Common Illnesses, Symptoms, and Home Treatments
**NOTE: Do not rely on these home treatments to fix the illness or problem. These should be used upon
first recognizing the problem in order to stop, or slow the process of further damage. Remember, always
take your chameleon to the vet if they have an illness or disease.**
Dehydration
--Dehydration is caused by the lack of water. The most common early signs of
dehydration are sunken in eyes, dry skin, uncommonly dark colors, and weakness.
To remedy this, there are three steps you must do. First you must mist your chameleon several times each day.
Second, you need to feed your chameleon Pedialyte with an eyedropper. Make sure not to
squirt too much Pedialyte into your chameleon's mouth at a time. You should do this
twice a day. Last, you can take the plant out of the cage (with your chameleon on it) and put it in the shower.
Then, turn on the shower with VERY low pressure using luke warm water. Do so for about
an hour, then replace the plant and chameleon back to the cage. You should always see a vet
if your chameleon is sick, and make sure to check with your vet to see if these directions
that I have provided are appropriate for your chameleon's situation. If signs of dehydration still persist after following these steps for more than 3 days, please
consult a specialized reptile veterinarian ASAP.
Eye Infections
--Eye infections are usually caused by something stuck in the chameleon's eye. This can
be cured at home, if the proper steps are taken. First, you must look at the eye and
try to find the object that is stuck in the eye. Second, you must take your chameleon
out of the cage and hold him/her over a sink. Next, fill a clean eyedropper with luke
warm water. Then, with slight pressure, shoot the water onto the eye. Repeat this
process a few times, and this should help flush the object out of the eye.
--Ficus Trees are mildly toxic and are known to make a white milky substance that causes
eye infections. The common signs from this are white milky substance around the eye,
and it will also cause the eye to appear sunken in and very dark colored.
Metabolic Bone Disease
--The main cause of Metabolic Bone Disease is the lack of calcium D3. The most common
signs of Metabolic Bone Disease are bowed limbs, spinal deformation, shaky movement,
weakness, and the inability to chew properly. The following two procedures must be done
immediately. First, you must provide the proper light exposure, which is a UVA/UVB
Full Spectrum Light. This kind of light is made by Zoo-Med. For more information on
this product, please refer to the supplies page. Second
you must use two insect dusting products made by Rep-Cal in order to provide the proper
calcium and vitamins. These products are also found in the supplies page.
If this is caught early enough, and immediate attention is taken then there is still a
good chance of your chameleon's survival.
Mouth Infections/Tongue Infections
--Mouth infections are usually caused during feeding. A chameleon may suffer from a mouth
or tongue infection if the chameleon's tongue hits a hard surface when trying to catch
a cricket, or if it hyperextend the tongue while trying to catch a cricket. The most
common signs of a mouth infection are swollen mouth, yellow or white gel inside the
mouth, or difficulty in chewing food. The only treatment for any kind of mouth infection
is immediate antibiotics, prescribed by your specialized veterinarian.
Respiratory Infection
--Respiratory infections can be caused by improper lighting, improper temperature,
improper humidity, or a dirty/dusty environment. The most common signs of a respiratory
infection are open mouth, noisy forced breathing and loss of appetite. To remedy a
respiratory infection, first it is necessary to do a full cage and environment cleaning.
For more information on cleaning the chameleon's cage and environment, go to the
cleaning your chameleon's cage and environment page.
Second, you must maintain the proper constant daytime temperature and humidity, allowing a
10°F-15°F drop at night. Last, you should always take your chameleon to the
vet for proper examination ASAP. The veterinarian will often give you medications
and/or a shot for your chameleon.
Stress
--Stress can be caused by many things, but the most common are mainly caused by the
chameleon's enclosure. The 2 most common signs of stress are darker colors for an
extended period of time and grasping onto branches and holding their bodies close to
the branch. If you add a new cage accessory or plant into the cage, a chameleon will
often become stressed, and stay on the opposite side of that cage, away from the new
plant or accessory. This stress might last up to 3 days, but there is no need to take
out the new accessory or plant, just let the chameleon get used to it, and it will
realize that there is no need to be stressed. If your chameleon seems stressed beyond
3 days, then I recommend taking out the new accessory or plant. Another reason for
stress might be caused by improper lighting or heating. You must provide the proper
light exposure, which is a UVA/UVB Full Spectrum Light and you must maintain a constant
daytime temperature and humidity, allowing a 10°F-15°F drop at night.
**Before you purchase a chameleon, you should look around in your area in order to find
a specialized reptile veterinarian. Be sure to tell the veterinarian the species of
chameleon that you plan to purchase, so he/she may know exactly what to do if your
chameleon ever becomes ill and needs attention. You should take your chameleon in for
a regular checkup, as well as any time you think your chameleon might be sick. When you
take your chameleon into the vet, you may want to take in a feces sample, this will
often help the vet figure out what is wrong with your chameleon.**
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