Chameleon Stomatisis (Mouth Rot)

A considerable under bite on a panther male; this is caused by
swelling between the lips and gumline due to the infection
stomatitis.

Stomatitis is also known as mouth rot and it can affect a large number of different reptile species. It is a bacterial infection that can affect the gums, palate and occasionally the tongue. Early indications of stomatitis will be a discoloured gumline and brownish yellow matter around the base of the teeth and gums. You may also notice a slight overbite or swelling of the lower jaw and occasionally dried scab like matter on the edge of the mouth. It may also affect the symmetry of the mouth where the lips meet giving a slight wavy effect down the side of the mouth. If abnormalities such as these are noticed inside or around the mouth, then it is paramount that you get your animal checked by a reptile veterinarian as soon as possible, as if left untreated, the disease can quickly take a strong hold and start invading the teeth and even eat deep into the jawbone.

Stomatitis can be a secondary infection caused by a trauma inside the mouth due to a scratch or wound. This can be down to something very simple, like a sharp insect leg puncturing the gums when being chewed upon. It is then that the infection, usually caused by the bacteria “pseudomonas” manifests itself in the injured area and starts to attack the gum line, teeth and maxillary bone in the jaw.

Depending on the severity of the problem the treatment for stomatitis will usually involve the animal being anaesthetised, any infected teeth or bone will then be surgically removed. Antibiotics will also be prescribed and the vet may also give you an anti-bacterial solution to apply to the affected area for a number of weeks after treatment.

The best way to avoid stomatitis is by keeping your animals habitat as clean and bacteria free as possible. It is also advisable to perform monthly checks inside your animals mouth to look for signs of abnormalities that may be the start of infection.

If mouth rot is caught early enough, then treatment and recovery can be relatively easy going although care must be taken to prevent re-occurring infection.