Discoloration on my Jacksons Face

[lordmaxx]

We recently got a new UVA/B bulb for our Jackson and didnt realize how hot it was getting. Now he has some discoloration around his head and along his mouth. We also noticed a small spider in the tank and didn't get rid of it before it had hid.

He still has decent coloring a nice green, but this discoloration has us worried. Any idea what it could be?

Chameleon Info:
Male and only been with us for about 3 months.
Chameleon is handled almost daily, seems happy to just hang out on a shirt or in the hair stays a happy color
Feeding Large Crickets in his cage with him.
Sprayed daily. He does drink the spray also calcium supplement dusting on the crickets.
No previous problems. Has already shedded twice

60 gallon glass tank with screen top. Recently started using a more powerful UVA/B bulb and basking red bulb just a few vines/trees for him to climb on and hangout on.
Room is kept above 65 degrees and the heat lamp is not on all the time direct exposure to the new UVA/B light. Noticed this bulb got much hotter than our old bulb so we've moved it back from the direct top a little.
The cage is on the floor, but no traffic.
We are located in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA

 

[GabeCastro]

Welcome to the forums, Glad you found us!

To get things started, please click the https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ link then copy/paste your answers into your original post. Or drop them into a new comment if you can't figure that out.

I have 0 experience with jackson chameleons, but i do know a few things. By looking at the pictures, it's usually as sign of illness when they're sleeping during the day. Especially when you're holding them.

Those black marks on his face can be burn marks or fungus. Can't really tell by the pics, but it worries me that his eyes are closed.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

With the way the lip is displaced and has black debris I would be very concerned about stomatitis, or mouth rot. Jackson's also are predisposed to temporal gland infections that occur at the corner of the mouth. That can quickly progress to a fatal bone infection so it is important that you find a good reptile vet to confirm diagnosis and start treatment asap.

 

[lordmaxx]

Thanks, I've updated the post with more information as best I could. I believe his eyes are closed in these shots because we were holding him close to the light to get a good shot. He is actually quite active during the day. And he is light green. I know when he is irritated by something he gets very dark brown in several areas but he doesnt seem to be in discomfort.

 

[pigglett79]

I keep my Jackson's in a 3 foot tall screen cage that I am actually about to upgrade to a 4 or 5 foot tall. They prefer height to width as they want to climb. You don't use that basking bulb at night do you? Also you will need good thermometers to ensure that his basking temp doesn't go over 80-82. The rest of the cage should be in the low 70's. they also like a nice drop in temps at night, at least 10 degrees. They are fine with night temps down to the 50's. how often are you supplementing? Jackson's need less than other Chams. I do calcium without D3 2x a week, calcium w D3 1-2 times per month, and a multivitamin 2x per month.

What are you gut loading the crickets with?

What is the humidity in the cage? Jackson's need high humidity, but using a glass tank isn't good as it can lead to respiratory infections and it doesn't have drainage.

I have plenty of drainage and use a mist king misting system that goes off 4x a day for 5 minutes. He also has a dripper running during the day.

And I am sure he doesn't like the location on the floor. They like to be up high.