Is this a shedding problem? [pics]

adam1v

New Member
Around 2 months ago, my cham had some type of skin issue under her kneck. It was only a small area around the size of a small coin.

Pics of this can be seen here:
1000602cr1.jpg

1000606dj6.jpg


aside from this brown skin, you can see she appeared to be really healthy looking.

I spoke to a number of people who all recommended pretty much the same thing, apply a fungal/cleaning cream.

The first thing I purchased was Beaphar Skin intment. I applied this every day for about a week and seem amazing results straight away, I managed to reduce this patch of skin to around a quater of the size, nice healthy skin came from below, but the ointment wasnt quite strong enough to remove it 100%.

I managed to order some silvadine from abroad (took a while, hense i bought beaphar first). I applied a healthy dose of this to her neck for a few days and it actually all went away lovely, until around a few days ago.

It appears to have come back but even worse. If you look at the first image, you can clearly see the brown skin around her whole kneck except from where I had previously cleaned her up with the cream.
In the second picture, looking at her hands, you can see that it doenst look like a particularly good shed, as there is a thin old layer of skin still there.

Yesterday, I applied alot of silvadine to her worst areas, and today, it just appears to be soggy old skin, with nice healthy skin below, it can be peeled off very easily without stressing the cham or causing her any pain.
They are misted 3 times a day, for something like 3mins/5mins/10mins. My main concern is, should they be misted during a shedding period? Im only assuming this is a shedding issue, and not a fungal infection.

img0522kl7.jpg

img0521np4.jpg

img0524fq3.jpg


Would anyone happen to have any further advice, or seen anything like this before?
Am I over-reacting and this will sort itself out?

p.s sorry for the large pictures.
Also, I just wanted to clarify, I am not peeling this brown skin from her, just looking at a couple of areas, where it litterally fell off really easily.
 
What a beautiful chameleon........way to nice to let something happen to it. I think a vet visit is in order. Jann
 
Last edited:
Have you shown this to Kristina Lucas (https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/studiocham/) of Melleri Discovery? She may have some experience with it. She can be found in one of the forums located at https://www.chameleonforums.com/melleri-group/

Other than that, a good reptile vet can probably figure out whether it's a fungus or just a shedding issue and prescribe what is needed. I have only used Silvadene on wounds. In shedding issues on snakes, I have used mineral oil or Vitamin E oil to soften the skin.

I've only kept one melleri and there was usually some issue having to do with shedding. Improvements in humidity and rainfall helped in my situation. I live in a dry climate although there are periods of time when the humidity is very high. But mostly, it is low. I kept my melleri outdoors and placed a large plastic sweater box on the top of the cage with several holes to create a rain shower. I filled it a few times on hot days and provided ample shade and hiding spots.

Pictures are great, but there could be other issues that are not apparent in photos.

Nice little horn on that chameleon, by the way.:)
 
Curious...

How long were you applying the cream AFTER the skin lesions had gone away?

If it is a fungal infection treatment is normally a fairly long period as the root of problem may be deeper. Also it may also require an oral anti-fungal med in addition to external Rx.

Hope that helps,

OPI
 
This looks just like the fungal I fought in two WC melleri over a year ago. See the Medical page of the MD for more info on treatment, I'm pressed for time now, heading back out to the studio.

It does require oral antifungal meds when it gets that progressed. It is a very serious infection.
 
Thanks for the info guys.
I will carry on using either the Beaphar (it seemed to clear it initially), if its no different in a few days, I will look at using the Betadine ointment Ive just ordered.

I will post some pics up and keep you updated.
 
Thanks for the info guys.
I will carry on using either the Beaphar (it seemed to clear it initially), if its no different in a few days, I will look at using the Betadine ointment Ive just ordered.

I will post some pics up and keep you updated.

I hope you have a visit to the vet also planned...

Just checking...

OPI
 
I too hope you have a vet visit planned. I'd sure hate to see something happen to this gorgeous animal. Jann
 
Back
Top Bottom