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My chameleon's lip turned black after abscess. Is it mouth rot?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Chameleon | Male | unneutered | 0.25 lbs

Hello, I believe I already sent a question but received no confirmation that it had been sent, and no answer, so I'm sending another. My chameleon Regin suddenly morphed his lip to black a few days ago and it has stayed that way since. He recently got an abscess removed, which healed and has stayed gray, but the black marks on his lip which he morphed into will not go away. Could it be mouth rot?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Todd Cecil

Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on February 20th, 2019

Thanks for reaching out about Regin. The black skin could be either a sign of skin trauma or skin necrosis. Reptiles have black pigments (melanin) that is part of the immune system, that responds to infections and inflammation. If the skin has lost the blood supply and died, it could turn black also.
You should contact your veterinarian for a recheck. If there is a persistant infeciton, antibiotics are warranted again.
Good luck.
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