Is it serious?

[sketchyREMI]

About a month ago I bought a young, male veiled chameleon from a local pet store. They did not tell me how old he was when I bought him, but he was about the size of my thumb.

Anyways, about a week ago I noticed that there are 5 or 6 tiny bumps on his right side on the ribcage. I was concerned they were actually his ribs, and that he'd somehow fallen and hurt himself, but he doesn't seem to mind when I touch them. Now I'm concerned it is some sort of skin infection or parasites.

Is that common for growing chameleons? Or should I be worried?

 

[camimom]

About a month ago I bought a young, male veiled chameleon from a local pet store. They did not tell me how old he was when I bought him, but he was about the size of my thumb.

Anyways, about a week ago I noticed that there are 5 or 6 tiny bumps on his right side on the ribcage. I was concerned they were actually his ribs, and that he'd somehow fallen and hurt himself, but he doesn't seem to mind when I touch them. Now I'm concerned it is some sort of skin infection or parasites.

Is that common for growing chameleons? Or should I be worried?

He could have parasites. I would suggest take a fresh fecal to the vet and have him tested.
ALso fill out the how to ask for help form, so we can see if it could be anything else, and pictures would help. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[ktravelet]

or he is a she and is gravid.

edit: nevermind if its only 2 months old like you're saying that wouldnt be possible.

 

[sketchyREMI]

Haha, alright well then:

Like I said I've had him about a month. I handle him every other day or so, usually for like half an hour I just let him crawl around while I watch t.v. or something.

I feed him crickets I buy from a pet store, although recently they have been offering to sprinkle calcium on them for me (which I allowed) and all the crickets have been dropping dead. I don't think I should let them anymore. I also feed him a couple waxworms. Not every day, but at least twice a week. I added flightless fruit flies. Sometimes I leave a bowl of vegetables and fruit, although I was advised nothing with citrus.

Currently all I've got is a water bottle with distilled water. I mist 3-4 times a day.



As for droppings? Uhm, a single piece that is dark brown with a bit of offwhite?


Also all I have right now is a large aquarium. It's 20 gallons. I just recently got back from vacation, and asked the person to replace the bedding (i've been using cut up brown paper bags? I was told by someone that has owned multiple chameleons that it was better for them?) But they didn't so maybe I just didn't clean the cage soon enough?

I use an exo terra repti-glo 10.0 uvb light and a reptisun basking light. It's 100w. The air has been on recently so I haven't been able to get him up to normal temperatures.

I have plastic plants in the aquarium, as well as rock and some branches.

 

[seanUTD]

So there is a LOT to be said for this...

Please take a look at this blog as there is WAY too much to be said in just this posthttps://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/325-info-new-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[sketchyREMI]

Also...I've never owned a Chameleon before...so anything I'm doing wrong feel free to tell me exactly what I'm doing wrong. I do intend to buy a mesh cage. And a misting system. I just have no money, so I'm doing what I can for now.

 

[sketchyREMI]

So there is a LOT to be said for this...

Please take a look at this blog as there is WAY too much to be said in just this posthttps://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/325-info-new-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

Thank you so much!

 

[gerhartrx]

So I will try to answer some of the questions and provide suggestions. You need to fill out the how to ask for help fact sheet to get everything you need.

I handle him every other day or so, usually for like half an hour I just let him crawl around while I watch t.v. or something. - Try to limit this handling. They are more to watch and not cuddle with even though it is fun. Plus you are lucky veileds don't usually like to be handled.

I feed him crickets I buy from a pet store, although recently they have been offering to sprinkle calcium on them for me (which I allowed) and all the crickets have been dropping dead. I don't think I should let them anymore. I also feed him a couple waxworms. Not every day, but at least twice a week. I added flightless fruit flies. Sometimes I leave a bowl of vegetables and fruit, although I was advised nothing with citrus. - That is a good variety of feeders but you are not gutloading them and there are three major supplements that you need to use 1. Calcium without D3 (daily) 2. Calcium with D3 (two times a month) 3. Multi Vitamin with beta carotene (twice monthly). Gut loads are necesary because the pet store barely feeds the crix or any of the other feeders you are using.

Currently all I've got is a water bottle with distilled water. I mist 3-4 times a day. - Misting 3- 4 times daily good but what is the water bottle for? Drinking? Don't leave an open water source like a bowl because he will likely drown.

As for droppings? Uhm, a single piece that is dark brown with a bit of offwhite? - Need to get that tested. A picture would help as well. This could be why there are bumps. The vet needs to see those bumps as well. Hard to tell what that is. Could be from a past injury or something more serious.

Also all I have right now is a large aquarium. It's 20 gallons. I just recently got back from vacation, and asked the person to replace the bedding (i've been using cut up brown paper bags? I was told by someone that has owned multiple chameleons that it was better for them?) But they didn't so maybe I just didn't clean the cage soon enough? - The aquarium needs to be cleaned a lot. It is a breading place for bacteria. Not sure about the brown bags. Chams wont chill at the bottom. Do you have any live plants or vines? If not a live plant at the very least

I use an exo terra repti-glo 10.0 uvb light and a reptisun basking light. It's 100w. The air has been on recently so I haven't been able to get him up to normal temperatures. - repti-glo 10.0 uvb might be too much. Most everyone will use the 5.0. What are the temps? The 100 W may be way too much but if you can't keep temps constant at 80 then you will need it.

I have plastic plants in the aquarium, as well as rock and some branches. - The rock is not necesary, plastic plants are good but you need a live plant. This will help humidity and provide some good water collection for your cham to drink.

If you need some help finding a better spot for feeders, supplements and other items you need PM me and I will be happy to help. I have a blog that will help you find some websites that will have all this stuff. You should fill out the ask for help form. Good luck.

 

[Alexl]

Anyways, about a week ago I noticed that there are 5 or 6 tiny bumps on his right side on the ribcage. I was concerned they were actually his ribs, and that he'd somehow fallen and hurt himself, but he doesn't seem to mind when I touch them. Now I'm concerned it is some sort of skin infection or parasites.

Is that common for growing chameleons? Or should I be worried?

These bumps shouldn't be there. Might be broken rips, parasites, abscesses... that's nothing we can assess only by a picture. If you want to know exactly, you will need a reptile vet to examine your little chameleon. Please note: Even if it's something painful, a chameleon won't show signs of hurt.