Strange bumps/lumps on my 4 year Panther Chameleon
- Thread starter Da Vinci the Chameleon
- Start date
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Hi! I live in Castle Rock Colorado. I also have a giant African Leopard Tortoise, but they never are in contact. What do you think this is?
ChameleonGuy686
Member
Looks like papilloma
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
I just made an appointment with a reptile vet here in town for Friday…please let me know what papilloma is, I will also research it. Thank you!
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Are you close to this vet? Dr. Dayna is excellent with chameleons.
https://www.auroraanimalhospital.com/staff/dr-dayna-willems
https://www.auroraanimalhospital.com/staff/dr-dayna-willems
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Papilloma is a relatively harmless, yet spreadable warty growth. Your vet can take a biopsy to determine if that’s what those are. Unfortunately, there is no treatment other than removing them and there is a good chance that they’ll grow back. Those are some pretty big lumps though and while papillomas can indeed grow large, I wonder if there’s more going on there. Do let us know what the vet finds. 
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you! I am going to try the vet in Castle Rock that specializes in reptiles If they cannot diagnose, I will definitely try Dr. Dayna…it is quite a distance from me. Thank you so much for caring and sending a recommendation
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you! I have never experienced this! He is eating well, has a mister, large vertical ventilated enclosure, and full spectrum lights. I have successfully had Chameleon’s before. I do notice though he is drinking lots of water, which also surprises me, he loves hornworms which are hydrating. He loves his crickets, I always gut load them. He does not like Dubai roaches or mealworms, he did like silkworms for a while ( I even raised these) but now no. We shall see what the vet says!! Frustrating!! Thank you for caringPapilloma is a relatively harmless, yet spreadable warty growth. Your vet can take a biopsy to determine if that’s what those are. Unfortunately, there is no treatment other than removing them and there is a good chance that they’ll grow back. Those are some pretty big lumps though and while papillomas can indeed grow large, I wonder if there’s more going on there. Do let us know what the vet finds.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Since you’re already going to the vet, you might want to take a fresh poo for a parasite check. Often drinking lots and picky or changing appetites can be from a parasite.Thank you! I have never experienced this! He is eating well, has a mister, large vertical ventilated enclosure, and full spectrum lights. I have successfully had Chameleon’s before. I do notice though he is drinking lots of water, which also surprises me, he loves hornworms which are hydrating. He loves his crickets, I always gut load them. He does not like Dubai roaches or mealworms, he did like silkworms for a while ( I even raised these) but now no. We shall see what the vet says!! Frustrating!! Thank you for caring
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you!
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you for sending that link. I took Vinci to a reptile vet, they did a needle aspiration on two of the lumps and found pus in them. So it was determined that those are cysts and he has an infection. So now I have to do intramuscular injections of Ceftazidime every 72 hours…. I am used to giving injections to mammals but not reptiles, great
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you so much for sharing this with me! It was very informative!! Today they gave Vinci his first shot to show me how, and they gave it in his HIND leg. After watching and reading some posts…that is absolutely wrong! Thanks again
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thank you so much for sharing this with me! It was very informative!! Today they gave Vinci his first shot to show me how, and they gave it in his HIND leg. After watching and reading some posts…that is absolutely wrong! Thanks again
I sure wish you would have seen Dr. Dayna. She would have know how to give injections and if he even needs antibiotics. I’m not so sure those bumps are infections.
I’m not a vet and speak from experience and what I’ve learned over many years of chameleon keeping.
Even if they are infections, the antibiotics won’t likely get rid of it because chameleon pus is thick like cottage cheese and the antibiotic won’t penetrate it and kill it off. Each bump will have to be cleaned out and flushed and tested to determine what antibiotic will work to get rid of any remaining bacteria.
Even if they are infections, the antibiotics won’t likely get rid of it because chameleon pus is thick like cottage cheese and the antibiotic won’t penetrate it and kill it off. Each bump will have to be cleaned out and flushed and tested to determine what antibiotic will work to get rid of any remaining bacteria.
Da Vinci the Chameleon
New Member
Thank you for the advice
You might find some interesting information here too…
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/reptiles/bacterial-diseases-of-reptiles
“Larger abscesses should be marsupialized, followed by aggressive local wound treatment, including daily antiseptic lavage. The lining of the abscess must be thoroughly scraped to remove as much material as possible.”
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/reptiles/bacterial-diseases-of-reptiles
“Larger abscesses should be marsupialized, followed by aggressive local wound treatment, including daily antiseptic lavage. The lining of the abscess must be thoroughly scraped to remove as much material as possible.”
