sore on his spikes

[aubs]

Cage Type - 2ft deep, 2ft5 wide, 3.5ft high, half glass-half screen
Lighting - linear UVB light, on around 10 hours per day
Temperature - basking spot about 90 daytime, general temp around 80 daytime, 10 degree drop at night
Humidity - stays around 50-60%, misting and water drip into plant
Plants - large ficus plant
Location - home office. not near any air vents etc. Top of cage is around 7.5ft off the floor as it's on a shelf.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Adult male veiled (aprox 2 year)
Handling - I don't unless I absolutely need to or he initiates it.
Feeding - Superworms, Horned worms, plant
Supplements - Rep-Cal calcium
Watering - Mist for 5 mins 2 times a day by hand, drinks from the drip
Fecal Description - Poop seems normal. White runny stuff, more solid black stuff.
History - We purchased from the breeder at 3months old.
Current problem -

Help! I have a 2yr male veiled, Eko, who has what looks like a sore on his back. He is shedding right now, and we noticed that on his upper back, where his spikes are, he has what looks like an open wound and it looks like about 4 of his spikes are going to fall off. Does anyone know what this could be? We think that it could be from a fall. He eats well, and is well hydrated, and seems pretty active.

Has anyone else seen this before, or is this something I need to take him to the vet to get looked at?

 

[Sancho]

Help! I have a 2yr male veiled who has what looks like a sore on his back. He is shedding right now, and we noticed that on his upper back, where his spikes are, he has what looks like an open wound and it looks like about 4 of his spikes are going to fall off? Does anyone know what this could be? We think that it could be from a fall. He eats well, and is well hydrated, and seems pretty active.

He lives in a combo screen-glass cage. The temps on his lights are all set up properly.

Has anyone else seen this before, or is this something I need to take him to the vet to get looked at?

PICTURES and add the following info so we can help you better..

Cage Info:

* Cage Type -
* Lighting -
* Temperature -
* Humidity -
* Plants -
* Location -


Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon -
*habitat-
* Handling -
* Feeding -
* Supplements -
* Watering -
* Fecal Description -
* History -
* Current Problem -

 

[aubs]

eko

 

[dodolah]

looked like a burn trauma to me and now it just slough off.

 

[Sancho]

looked like a burn trauma to me and now it just slough off.

I agree looks like a burn to me.

 

[aubs]

will those spikes then grow back? should i put some antibiotic ointment on it to prevent infection or will this be ok on its own?

 

[dodolah]

will those spikes then grow back? should i put some antibiotic ointment on it to prevent infection or will this be ok on its own?

something like sylvadene cream and neosporin to prevent infection will be ok, imo.
no, the spikes won't grow back.
do you happen to have the bulb inside the cage? or do you have the basking vine way to close to the bulb (less than 6 inches)?
if it's indeed burn trauma, we gotta do something to prevent him getting it again.

Eko need some multi vitamin supplements (such herptivite) and calcium without D3 (such MinerAll 0) in addition to your Repcal (I'm assuming you have the red one).

 

[royden]

We need more info on your lighting.
What kind of uvb? 10.? 5.0? Brand?

I assume you have some sort of basking lamp or heat bulb? Can you photograph it's location on the age?


When you photograph..stand further back until the subject is in focus. Hold your button down half way to select what you want to focus on. Notice how your photos have the back of the cage in focus but the cham isn't? Also use a flash if you can.

I can't tell anything about the wound without a clear image.

 

[aubs]

no, his light is on top of the cage, but there is a spot that he can get to that is probably too close. i will move that vine. we are currently setting up a new habitat that is bigger for him and the light is inside the cage. what can i do to prevent this again, keep everything at least 6" from the light?

Thanks!

 

[dodolah]

no, his light is on top of the cage, but there is a spot that he can get to that is probably too close. i will move that vine. we are currently setting up a new habitat that is bigger for him and the light is inside the cage. what can i do to prevent this again, keep everything at least 6" from the light?

Thanks!

No lights inside the cage, for sure.
Assuming you have a screen top, you can put the uvb on the top of the cage and using a clamp, you can clamp the heat lamp.
I realized looking at the profile pic of your veiled, Eko has quite a burn trauma from his casque all the way to the back.
Now, his skin is about to slough.. Be prepared for more...

Do you have any access to exotic vet, i suggest you go to get a consultation and perhaps some meds for Eko? where are you located?
if you are in South California, I know at least 2 good vets who are very knowledgeable in Chameleon.

If you are in US:
www.herpvetconnection.com might help.

 

[aubs]

we are in ohio. we also use the herpivite, but recently ran out.

he has a 10.0UVB and has a 75watt basking light. like i said, we have had him for 2 years, and he has been in this cage for over a year, and we have never had a problem before. no changes to his set up recently to cause this...

the new set up has a hard top, so the light fixtures are mounted inside. i could probably set it up so the basking light is clamped on the outside though.

this is him currently:

 

[dodolah]

we are in ohio. we also use the herpivite, but recently ran out.

he has a 10.0UVB and has a 75watt basking light. like i said, we have had him for 2 years, and he has been in this cage for over a year, and we have never had a problem before. no changes to his set up recently to cause this...

the new set up has a hard top, so the light fixtures are mounted inside. i could probably set it up so the basking light is clamped on the outside though.

Basically, in the new cage, will he has direct access to the lightings (both uvb and heat)?
in this case, figure out some way to prevent him from having any access to touch the bulbs. (remember, he can cling to the cage upside down pretty well).