Chameleon Medical: Stomatitis

Stomatitis is a bacterial infection of the mouth. Bacteria is all around us and constantly trying to break into our bodies. Our immune system fights bacteria back all day. But when the body is weakened by poor husbandry conditions or a nasty breech of the protective skin layer, bacteria can take hold and reproduce faster than the immune system can respond. This is what creates an infection.

Bacterial infections are deadly and, more than just cause puss and swelling, they can eat bone away.

The mouth competes with the lungs as the most likely place for an infection to set in. The mouth is particularly susceptible due to regularly being in contact with food items that are fighting back. Injury is a constant danger and each time the immune system will have to fight off the opportunistic bacteria wishing to make an infection.

Bacterial infections are identified by the swelling. For stomatitis we look for swelling along the jaw line. I also recommend looking inside the mouth as often as you get an opportunity to check to see if anything is amiss inside.

This is the results of an advanced case of stomatitis. This chameleon has been cleaned and is on the road to recovery. But obvious damage has been done.

Another view of our advanced case attempting to recover. (This chameleon actually lived a couple of years beyond this disfiguring experience.)

This swelling came out the side of the mouth area instead of along the dental arcade. This was, presumably, because whatever started the initial injury happened deeper into the throat area than usual.

Treating a bacterial infection is always dual pronged. First, go see your veterinarian for antibiotics and, second, correct the condition which caused the weakened immune system to begin with.

Vet visit: A veterinarian is necessary for antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are usually given in oral or injectable forms. The best way to go about treatment is to get the bacteria cultured and the correct antibiotic prescribed. Usually, though, the vet just prescribes a “broad spectrum” antibiotic that has a history of being effective with the most common strains. It is critical to follow through the entire antibiotic course even if improvement has been shown in order to reduce the chances of producing antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Investigation of Cause: The second part of treating an infection is to correct the cause. If the cause is not addressed then the infection will return. If the compromised immunity that allowed the bacteria to take hold was because of a substandard husbandry condition, that condition must be corrected.

Bacterial infections ave a great chance of recovery if they are caught early. The more advanced the infection the harder it is to beat it back.