Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my females has a dark patch on one side. Seems to have quickly appeared over the course of 20 hours. At first I thought she'd just been messy eating (she's a piglet) and got some butter worm guts stained on her. But after closer inspection I've confirmed its definitely darkened skin. THe mark is dark brown/blackish (she is peachy brown) and it is about the size of a quarter, though more oval than round.

I'm thinking it might be a bruise. Concerned she may have fallen and hurt herself, though she is moving find and attitude is unchanged. Could perhaps be an infection?

I guess I'll take her to the vet, but as there are no local vets who have much knowledge of chameleons, I’m seeking your input also please!

I will post a picture later.

Background: she's middle-aged, always has very good appetite (varied insects), expected to lay unfertilized eggs in a few weeks, normal temperature and humidity ranges, no chance of contact burn, has always been and continues to be quite active.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

Could it be a fungus?

Fungus? well gross. i hope not. what do i look for? I won't be able to see a vet with her until late next week.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

Most of the fungal infections that I have seen on chameleons are just grey patches/spots. There is one (CANV) that starts off with grey patches and then pox-like blisters appear.

Sorry I can't find any pictures to show you.

A vet could do a test to see if its fungal.

I'm going to take her to the vet this coming week (not open at Easter). I'll let you know what she says.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

The mark has gone from dark to grey, so it seems likley you are right. Here is a picture of her.

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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

Well, the vet didnt know what Clemie's skin problem is. We've decided to give all my chams a de-worming / anti-parasite medicine (liquid given over five days). Vets advice is just to keep an eye on the patches on her skin, and see if they improve or worsen/change. Could be fungal, could be baterial, could be just about anything. I do wish there was a subject matter expert in my city!

Two pictures here are Clemie normal, and one shows her skin condition.

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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

You said..."the vet didnt know what Clemie's skin problem is" and "Vets advice is just to keep an eye on the patches on her skin, and see if they improve or worsen/change. Could be fungal, could be baterial, could be just about anything. "...did he/she do any testing to see if anything turned up? If blisters/pox start to form anywhere, make sure you take her back. The pox/blisters I've seen/heard about are often deadly....and the chameleon/lizard shows no signs of being ill until its on death's doorstep.

You said..."We've decided to give all my chams a de-worming / anti-parasite medicine (liquid given over five days)"...any testing done first to see which parasites your chameleon may have, if any?

No testing done whatsoever.

The vet that I see (who beieve it or not is the most informed available) really doesnt know much about chameleons.

Do you happen to know what tests could/should be done? I could pass this along to her in the hopes she could look-up and learn how to proceed. I do not want to loose my cham to a fungus! She is looking a bit dehydrated (sunken head), though she eats and drinks as much a normal. Otherwise she seems fine, apart from these dark (now goign grey) patches. I am worried.

The liguid medication she has provided to me is called panacur susp 10% and I am to give very small measured amounts to each cham daily for five (now four) days.

Thanks for your input
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

For parasites, a fecal should be done to determine what(if any) parasites your chameleon has. Even on clear fecal doesn't ensure that your chameleon is clean because some parasites only shed periodically.

For the spots, she will need to test to see if there is any bacteria, virus or fungus there. I don't know what the name of the tests are, but she should know....because they are generally the same for any animal.

You said..."The liguid medication she has provided to me is called panacur susp 10% and I am to give very small measured amounts to each cham daily for five (now four) days"...panacur (aka fenbendazole) is the normal parasite medication for round worms or nematodes and such...but won't kill all parasites. For example it can't kill all flukes or tapeworms.

Vet is now has fecal samples to check.

I have been given a quote of $900 to have a skin biopsy done and have the skin sample checked. This is of course on top of the $400 already spent in the last short while on this chameleon, regarding this skin issue.

If I spend the $900, it doesnt resolve anything and it doesnt even necessarily tell me what the problem is.

As much as this chameleon matters to me, I'm not sure I can spend another $900 plus whatever comes next for treatment or futher diagnostic. Primarily because this would severely impact my ability to take care of my other pets, should anything come up. It is a tough decision. Made worse that my vet is now on vacation, So I would allowing someone not famliar with repitles to give anesthetic and take the sample.

A fellow in town who has veilds has recommended I treat the her skin topically myself with poly-sporin or an anti-fungal athlete's foot medication. I'm wary.

Any thoughts?

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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

You said..."A fellow in town who has veilds has recommended I treat the her skin topically myself with poly-sporin or an anti-fungal athlete's foot medication. I'm wary."...are the spots changing at all? Is she developing any new ones?

No Change. Well, no change to the skin blotches. She has just laid eggs (on schedule, no apparent issues) so is now quite a bit skinnier. Her attitude is unchanged. Her eating habits are normal. I havent been back to the vet for a biopsy - partially because I knew she had to lay her eggs, partially lack of rapport with the vet that is subbing for mine, and partially because I am hesitating to spend that kind of cash for a procedure that is possibly dangerous to her and possibly not worthwhile.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada