Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my jacksons for around 3 years now and its all been smooth sailin till now. Around 2 weeks ago i noticed the corners of his mouth were alittle red so i began treating with a product called rot guard that is an all natural antibacterial treatment. It seems to have been healing untill two days ago and all a sudden has got much worse only on one side though. The corver of his jaw is very swollen and I can tell he is in pain, he just stopped eating today but is still drinking, I water him with a handheld pressure sprayer. I have had peroxide, neosporin, penniclyin, tetracycline, terramyicin recommened for treating the problem. The local farm store has penniclyin in liquid form, fish store has tetracycline for aquariums. I really dont know what to do and it would be devestating to lose him. If anyone can help or offer any advice i would really appreciate your time and couldnt thank you enough. I have tried to find a vet in my area but no luck with one that will do reptiles. His enclousure is a 65 gal reptarium, 1 ficus, 1 hibiscus, 1 potho, bunch or bend a branches, 1 100w daylight zoomed bulb, 1 24" flor. uvb, 1 18' palnt bulb. If I forgot to metion anything just let me know and I will put it up. Thanks again to anyone who can offer any help.
Thanks, Jared

Some pictures would really help. Is there any "slimy" formation around his lips or the bloaded area? Also, 100Watt seems kinda high for a jackson, did he always have that bulb or was it recent? Just making sure its not a thermal burn or blister in which case antibiotics would do nothing.

My house stays rather cool righ now around 65-74 degrees farienhiet, I have been using a 60 watt bulb but just switched. It dosent sit directly ontop of his cage I have it fixed so it is several inches above it. The description of the gland infection sounds like what it looks like. A picture really would help but I do no have a digital camera, really wish I did for this.

Maybe the pictures in these sites will help...

Temporal gland....
http://ADCHAM.com/html/husbandry/glossary/temporal.html

"Surgical Removal of Temporal Gland in
Jackson's Chameleon"
http://www.mythicalchameleons.com/ivanjax.htm

"Surgical Removal of Mandibular Abscess in C.
Johnstoni Chameleon"
http://www.mythicalchameleons.com/ivanjohn.htm

Thanks a ton for these websites i think it will really help out when i take him to the vet cant thankyou enough for you doing this

It sounds like a temporal gland infection if its right at the
corner of the mouth where the upper and lower jaws meet. From
what I've heard and read, this is usually not the easiest
thing to get rid of...and since you've tried some things
already and they didn't work....I would recommend a visit to
the vet's. Even if its an abcess (which is another
possibilty), the area will need to be cleaned out and some of
the "pus" tested to see what bacteria is involved. Then, the
appropriate treatment can be prescribed. There's no point
using an antibiotic that won't kill the bacteria involved.
Hope all goes well for your chameleon!

n/p
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Thanks for all the help so far to everyone who has posted. I found one vet that will look at him and have an appt. monday. I have tried to find the vet listings on kingsnake.com but have been unable. Can someone direct me to the spot on this site were the vet listings are.

THanks again, jared

sorry jared...I did that in a hurry and should have directed you to the post (it was down under the "bulging eye" thread).

The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV)
http://www.arav.org/
Articles and listings of vets by state

Vet listings by state
http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#vetlist

Vet Connection
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
Real people experiences - has state listing

lele
Chameleon Help & Resource Info

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha