Mouth Rot?

[JenniN]

This is my first time posting on this forum. Hopfully I am doing it correctly.

Our Panther has a brownish "spot" on the outside of his "lip". Yesterday it was not there.

I have attached 2 photos.

Could you please let me know if you think this looks like mouth rot?

Thank you in advance for your help!



Jenni

 

[cricketkilla]

Looks to be something of the sort. You should fill out the how to ask for help form. It will help everyone get a better understanding of the conditions your chameleon is being kept in . I'm on my iPad so I don't have it saved on here, but you can do a search of the forum for, "How to ask for help".

 

[cricketkilla]

After a second look, it is definitely mouth rot.. You need have a vet visit ASAP for some meds. It will not go away on its own, and it will only get worse. Good luck with your sweet boy

 

[HolyToledo]

How long has it looked like that? If it is a recent development, it could be a bit or food stuck on the lip. I can't find the thread but something similar ended up being part of a feeder that had dried onto the lip. Take a q-tip with a bit of antibiotic ointment and see if it will come off easily. Keep doing that over the weekend and if you are still seeing it, maybe it is a problem that will need to be seen by your vet.

I hope it is just grungy!

 

[Alexl]

I don't think a lesion at his mouth can wait some days. Mouth lesions usually tend to worsen without treatment quickly. In my opinion, any lesion in the mouth should be examined by a reptile vet as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry. Take a look at this poor guy, his owners also waited too long before taking him to the vet... worst case scenario, but something happening not that seldom. I don't want you to panic about your chameleon being totally sick, but the earlier you can treat mouth rot (if it is yet a begining...! maybe it's not) the better his odds may be to recover well.

 

[JenniN]

I will pull up the form and fill it out thank you.

Friday he didn't have it there...yesterday it appeared. He is eating fine, drinking fine and acting normal.

My vet is closed today so hopefully we can get in tomorrow morning.


Thanks for the feedback so far. Would love to hear from more.

Jenni

 

[Hoj]

It doesnt really look like mouth rott to me. Can you look inside the mouth if it is mouth rott it should be quite developed in the mouth to show on outside.
I would learn towards a bug bite or a stuck something.
Maybe try a nice warm shower and see if there is any change.
and Welcome to the forum.

 

[Solid Snake]

How long has it looked like that? If it is a recent development, it could be a bit or food stuck on the lip. I can't find the thread but something similar ended up being part of a feeder that had dried onto the lip. Take a q-tip with a bit of antibiotic ointment and see if it will come off easily. Keep doing that over the weekend and if you are still seeing it, maybe it is a problem that will need to be seen by your vet.

I hope it is just grungy!

Haha, that was my post. https://www.chameleonforums.com/sudden-mouth-rot-75396/

However, I dont think this is a case of "Cricket-Face Mouth".

I agree with the application of some sort of antibiotic ointment (not cream). It cant hurt, only help.

This does look to be some sort of injury/infection, but its hard to get a good look at it from the pics.

I cant tell you if it is mouth rot, but I can tell you that if it is, you want to take care of it immediately.

It will cause massive damage if left untreated for a short period of time.

I would take the animal to the vet as soon as possible.

Is there any way you could get a close up, macro shot of the area?

Welcome to the forums!

 

[JenniN]

What brand/type of antibiotic ointment would you suggest?

When my hubby gets home we will take a real good look in Waldos mouth and I will also try to take some additional photos to share with you all.

I'm also going to try the shower suggestion...he actually really loves showers.

Now...I will get busy and fill out that form.

You have all been very helpful...So glad to be part of this forum!

Jenni

 

[Hoj]

I useually use polysporin.

 

[Solid Snake]

You have all been very helpful...So glad to be part of this forum!

Jenni

...and we are glad you are here.

Yes, polysporin seems to be the most used.

 

[JenniN]

Chameleon Info: • Your Chameleon - Ambilobe Panther, Born in September 2011, Purchased on January 20th 2012
• Handling – Once, maybe twice per week
• Feeding - 15 crickets every other day – 5 dubias every other day (he doesn’t like them as much). All feeders are gutloaded with cricket crack, oranges, Nature Zone Green Cricket Bites, Carrots, apples, potatoes.
Super Worms – a few times a month
• Supplements - Exo Terra Calcium + D3 (3 times per week)
Zoo Med’s Reptivite (1 time per week)
• Watering - Exo Terra Monsoon Automatic mister every 4 hours for 30 seconds
Sprayed with spray bottle approx. 2 times per day or as needed
Humidity stays at 50 – 60% range
Occasional showers
• Fecal Description – Brown and white. Never tested for parasites.
• History – July 9th had eye closed, Dr. Greek prescribe him drops and within a few days was back to normal. Other than that, perfect health.

Cage Info:
• Cage Type - Cage size 18 x 18 x 36 – Fully screened cage
Cages elevated – 5 feet off the ground
Paper towels as substrate
Cage fully cleaned every 3 days
• Lighting - Reptiglo 5.0
Incidesent 60 watt bulb (Panthers)
Lights come on at 6:00 am off at 6:00 pm
• Temperature - Basking – 93/94
Gradient – Lowest 82
Night – 68/70
Exo Terra Digital Thermo-Hygrometer, combination thermometer and hygrometer
Humidity - Humidity stays at 50 – 60% range
Exo Terra Digital Thermo-Hygrometer, combination thermometer and hygrometer
• Plants - All artificial plants
• Placement – Spare bedroom, low traffic.
• Location – Orange County, CA

Current Problem – Brown Spot on lip. Worried it might be mouth rot.

 

[JenniN]

Soooo, I just went in to get a good look in his mouth and take more pictures and the spot is gone!!!!

I'm guessing that it must have been a little left over food he was saving for later.

Thank you for all the suggestions and support.

Much appreciated!!!

Jenni

 

[carol5208]

ah, was just getting ready to post and tell you that is what I thought as my one guy had a spot that looked almost identical. I took a qtip and some warm water and it fell right off whatever it was. Glad he is ok!!

 

[kinyonga]

Be careful with the D3 from supplements. It can build honing the chameleon's system.

 

[squeekz1992]

You need a calcium supplement w/o D3 to give him at every feeding, w/ D3 only needs to be used 1x per month.

Glad it wasn't mouth rot!!

Welcome to the forum btw

 

[JenniN]

Yes, as I have been reading through different threads I have been a nervous wreck seeing the D3 stuff!!!! Eeeeeeekkkkkk!!!! I have 4 Chams and we have owned all 4 since Jan/Feb of this year. I am just counting my lucky stars that they havent been ill from the D3 thus far.

I'm very frustrated as before we ever bought our guys we spent a lot of time visiting a well known reptile store on a number of occasions, asking questions, getting information, etc. The supplement schedule that I have been using is exactly what they suggested. I am wondering how many poor Chams have been affected based on the poor guidance of this reptile store.

OK, so moving forward I would love some supplement suggestions from you folks. Please share!

Here is a list of our lovely lizards:
Waldo – Ambilobe Panther, Born in September 2011, Purchased on January 20th 2012
Rango - Blue Nosy Be’ Panther, Born in July 2011, Purchased in February 2012
Tri-Tip – Jacksons, Born May 2011, Purchased on January 22nd 2012
Green Lantern – Jacksons, Born in July 2011, Purchased on January 22nd 2012
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom!

 

[squeekz1992]

Everyone on here (or most everyone I've seen) uses Repcal, from one of the sponsers, but idr atm which sponsor, maybe someone else does?

It sounds like you've got your hands full here.