Brown spots on skin

[jaxmom]

My boy Jax has developed this brown spot on his knee. Other similar discussions point to low humidity.....he is in standard mesh cham enclosure, have mister on a timer, small humidifier close by and huge room sized unit about 5 feet away. Also hand mister when I am home. He has a great attitude, eats heartily, likes to explore all the time. Of course has the appropriate bulbs for UV and heat. I dust with calcium/D3 and vitamins once or twice a week. He loves and pigs out often on phoenix worms and butter worms.
I researched prior to getting him that ventilation is key for chams but I've read it's OK to close off 2 sides of enclosure to save some humidity?
Attached a photo, look at left knee.

 

[Andee]

I have never seen that issue as being linked to humidity that'd be weird. I would likely lean more towards a skin issue. Like a fungal or bacterial infection?

 

[JacksJill]

I don't know what's going on with his brown spots but I cover 2 sides of my cage with plastic sheeting to retain humidity. I also use several live plants.
Hope it isn't something serious.
Any chance he got a burn?

 

[jaxmom]

thanks, all input is helpful. Have a vet in my area that specializes in reptiles. Just don't want to stress him out by taking him.....he is my first and he is so fascinating to watch.

I don't know what's going on with his brown spots but I cover 2 sides of my cage with plastic sheeting to retain humidity. I also use several live plants.
Hope it isn't something serious.
Any chance he got a burn?

Hello

I have never seen that issue as being linked to humidity that'd be weird. I would likely lean more towards a skin issue. Like a fungal or bacterial infection?

Hi. I dont think so, he isn't keen on walking upside down near lights....I made a point to keep his vines 4-5 " below the heated bulb.
Think I need to make vet appt!
Thanks for your help! Love my little quirky guy...!

 

[jaxmom]

thanks, all input is helpful. Have a vet in my area that specializes in reptiles. Just don't want to stress him out by taking him.....he is my first and he is so fascinating to watch.

My boy Jax has developed this brown spot on his knee. Other similar discussions point to low humidity.....he is in standard mesh cham enclosure, have mister on a timer, small humidifier close by and huge room sized unit about 5 feet away. Also hand mister when I am home. He has a great attitude, eats heartily, likes to explore all the time. Of course has the appropriate bulbs for UV and heat. I dust with calcium/D3 and vitamins once or twice a week. He loves and pigs out often on phoenix worms and butter worms.
I researched prior to getting him that ventilation is key for chams but I've read it's OK to close off 2 sides of enclosure to save some humidity?
Attached a photo, look at left knee. View attachment 179728

Bear with me, guys. Sometimes replies don't go where they're suposed to!!
P.S. I've attached some bubble wrap to 2 sides. Have a hygrometer somewhere! Gotta find it!!!

 

[Andee]

The least stressful way to take a chameleon to a vet is to put them in a box, with a branch they can hold onto, make sure it's completely dark with enough air holes to breathe but still dark enough he will just fall asleep on the trip over.

 

[jaxmom]

The least stressful way to take a chameleon to a vet is to put them in a box, with a branch they can hold onto, make sure it's completely dark with enough air holes to breathe but still dark enough he will just fall asleep on the trip over.

 

[jaxmom]

Thank you!! Was worried about transporting him.

 

[JacksJill]

Let us know what the vet thinks is going on. It could be a big help to others in the same situation.

 

[kinyonga]

Words of warning...If you put a branch in the box for him to stand on...make sure it's secure and won't turn or move.

 

[jaxmom]

Let us know what the vet thinks is going on. It could be a big help to others in the same situation.

I will, thank you so much for your response.

 

[jaxmom]

Words of warning...If you put a branch in the box for him to stand on...make sure it's secure and won't turn or move.

Thanks....I was thinking branch long enough ro punch through both ends of box?

 

[kinyonga]

If you use a y shaped branch one side of the branch can rest I
On the floor so the branch can't spin around with the chameleon holding on so it ends up upsidedown too.

 

[carol5208]

I have seen many burns over the years on here and the tops of their knees are one of the places that does tend to burn. Do you have an silver sulfadiazine?? It is great to have incase of a burn.

 

[jaxmom]

If you use a y shaped branch one side of the branch can rest I
On the floor so the branch can't spin around with the chameleon holding on so it ends up upsidedown too.

Thanks!

 

[jaxmom]

I have seen many burns over the years on here and the tops of their knees are one of the places that does tend to burn. Do you have an silver sulfadiazine?? It is great to have incase of a burn.

Hi, no, don't have any topical cham-safe ointments. I am definately making vet appt tomorrow. Got a vet not too far that specializes in reptiles.

 

[jaxmom]

hello all,
Just wanted to shout out that my boy Jax has healed up great-he had tiny burns on his elbows and I removed the basking bulb altogether. The only thing I am concerned about now is I have ReptiSun 5.0 UVB and a regular house bulb but it seems like if the afternoon sun is past his viewpoint he crashes out easily. He will nail an insect, then catch some ZZZs.
On a more recent note, he was coming off a particulary tough shed and evidently a piece of eyelid skin irritated his right eye and WOW I was freaked out by his swollen eye! But thanks again for the great advice given on this site because I rinsed his little eye with sterile saline solution 3 times a day and 72 hours after voila! it's back to normal size. I had made an appt with local herp vet but cancelled it (he was behaving like his old self and he HATES change and was stressing about taking him etc)
Anyway, thanks to all for the sound words of wisdom!!

 

[JacksJill]

It's not unusual for them to go to their sleep spot early but to keep their eyes open. Sleeping with eyes closed while it's still light out is a cause for concern.
Hope all is well with him.

 

[jaxmom]

It's not unusual for them to go to their sleep spot early but to keep their eyes open. Sleeping with eyes closed while it's still light out is a cause for concern.
Hope all is well with him.

Thank you, I will try to get a brighter (but not warmer) bulb!