Chameleons back has been Cut

[dknops]

Hi Everyone. Before anyone replies I would just like to say I do have a Vet appointment booked for 4 days time (earliest I could get) but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think is wrong with my Panther Chameleon so I can prepare myself and work out how much treatment might be

Recently my Chameleon back turned black. I thought it was because he was a bit stressed. Normally he is very friendly and doesn’t mind being handled but last week he hissed and tried to bite me when he was on my arm. Today I noticed his back has got worse and looks like it’s starting to come off.

I have repositioned his head lamp this morning incase that was the issue. He is still eating normally and walking round his cage (trying to get out often too) and drinking normally. However I can see he is not looking well and when I used to get him out daily/every other day, I am not getting him out at all in concern I will hurt him

He has a mesh wire cage (with a few small holes in) and he is somewhere between 3-5 years old (it’s unknown to me as I am his 4th owner, his 3rd owner was a family member who was given him in 2018 Summer, but before that his previous owners did not look after him properly)

I have attached some images. Three are taken from today and one is when he looked quite healthy a month.

 

[nightanole]

Thats a healing burn with a possible skin infection from the burn. Id say it happened 1-2 months ago.

 

[dknops]

Thats a healing burn with a possible skin infection from the burn. Id say it happened 1-2 months ago.

Do you know of anything I can do to help him before the Vets? I’ve sprayed him with water and he is still eating but I want to minimise the risk of infection

 

[Beman]

I would not spray him with water... You need silver sulfadiazine cream from the vet. In the mean time you can use a topical antibacterial ointment like regular neosporin but make sure it is not the kind that has the pain relief in it. You apply it very gently with a qtip. But he will still need to go to the vet for the silver cream and to be checked out for infection.

Make sure heat fixture is raised up or if you are using a strong wattage bulb then get a lower wattage.

 

[kinyonga]

I agree with the burn being the problem...and with it needing flamazine or silver sulfadiazine.

In the 4th photo...in the middle of the piece of shed there is a black spot too...is there a mark on the new skin under the piece of shed too? If so...photo please.