is my first chameleon. He is a Rainbow Jackson's chameleon and is about 10 months old. I am getting a little concerned about the way his cloaca looks. From what I can tell it doesn't look like a prolapse (thank goodness), I've been thinking it could be a sperm plug but it doesn't look like the pictures I have found. At first it kinda looked like he got repticalcium on it but now it has kind of a brown color and I am wondering if anyone has experienced the same thing or has some advice. He has a screened cage with humidity about 50% during the day and 70-80% at night. His temperature gradient goes from about 76 to 63 degrees fahrenheit with a couple cool misting sessions throughout the day. He is still climbing and is very active during the day. He has also been picky with his feeder insects (roaches) lately but I have read that is normal. Anyways, there is a chance I am reading too much into this but I would jus really like to double check. Any and all advice welcome! Thank you

 

[Beman]

@JacksJill is our expert on all things Jackson's. I have tagged her here and she will respond when she signs in.

 

[JacksJill]

I really don't know what to say about that. Looks irritated have you ever had him checked for parasites? Have you tried rinsing it off?

 

[rexjack105]

I really don't know what to say about that. Looks irritated have you ever had him checked for parasites? Have you tried rinsing it off?

I haven't! There is a local vet that does exoctic pets and I have considered taking him there if it worsens but I am not sure at which point I should take him. I have tried misting it but I am worried a bath will be too stressful. I got him hornworms and he ate four of those today, excretions look normal and are regular.

 

[kinyonga]

I agree with @JacksJill ...I would get a parasite test done.
Also...is there anything rough he could have rubbed it on in the cage?

Please post more photos of the whole cage and the whole chameleon.

Maybe try feeding him softer insects for a couple of days to see if that helps the irritation.

 

[Thehippie]

Could it be a bacterial infection??

 

[rexjack105]

I agree with @JacksJill ...I would get a parasite test done.
Also...is there anything rough he could have rubbed it on in the cage?

Please post more photos of the whole cage and the whole chameleon.

Maybe try feeding him softer insects for a couple of days to see if that helps the irritation.

That is a good idea; I will call the vet today. I am unable to think of anything that would have irritated him inside the cage. We started feeding him hornworms yesterday, hopefully that helps!

Here are some pictures of Rex. His mouth is open in one of the pictures because he was eating. His cage is screened and is 16 x 16 x 30.

I appreciate all of your help and suggestions--I will definitely be looking more into it and updating this thread.

 

[rexjack105]

Could it be a bacterial infection??

Could be a possibility! I might take him in to the vet depending on what they say over the phone.

 

[kinyonga]

What lights are you using...I see a double dome.
This has nothing to do with the bottom end of your chameleon...just something I noticed.

 

[rexjack105]

What lights are you using...I see a double dome.
This has nothing to do with the bottom end of your chameleon...just something I noticed.

It is a "tropical" UVB lamp and heat lamp

 

[kinyonga]

The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear reptisun 5.0 tube light.

Many people use a regular incandescent household bulb for basking of a wattage that produces the appropriate basking temperature.