Curved Casque!

[GlobeTrotter]

Greetings!

I have a Veiled Chameleon, Oscar, who is about 5-6 months old. I've recently noticed that his casque is beginning to curve at the top. There is also a white haze that is forming and some other color changes. I'm afraid that he has gotten burned but I am not positive that is the case.

I DO NOT keep the spot lamp on the top of the metal cage but did lower it to within 1-2 inches from it. I did this because the basking temp. appeared too low, it was around 85 F.

Oscar has also stopped eating crickets (so limited calcium and vitamin intake) and I've noticed him clawing at the top and bottom edges of the cage. He can see outside a window when the blinds are up. He is currently in a 3 ft long glass terrarium but I am moving him into a 4'x2'x2' wire mesh cage as soon as I can.

Please advise as what the potential problems could be to his symptoms.

I've included pictures that well hopefully help.

Thank you for your input!

 

[Carlton]

Many veileds have slightly curved casques. It isn't extreme. However, I do wonder if the first pic of the casque shows evidence of a burn along the top. There is a sort of "split" in the skin that is either start of a shed (does the split look like it is just a skin layer or does it actually divide tissue underneath the surface?) or a burn. If the cham was burned (and this is a common place for burns) the burned area of tissue will discolor and start to peel away from the healthy tissue underneath.

 

[cloverthechameleon]

doesnt look like anything to be scared of, if it keeps curving it could be mbd

 

[will187]

i personally wouldnt be worried, the casque looks fine, although, in the second pc, am i the only one that sees a few lumpy areas at the end of his snout? these ive not really seen, and unless its a funny angle on the pic or something, id consider getting them looked at in more detail.

 

[ataraxia]

i would like to rule out possibly mbd and improper temps. curved casqued can be perfectly normal and then on the other hand it could mean the lack of something in your husbandry.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

 

[Elizadolots]

I agree with Carlton, the casque appears to have a burn or other injury...

That said, the curve is sort of sexy...he definitely looks dramatic.

 

[GlobeTrotter]

For further Info:

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Male Veiled Chameleon. About 5-6 months old. Purchased at PetSmart. I've had Oscar for about 4 months.
Handling - 1-2 times a week. Usually only when I clean the cage.
Feeding - Used to feed about 5 crickets and 2-3 super worms in the morning but he stopped eating them. Now I do about 2 crickets, 2-3 red wrigglers, and 2-3 was worms. Sometimes get active moths from outside around the porch light. I've been gut loading the crickets with Fluker's Orange Cube.
Supplements - Dust with Fluker's Calcium with Vitamin D3 (phosphorous free) and Rep-Cal Herptivite with Beta Carotene.
Watering - Spray and drip system. Mist 1-2 times a day and go the length of the cage twice. Drip system drips for at least 1-2 hrs in the morning. Refill if get home before 6:30 when the light turns off. Oscar drinks from both the drips and from the "leaf" bowl that the drip system drips into.
Fecal Description - Feces looks normal, white ends with black/brown lumps. Has become less frequent since he has not been eating crickets. Has never been tested.



Cage Info:

Cage Type - Glass terrarium with mesh top. approx. 36Lx20Hx12W
Lighting - All Living Things Neodymium Basking Bulb, 75W & florescent UVB bulb (brand?). Lights are on a timer. On from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Temperature/Humidity - 90F in Top Right to 78F Bottom Left, Humidity Ranges from 40 to 70% depending when I have misted. Use spray bottle about twice a day and have a drip system that drips a few hours each morning.
Plants - No live plants.
Placement - Cage is located by the dining room table on a hutch and rests at least 5 ft off the floor. Only my wife and I and we are at work during the day, home on the weekends.
Location - Located in Monroe, NC

Thank you all for you input.

I looked at Oscar again this morning and it does not appear that anything is creased like it is rotting off. Other edges of his casque has the dark coloration and "dry" look as if it is about to shed (but it's been "about to shed" for at least 2 wks). The other edges do not have the white discoloration.

A "clean" part of his casque runs diagonally through the middle. I think that his where he is getting "fat" and his skin is expanding to accommodate.

Oscar is frequently moving about the enclosure and is very attentive.

Thank you again for your help. I look forward to hearing more of what everyone has to say as I continue to gain experience in chameleon husbandry.