HELP - Spotty Panther.....

dsney

New Member
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Hi Everyone,


I have a 1.5 year old male ambilobe Panther, who has started to develop various spots across his body in the last 4 - 6 months. Currently he has spots on his head, one of his feet, tail, both sides of his body and one on his underbelly.


I took him to the vet and they thought the spots might be a result of locust bites, albeit when I relayed this to the reptile shop where I bought the Panther they were skeptical about this. Also, I tend to feed the locusts in small numbers so that they are not left in the enclosure for long periods. The vet gave me some F10 cream to apply to the spots to minimize the risk of any bacterial or fungal infections. I have been applying the cream for over a month but I don't think it has made any difference and in fact additional spots have appeared over this time. The vet said that the only way to find out for sure what the spots are would be to surgically remove them and test them. I do not want to subject the chameleon to this level of stress / damage, especially as at present the spots do not appear to be causing any problems - he is eating, drinking, shedding and pooping fine, and I have not seen him rubbing the spots so they do not appear to be irritating him.


However, the spots are unsightly and more importantly I am worried that there is an underlying health issue and that he may get a spot on his mouth or eyes that could cause problems feeding. The reptile shop owner mentioned that chameleons can get cysts, so I don't know whether that is a possible explanation.


I have included some photos showing the spots. If anyone has any advice I would be most grateful to receive it. Also, for any UK members, if anyone is able to recommend a specialist chameleon vet in the Midlands area or nearby then please could you let me know.


Thanks in advance.
 
I have no helpful information for you, but I would just like to say WOW.. Your boy is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Also, filling out the how to ask for help fourm would be extreamly helpful!
 
Hi Everyone,


I have a 1.5 year old male ambilobe Panther, who has started to develop various spots across his body in the last 4 - 6 months. Currently he has spots on his head, one of his feet, tail, both sides of his body and one on his underbelly.


I took him to the vet and they thought the spots might be a result of locust bites, albeit when I relayed this to the reptile shop where I bought the Panther they were skeptical about this. Also, I tend to feed the locusts in small numbers so that they are not left in the enclosure for long periods. The vet gave me some F10 cream to apply to the spots to minimize the risk of any bacterial or fungal infections. I have been applying the cream for over a month but I don't think it has made any difference and in fact additional spots have appeared over this time. The vet said that the only way to find out for sure what the spots are would be to surgically remove them and test them. I do not want to subject the chameleon to this level of stress / damage, especially as at present the spots do not appear to be causing any problems - he is eating, drinking, shedding and pooping fine, and I have not seen him rubbing the spots so they do not appear to be irritating him.


However, the spots are unsightly and more importantly I am worried that there is an underlying health issue and that he may get a spot on his mouth or eyes that could cause problems feeding. The reptile shop owner mentioned that chameleons can get cysts, so I don't know whether that is a possible explanation.


I have included some photos showing the spots. If anyone has any advice I would be most grateful to receive it. Also, for any UK members, if anyone is able to recommend a specialist chameleon vet in the Midlands area or nearby then please could you let me know.


Thanks in advance.
Please fill out the ask for help form, and I would get a second opinion from a different exotics vet with cham experience. How big are the locusts you feed?
 
Thanks for the replies so far. As suggested, I have filled out the ask for help form, see below. Any further thoughts would be very much welcomed.

Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Panther, male, 1.5 years old
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Probably every other day. He is a very confident, happy chameleon and enjoys handling.
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? 3 - 4 XL locusts every other day unless food is not taken
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Miner-all once every 2 weeks, otherwise every feed will be supplemented with calcium and multivitamin supplement (alternating between one with D3 and one with LoD)
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Automated misting system, mists 3 times a day for about 1 minute each time, plus supplemental mists on an ad hoc basis. I have seen chameleon drinking and cleaning out eyes.
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Hard to describe but generally brown with bits of white and yellow. Never tested for parasites.
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. N/A

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Glass and wood vivarium, 3' x 2' x 1.5'.
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? 12h light / dark cycle. T5 Arcadia UV tube and jungle LED light. UV tube replaced every 12 months.
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Thermostatically-controlled lucky reptile bulb, maintaining hot spot of 28degC and background temp of around 24deg C during daytime. Doesn't drop much below 24degC at overnight. Temp. measured using EVO thermostat, standard analog gauge and periodic checks with laser.
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Generally over 85-90%, maintained through misting. Measured using analog gauge.
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes - Ficus, Pothos and Spider-plant
  • 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? In sitting room, not near any fans, vents or traffic. Top of cage is approx. 5.5' from the floor.
  • Location - Where are you geographically located? UK

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about. Spots.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. As suggested, I have filled out the ask for help form, see below. Any further thoughts would be very much welcomed.

Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Panther, male, 1.5 years old
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Probably every other day. He is a very confident, happy chameleon and enjoys handling.
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? 3 - 4 XL locusts every other day unless food is not taken
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Miner-all once every 2 weeks, otherwise every feed will be supplemented with calcium and multivitamin supplement (alternating between one with D3 and one with LoD)
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Automated misting system, mists 3 times a day for about 1 minute each time, plus supplemental mists on an ad hoc basis. I have seen chameleon drinking and cleaning out eyes.
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Hard to describe but generally brown with bits of white and yellow. Never tested for parasites.
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. N/A

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Glass and wood vivarium, 3' x 2' x 1.5'.
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? 12h light / dark cycle. T5 Arcadia UV tube and jungle LED light. UV tube replaced every 12 months.
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Thermostatically-controlled lucky reptile bulb, maintaining hot spot of 28degC and background temp of around 24deg C during daytime. Doesn't drop much below 24degC at overnight. Temp. measured using EVO thermostat, standard analog gauge and periodic checks with laser.
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Generally over 85-90%, maintained through misting. Measured using analog gauge.
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes - Ficus, Pothos and Spider-plant
  • 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? In sitting room, not near any fans, vents or traffic. Top of cage is approx. 5.5' from the floor.
  • Location - Where are you geographically located? UK

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about. Spots.
Feed a little more. What do you gutload with? Minerall should be every feeding and you need to gutload with Vitall the night before. No other supplements are needed. Make the mistings at least 2 minutes long each time, but preferably 5. Yellow urates usually mean dehydration. You need a minimum sized cage of 2’ by 2’ by 4’ tall, preferably screen. What strength uvb? Is the LED white? Basking should be 29-32*C. Humidity is a little high.
 
Animates Veterinary Clinic Ltd
Location: Bourne
Exotics Specialist: Ask for Sarah
01778 420462

Animates
Location: Deeping
01778 380111

Manor Veterinary Centre
Location: Birmingham
0121 429 2829

Theres a good few in midland area, best thing to do is call around and ask if they are specifically experienced with Chameleons
 
Feed a little more. What do you gutload with? Minerall should be every feeding and you need to gutload with Vitall the night before. No other supplements are needed. Make the mistings at least 2 minutes long each time, but preferably 5. Yellow urates usually mean dehydration. You need a minimum sized cage of 2’ by 2’ by 4’ tall, preferably screen. What strength uvb? Is the LED white? Basking should be 29-32*C. Humidity is a little high.
Thanks for your comments. I gutload with arcadia insectfuel and greens, usually kale, or carrots. I think the UVB is around 6%.
 
Animates Veterinary Clinic Ltd
Location: Bourne
Exotics Specialist: Ask for Sarah
01778 420462

Animates
Location: Deeping
01778 380111

Manor Veterinary Centre
Location: Birmingham
0121 429 2829

Theres a good few in midland area, best thing to do is call around and ask if they are specifically experienced with Chameleons
Thanks for the suggestions April - much appreciated.
 
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