How can I prevent a Cham from rubbing his nose on enclosure

[luckykarma]

One of my Panthers is rubbing his nose raw on his outdoor enclosure. He's free range in the house and goes bananas in his outdoor cage constantly walking the sides and pushing his nose on the top as he walks up-side-down.

He used to be mellow about it. I put some ointment on him but this is getting serious. Any tips? He needs the sun and he can't free range outside without me watching.

 

[dodolah]

One of my Panthers is rubbing his nose raw on his outdoor enclosure. He's free range in the house and goes bananas in his outdoor cage constantly walking the sides and pushing his nose on the top as he walks up-side-down.

He used to be mellow about it. I put some ointment on him but this is getting serious. Any tips? He needs the sun and he can't free range outside without me watching.

is there a window nearby that he can see trees or shrubs outside. Perhaps the view is the one initiating this behavior?

 

[Sepioteuthis]

I would just not keep him outside in a cage. Sounds cruel, but chameleons can seriously damage themselves this way. I have a male melleri that went through a period of rubbing his rostrum while in an outside cage (before he came to life with me) and he is damaged to the point that his mouth doesn't close all the way.
This picture is taken more than a year after the rubbing occurred.

It sucks, but I think it would be best to keep him inside in his freerange.

 

[Cainschams]

I too had the same problem so I set mine up with a free range inside. I keep my chams outside most of the summer weather permiting. I have him in a huge 3x3x6 foot enclosure with wide pvc screening. He still does what yours does but not as bad as it was. I use neosporin on his mouth. He doesnt have any color there anymore but the neo really helps. I also have his enclosure planted with one huge hanging pothos, 2 giant scheffleras, and tons of sticks and biovines but he still persists.

Dodolah is definatly correct on the idea of him seeing something he wants or somewhere else he would rather be. Make sure there isnt a female for him to see or they will go nuts. Even after mine sees the fem for a second he seems to be pacing trying to find a way out even more. Any big full trees around will definatly make them want to be WAY up there where they feel safer than in an enclosure. I really dont have a solution besides making him a HUGE outside cage with tons of plants to make him feel safe. Also just put the neo on him whenever you see it getting bad. Sorry I cant help much but I feel also that he probably just wants to be in the biggest, tallest, fullest, safest, TERRITORY he can.

 

[luckykarma]

I've been using Neo cautiously because I worry he'll rub some into his mouth. He sees everything he wants to climb on. I guess I'll keep him in for a while. He's getting out URI right now anyway...

 

[jannb]

Use Zymox instead of the neo or Silvadene if you have it. Jann

 

[luckykarma]

Hi Jann,

I'll look for Zymox. I don't like Silvadene. Its discolored the skin of every Cham I put it on.

Update: I just checked the websites for nearby drugstores and no one lists Zymox. Is it over the counter?

 

[jannb]

It's over the counter. I order online at kvpet.com