Tail Growths - Veiled

[Bubblymle1]

My male chameleon has developed growths on his tail several months ago. They have not gotten any better or worse, but I am baffled as to the cause and would appreciate any help you can provide! Thanks so much!!


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, male, approx. 2.5 - 3 years old, he has been in my care for approx. 1.5 years.
Handling - Seldom handled
Feeding - 6 calcium dusted crickets 3x/week, approx. 6 calcium dusted wax worms 3x/week, approx. 5 calcium dusted meal worms 7 days/week.
Supplements - Fluker's Calcium with D3 - dusted every feeding
Watering - Spray cage with warm water with pressurized hand pump, 2x/day for approx. 10 mins, always see chameleon drink
Fecal Description - Dark, dense fecal matter
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Yes, none
History - Approximately 1 year ago, our chameleon had surgery for a hemipenis.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - screened cage, 3'x2'
Lighting - UVA/UVB light (changed every 6 months), night heat bulb
Temperature - 70 - 75 degrees
Lowest overnight temp? 65 degrees - tested with electronic gauge
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? 55 - 60% spray with warm water, humidifier What do you use to measure humidity? electronic gauge
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? none
Placement - Where is your cage located? In the corner of an office, on a stand, not near any vents or high traffic
Location - Illinois

 

[jajeanpierre]

It looks like it could be an abscess. Is it hard or soft?

Sometimes they get an abscess on one spot of their body from an infection somewhere else in their body.

 

[Bubblymle1]

Thank you for your response. The growth is hard. And I should note that he has a very healthy appetite and overall acting fine.

 

[mvad]

Beautiful veiled. Did the growth happen after a shed?

 

[Forestdellic]

Take a fecal sample test and check for internal parasites. While you are there advice your vet of your concern, sometimes they offer to deflate it.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

looks like a shed that is cutting off circulation.

 

[happy]

id take a look at your supplement schedule..... calcium with d3 at every feeding... not really a good thing... recommended 2 times a month, plain phosphorus free calcium every feeding. (ill edit when i find a good supplement schedule)

 

[bobcochran]

looks like a shed that is cutting off circulation.

When I blow the second pic up it does look like there is some shed left on the tail. Has he shed recently? Did the swelling occur right after a shed? When old skin detaches from the underneath new skin it becomes tough and brittle, around legs, ankles and tails it can cut off the circulation. If left too long it becomes a tourniquet, the tail will turn black and eventually fall off. If you can't get the old skin off yourself you should take him to the vet asap!

 

[carol5208]

When I am zooming in on it, there appears to be a small hole. Maybe it is just the pic, but if so, if there was injury of some sort it could be an infection from that.