scaly eye turret

[reptoman]

Cage Info:

* Cage Type - wood framed aluminum screen cage 24x32x54high
* Lighting - reptisun 10.0
* Temperature - basking area at top is 95. bottom is 75
* Humidity - temp humidity probe in the basking area reads 50% most of the time
* Plants - pothos vine and camilia
* Placement - located in home office. low traffic with a ceiling fan in the room
* Location - Dallas TX


Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon - Ambilobe Panther male
* Handling - A couple of times per week, his choice. He crawls onto me with out prompting and has done this since he was 6 months old.
* Feeding - 6 - 8 crickets every other day. gutloaded with carrots and collards. Twice a month the crickets are gutloaded with sandfire cricket diet.
* Supplements - reptocal -D3 once a week, reptocal +D3 once a month. Herpavite once every other week. Miner-all once every other week.
* Watering - auto dripper in 2 places above the plants that come on for 5 minutes 5 times a day.I mist the cage once or twice a day. Do you see your chameleon drinking? yes
* Fecal Description - usually very large with a frequency of twice a week.
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
* Current Problem - Eye turret on the right eye is scaly. Eye itself appears clear with no discharge. He has been keeping his right eye closed part of the day and i noticed the flaky skin yesterday.

 

[reptoman]

Just wanted to find someone who has seen this before and possible treatment options if needed. thanks

 

[naich]

shed maybe....see what it looks like tomarro after a long misting.

 

[reptoman]

It looks like a shed but this all started with the right eye closing during the day occasionally for the past 3 weeks and he had been rubbing that eye against the leaves of the plant during that time. He is beginning to rub his other eye now and i saw him with both eyes closed yesterday for the first time. The tip of his tail is perfect and he is eating well so not sure if this is something to worry about or not.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Can you get a close-up picture of the eye turret?

 

[reptoman]

These may be a little better. He really freaks out if I get the camera too close.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hm. It kinda looks like something one of mine experienced awhile ago. But it could just be a shed. The eyes closing thing is worrisome. What brand/type of UVB light do you use? When was his last vet exam check-up? Do you only feed him crickets? Do I understand correctly that you do not calcium dust every time you offer crickets?

 

[reptoman]

Here is one more shot that gets a better look at it. I am noticing as the day goes on, his eye is getting smaller than it was when his lights came on this morning.

 

[reptoman]

I have a reptisun 10.0 I have not had him at the vet yet. It appears that is my next move. What happened with yours in a similar situation?

 

[reptoman]

I feed him crickets but dust with supplement every other feeding. I alternate between reptocal -D3 and herpavite, and minerall and use reptocal +D3 once a month. I have given him some wax worms as a treat in between feedings.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I have a reptisun 10.0

Is it linear tube or coiled CFL type? Is there a dense mesh between the bulb and the chameleon?

My guy presented with a scaly, lumpy area on an eye turret and one spot near a shoulder. Turned out my guy had a parasite, which we believe lowered his ability to fight off some normally occuring common in the environment bacteria, or at least I think that's what it was. Anyhow he had all sorts of meds and did eventually get mostly better. Skin in one spot is still not perfect, and probably never will be.

 

[reptoman]

its a linear tube. I plan to get new ones for both chams tomorrow as they have reached the 6 month mark. I also take him outside once or twice a week for 20 minutes or so of sun.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've got nothing to suggest then re the eye. Hopefully its just irritated by a shed, and some extra misting will help. Otherwise maybe its vet time

 

[reptoman]

Thanks for looking at the post. I will get him to the vet and see whats up.