Turret Irritation

[BiologyClassroom]

My two and a half year old Meller's Chameleon seems to be in good health, active, and hydrated; however, this past week I have noticed what appears to be a scab (black crustiness) around the slit of her right turret. I found a cricket picking at it and quickly made sure to rid of it; however, I am not sure what to do for the injury (or what I believe to be an injury possibly resulting from rubbing or hitting a cricket away - although correct me if I'm wrong - I am no expert at this). I am not sure whether or not to let it go and see if it will heal on its own or rather to treat it in some way. I have noticed that when she is drinking she is unable to completly shut her right eye due to this problem. I have never had this problem befor any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[chams1]

If it is only on the skin around the eye, you could use some silver sulfadiazine cream (2%) on it. I believe you have to get this by prescription, but it works wonders on any kind of burn, cut or other skin irritation and heals it in no time flat. It's certainly worth going to the vet to get. But be careful and not get this stuff too close to the eye itself or let any water get around the cream as some of it can run into the eye.

If it is in the eye itself, you may want to try some gentimycin (gentacin) which is also by prescription. This really helps to clear up and type of discharge from the eye.

It could have been caused by something else, however, and the cricket was just taking advantage of it. While treating, you need to find the source of the problem and correct that, too.

Without you having filled out the "how to ask for help" form, my answer is more in the "general" format. Obviously, we would need to take a more detailed look at your cham, its living environment, etc. for a more detailed response.

Melleris are my favorite so let's clear up that eye issue!

 

[BiologyClassroom]

Stella

Thank you for the quick response - I will make sure to contact the vet. I am new to this and am not quite sure what form you are talking about - I apologize. I have noticed that it seems to look a bit better since Monday; however, I am afraid that the crickets will continue to limit the healing process. The two ointments suggested will not attract them?

Currently Stella (my Meller) is in my biology classroom in a custom built enclosure - I have had her now for 2 years and have not seemed to have any problems plus the students really enjoy her.

 

[Elizadolots]

Here's a link to the form, just copy and paste, then fill in your responses:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

If you can take and post a picture of the eye, I'm sure that would help.

 

[chams1]

Yes, pictures would help and filling out the form would too.

Quick fix for the crix: cup feed. I cup feed all my chams (my melleri are "bucket" fed....). This is a good way to get away from having the crickets all over the cage, hiding and/or bothering your cham, monitoring how much the cham is eating (or not eating) and having crix waste in your cage. If you do this, the crickets will not have the opportunity to get at your melleri or the eye.

 

[BiologyClassroom]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Melleris Chameleon, about two and a half years old. She has been in my care for two years.
Handling - About twice a month; I try not to handle her too often because she tends to want to explore the Classroom. She is very kind and actually likes when the students enter the room.
Feeding - gutloaded crickets approximately 30 to 45 every other day depending on what she will eat. I try to use a calcium supplement every 3 feedings.
Supplements - Flukers
Watering - I try to give her water every day for at least 20mins. However, there are days that I will leave the dripper on for approximately 30 to 40 on a slow drip. She gets misted at least once a day (maybe skipping a day every once in a great while depending on humidity in cage).
Fecal Description - She was tested once for parasites (negative). She deposits approximately once every two to three days.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - custom built 36" X 36" X 36" wood frame with plexi-glass sides. The top has a screen on which rests a UV light.
Lighting - compact bulb (not sure of brand) Light goes on at 7:30am and off at 8pm.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - The temperature ranges from 70 degrees F at the bottom of the cage to approximately 80 during the day and obviously is lower in during the night. Humidity ranges from 30 to 75 throughout the day
Plants - Artificial plants
Placement - The cage is placed on a counter approximately four feet off the ground (so the top of the cage reaches 7ft - from floor). A very light fan is place at an angle on top of the cage to circulate air; however, it is not pointed in the cage just across the top not to stress her out.
Location - Northeastern Pennsylvania

Current Problem - Slit to eye on the turret appears to be injured. Stella has trouble closing her eye and it actually appears to remain open when she drinks (when the other one is closed). Sorry I don't have a picture at this time.

 

[Carlton]

Another easy to find "medicine cabinet" option is Polysporin (or Neosporin in a pinch) ointment without pain reliever. You want to protect the injury and prevent infection. Both Silvadene and Polysporin will do that.

 

[BiologyClassroom]

Her eye is shut today and she seems to be struggling to open it. I am afraid to put anything on it being that it is so close to the actual eye. Any help is appreciated!

I keep the crickets in a bowl; however, some always tend to escape (I will try to eliminate the cage of all crickets today and we will see what happens)
At this point though I am more concerned with the eye healing

 

[Julirs]

The compact lights have been known to cause some of the eye issues-older models and some brands more than others. I would replace the UVB light(they need to be changed out every 6-9 months), but in the mean time it sounds like a Vet visit is in order.