Any Help with this STRANGE skin issue would be appreciated

[Karma11]

I have made a post or two on this issue a few months ago, when the skin deformity itself appeared much different, however I am still totally and utterly in the dark and when he was at the vet back in late jan early feb, she was unsure what the discoloration was all about. Now thought it has morphed into more than purely discoloration on the top of his head.

there was a small scab on the back of his head in the center, that eventually came off and he had a descent shed. Now, though there is an area of almost light human skin color, surrounded by almost black. Then trailing off from the base of his head down the center of his back, where the
"spines" are, some of them literally came off with the shed, and it looks almost like what human skin would look like during the time healing from roadburn or something like that.

All off this started when he was ill, he was treated with a round of injectiable antibiotics, and has been off for close to a month. He behaves normal, eats normal, poos normal, however this skin thing is still freaking me out. My friend who also owns a panther from the same breeder went through almost the same thing as me, same antibiotics, and what not. the vet he spoke to said it could take up to a year for this skin discoloration to fix itself, however in the case of his panther, there was never a "wound" type situation going on.

Any ideas, has anyone seen or heard of anything like this. I have exhausted internet and book research and have come up with nothing. THANKS!!!

 

[Karma11]

<a href="http://s899.photobucket.com/albums/ac193/Lauren1884/?action=view&current=DSCN1681.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac193/Lauren1884/DSCN1681.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Karma11]

apparently im upload defficient, there is a photo in my member album. Sorry

 

[Elizadolots]

Let's see if I can help...

hmm....that's really odd. I wonder if it could be fungal? And, then, I wonder what one does about a fungal infection on a chameleon... But the vet seemed to think it was caused by the injection? Was the injection in the area that is now affected?

 

[draetish]

Hi Lauren.... I have not seen this before, but reviewed your prior thread and this is what I would do if it were my cham. When giving chams antibiotics, they also kill off the good bacteria so I would use Nutribac df:

http://www.mzrproducts.com/

http://www.carolinapetsupply.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=46

There is also an herbal product called Reptaid that helps with infections that is safe to use

http://www.chameleonsnorthwest.com/reptaid4.htm

After I did research on both of these products, I will be using them on a monthly basis as a preventitive. Reptaid first 2-3 days of the month and Nutribac df once or twice a month. Both are all natural with no vitamins or supplements.

You could also ask your vet for some Silvadene Cream with is a topical antibiotic. I hope this helps.

 

[Karma11]

Elizadolots...Thanks for posting the picture, and I guess I wasnt clear, the injections had nothing to due with the skin problem. I initially took him to the vet because he was noticabley ill, the usual, sleeping during the day, eyes not open when they should be, lethargic, etc. His WBC count was high, hence the antibiotic injections. they were intramuscular and the site of injection was alternating front legs. Im assuming because he is fine other than the mark on him, that the antibiotic did its job. Its just so bizzare whats going on now ya know?

Draetish, thanks for the advice, I'm most definitely going to look into it

 

[serenitystarlite]

<a href="http://s899.photobucket.com/albums/ac193/Lauren1884/?action=view&current=DSCN1681.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac193/Lauren1884/DSCN1681.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

That is html code, this forum uses its own code. There's a button called "insert link" and one called "insert image" that generate the code for you

 

[Elizadolots]

Not a problem, Karma. You indicated that your friend's chameleon had a similar infection and injections and was experiencing discoloration as well. The vet said it would take a year for it to go away. That, to me, suggests the vet believes the antibiotic caused a skin reaction.

 

[Karma11]

I see what your saying, but in both mine and my friends cases the skin discoloration occured even before our trips to the vet, part of the reason we went. When my friend was told the issue would resolve itself in a year, i was thinking that the antibiotic killed whatever caused the skin to look bizzare, but that maybe it just took some time for it to fade...who knows