Veiled Cham nails and spine

[Jdfreedkin]

okay so I have a veiled chameleon who Is almost a year old. The other day I noticed he was falling a lot and was in a terrible mood. I couldn't take him out because of this mood. Today he was a lot better. So I took him and and immediately I noticed his spine is a weird color and it looks as if some scales are loose. Next I noticed that on each front leg he has a nail missing. One appears to still have a small price of nail, the other doesn't. Are there any steps I can take to prevent this and help it. Should I see a vet. Any help is appreciated

 

[Jdfreedkin]

Here's his spine

 

[Andee]

That's a burn on his spine. Do the lost nails show any sign of infection?

 

[Jdfreedkin]

That's a burn on his spine. Do the lost nails show any sign of infection?

I don't understand how it could be a burn , the light has been in the same place since he was a baby and he's never shown and sign of a problem. And no , they look to be fine and he doesn't appear to be in any pain

 

[Andee]

Have you been having the temps change? Like warmer temps?

It's either a burn or could be... like a fungal or bacterial infection? Which that's a weirder color for one but it's possible for sure. How has his basking behavior been? Sitting for long times directly under the light? Even if he's gaping?

Also are you sure he is actually a he? It looks to me he is more of a she?

 

[Jdfreedkin]

Have you been having the temps change? Like warmer temps?

It's either a burn or could be... like a fungal or bacterial infection? Which that's a weirder color for one but it's possible for sure. How has his basking behavior been? Sitting for long times directly under the light? Even if he's gaping?

Also are you sure he is actually a he? It looks to me he is more of a she?

The weather outside has changed a bit. But it's always been like that. He seems fairly normal under the basking light. However, if t is a burn how would I treat it. My first thought was that he has knocked some of the scales loose while falling. And I'm fairly sure he's a he. I can definetly check though

 

[Jdfreedkin]

Okay good news, it looks like the spine was a false alarm and it was only his coloration at the time. His spine has all but gone back to normal. Now all we need to talk about is the nails

 

[Andee]

If he has a small amount of nail left in his nail bed it may grow back a smidge... usually takes forever though and it doesn't always happen. He likely broke his nails on the screen if he's a screen climber or has been in the past. If he's currently doing it there are a few things you can do to help. You could put in more branches and pathways to give him more safe things to climb on. Or you could guard the finer mesh screening with something with larger holes that he can climb on that would be safe for his nails ^^.

If he does turn out to be a she, be aware that those are receptive colors for females ans she may need a lay bin soon. It would definitely be nice if he turned out to be male for sure ^^

 

[Jdfreedkin]

If he has a small amount of nail left in his nail bed it may grow back a smidge... usually takes forever though and it doesn't always happen. He likely broke his nails on the screen if he's a screen climber or has been in the past. If he's currently doing it there are a few things you can do to help. You could put in more branches and pathways to give him more safe things to climb on. Or you could guard the finer mesh screening with something with larger holes that he can climb on that would be safe for his nails ^^.

If he does turn out to be a she, be aware that those are receptive colors for females ans she may need a lay bin soon. It would definitely be nice if he turned out to be male for sure ^^

Holy crap... just did my research and you're completely right... he is a she. Thank you so much and I'll be sure to get a lay bin... that must be why she keeps going down to the bottom of her cage

 

[Andee]

Yup that needs to be jumped on immediately then, to avoid her getting egg bound. You may need to adjust your care of her too later. She doesn't seem too far along to where it might cause issues yet. Good luck and keep us updated. If you need any help we are here.

 

[carol5208]

Yes, I thought that immediatey that your boy is a girl! The nails may have nothing to do with anything and she might be full of eggs!

 

[carol5208]

Yes, I thought that immediatey that your boy is a girl! The nails may have nothing to do with anything and she might be full of eggs!

And as Andee said, the spine looks burned. Re-acess your lighting situation. OOps didn't mean to respond to my own quote! lol

 

[Nursemaia]

I agree with everyone above. I'd give her lots of climbing branches and coverage in her setup and don't delay in getting the laybin in there. Other than that Andee has pretty much covered everything you asked. I would take a look at the care sheet for veiled chameleons and the blog on laying females

 

[Jdfreedkin]

Thanks everyone for your help, her spine had gone back to normal, as they coloration at the time made her appear burnt. I have also done my research on laying and have set up a lay bin and taken precautionary steps. She's under a close eye now