Is this mouth rot?
- Thread starter jamest0o0
- Start date
werecat
Established Member
Any changes in the lip line could be a sign of infection. An infection in the mouth region is called stomatitis and any infection could become serious if given time to fester. The term "mouth rot" generally refers to an infection that infiltrates the bone of the mouth and jaw. I would bring your chameleon to the herp vet soon for evaluation. Better to catch and treat it early before the infection gets worse. I ignored a small lip abnormality on my panther thinking it was superficial and would heal. It indeed had reached the bone and parts of the dead bone tissue had to be removed.
Hopefully your little guy is not that far along but definitely get it checked out.
Hopefully your little guy is not that far along but definitely get it checked out.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
I don't think it is anything to worry about. I would take a wet quip and see if that little patch rubs off. Just looks like a little peice of dead skin. It can never hurt to have a vet check it out, but I don't think it warrants a vet trip imo. The inside of his mouth does kinda look weird though. Maybe it is just the lighting.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
I've tried to very gently rub it off recently, but it didn't come off. I didn't try for long though because i didn't want to upset him. It looks kind of like a flakey piece of dead skin that is peeled outwards. I've tried to lightly squirt it off with water as too. I was thinking maybe i'd wait for him to shed which should be due any day now.
As for his open mouth, sorry about the lighting he doesn't gape all that often so i just did it immediately when i saw him like that. What looks weird about the inside? Something i can look out for better in person?
The mouth stuff just gets me paranoid because i'll see posts on here of people worried of infection or mouth rot, but i can't seem to see anything out of the ordinary. Very little details it seems, so you guys can call it better than me.
I was going to call a vet anyway, he has yet to get a fecal or any check ups, maybe i should take him in either way? Or is it more stress than it's worth if something isn't obviously wrong?
One thing to note he has been eating very little, like a silkworm or 2 a day... he did eat a roach the other day though. I attributed his low appetite to being due for a shed and hormones being 6ish months old.
Really appreciate the help friends!
As for his open mouth, sorry about the lighting he doesn't gape all that often so i just did it immediately when i saw him like that. What looks weird about the inside? Something i can look out for better in person?
The mouth stuff just gets me paranoid because i'll see posts on here of people worried of infection or mouth rot, but i can't seem to see anything out of the ordinary. Very little details it seems, so you guys can call it better than me.
I was going to call a vet anyway, he has yet to get a fecal or any check ups, maybe i should take him in either way? Or is it more stress than it's worth if something isn't obviously wrong?
One thing to note he has been eating very little, like a silkworm or 2 a day... he did eat a roach the other day though. I attributed his low appetite to being due for a shed and hormones being 6ish months old.
Really appreciate the help friends!
NHenn
Avid Member
I have to disagree, it looks like there is the start or the end of something going on. It certainly isn't bad and looks like pieces are healing but I would attempt to remove everything yellow that you see and keep an eye on him. If it starts to come back then you will most likely need some meds from the vet to clear up the infection.
werecat
Established Member
If you have yet to get a fecal or a check up then it won't hurt to take him to a vet. It will be good to establish a relationship with a good chameleon vet now so you have someone should an illness arise.
It certainly can be difficult to tell if something is minor or major with these animals and while it could be stuck shed or a minor abrasion, it could also be something that could become a full blown mouth infection. It's up to you ultimately to decide if you should take him to the vet but as I said, in my case I wish I'd taken my guy sooner. It would have saved him some pain and stress.
Also, I personally think an annual visit is a good idea (especially if you don't have a lot of chams). Again everyone has their own opinion on this. I certainly don't think a vet visit is too stressful once in awhile. Much better for an overall healthy animal to deal with a little stress once than the stress of frequent visits and medication for a sick animal.
It certainly can be difficult to tell if something is minor or major with these animals and while it could be stuck shed or a minor abrasion, it could also be something that could become a full blown mouth infection. It's up to you ultimately to decide if you should take him to the vet but as I said, in my case I wish I'd taken my guy sooner. It would have saved him some pain and stress.
Also, I personally think an annual visit is a good idea (especially if you don't have a lot of chams). Again everyone has their own opinion on this. I certainly don't think a vet visit is too stressful once in awhile. Much better for an overall healthy animal to deal with a little stress once than the stress of frequent visits and medication for a sick animal.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thank you i totally agree with everything you said. I wanted to get him checked out anyway so i made an appt for monday. I read great reviews about the vet i am seeing and talked to them. He has worked with chameleons and focuses on exotics, small animals, and reptiles. Plus only about a 25 minute drive away.
I was going to take him in a cardboard box with a little branch to cling onto, that sound alright?
I was going to take him in a cardboard box with a little branch to cling onto, that sound alright?
werecat
Established Member
Sounds like you've done your research on the vet. Good luck!
As for the box with branch, that sounds just fine. Make sure it closes securely so he can't get out while you're driving. Some people use a bucket. I used a mesh laundry hamper that folded up for storage. All of those options are fine.
Again, good luck and I hope your chameleon is well!
As for the box with branch, that sounds just fine. Make sure it closes securely so he can't get out while you're driving. Some people use a bucket. I used a mesh laundry hamper that folded up for storage. All of those options are fine.
Again, good luck and I hope your chameleon is well!
Fiona's Mom
Chameleon Enthusiast
Let us know how it goes at the Vet. You made the right choice. better to get him checked out then wait until it is uncontrollable. I agree that it's a good idea to have them checked once a year anyway.
werecat
Established Member
That's great news!
Haag
Established Member
Hi, I know this a rather old post, but my chameleon has the same thing and could not find anything similar on the web but your post! What was it in the end and did it just fall of?
thank!
