Common Chameleon Diseases that Beginners Should Know

Chameleons are one of the most uniquely captivating exotic pets you can own.

With their color changing abilities, independently rotating eyes, projectile tongues and prehensile tails, they are fascinating creatures to have as a pet.

However, their specialized needs also make them challenging pets requiring a dedicated owner willing to provide proper care.

While visually striking, chameleons require very specific housing, lighting, humidity, and dietary requirements to remain healthy. Their natural habitats and behaviors make them more delicate than other reptile pets.

Even slight errors in their husbandry can quickly lead to stress and illness.

Unfortunately, chameleons are prone to several health issues in captivity. Many of these diseases are preventable with correct care, but they can become severe or fatal if left untreated.

As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to learn how to recognize signs of sickness, prevent common diseases, and seek veterinary treatment when needed.

In this in-depth guide, we will cover the following topics:

The most common chameleon diseases pet owners should know
Underlying causes and risk factors for these illnesses
How to identify symptoms of sickness in chameleons
Ways to prevent disease through proper husbandry
When to seek veterinary care for a sick chameleon
Treatment options for common chameleon health conditions

Arming yourself with knowledge about chameleon diseases will help you provide the best care for your pet.

Let’s explore the key illnesses chameleons can develop when kept in captivity.

Table of Contents

Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is the most prevalent health problem seen in pet chameleons. MBD causes weak, deformed bones and other skeletal abnormalities. This painful, debilitating disease can be fatal if left untreated.

What Causes Metabolic Bone Disease?

MBD is caused by an improper balance of calcium, vitamin D3 and phosphorus in the body. Lack of sufficient calcium and/or vitamin D3 are the primary reasons MBD develops.

In chameleons, MBD usually stems from:

Inadequate UVB lighting – Without enough UVB exposure, chameleons cannot properly synthesize vitamin D3 naturally. This vitamin is critical for calcium absorption.
Poor nutrition – Not gut loading feeder insects with calcium-rich foods or failing to supplement insects with calcium causes a deficiency.

Recognizing Signs of Metabolic Bone Disease

Early symptoms of MBD can be subtle such as slight tremors or difficulty climbing. More obvious signs include:

Rubbery, soft jaw – The lower mandible loses rigidity and appears to almost wobble.
Bowed legs – Improperly formed bones lead to curved femurs and tibias.
Hind limb weakness – Chameleons have trouble gripping branches with their back legs.
Spinal curvatures – The backbone can bow into unnatural front-to-back and side-to-side curves.
Fractures – Weak, brittle bones from MBD often lead to broken legs and ribs.
Difficulty hunting – Without a rigid jaw and proper limb strength, chameleons struggle to catch prey.

MBD is considered an extremely painful disease over time. Pain combined with physical disability leads to a poor quality of life. Reversing damage is difficult, so prevention is critical.

Preventing Metabolic Bone Disease

Preventing MBD centers on providing:

Full spectrum UVB lighting – Use a high quality 5.0 or 10.0 UVB tube light and replace it every 6-12 months.
Proper calcium supplementation – Lightly coat feeder insects in calcium carbonate powder prior to feeding.
Calcium-rich insect gut loading – Feed crickets, roaches, and worms calcium-loaded produce like collard greens.
Multivitamin dusting – Use a reptile multivitamin once or twice a month.

With attentive husbandry, MBD is fully preventable in captive chameleons. But if signs develop, immediate veterinary evaluation and treatment is key.

Treating Metabolic Bone Disease

While already malformed bones cannot be reversed, further progression of MBD can be stopped through:

Oral calcium and vitamin supplements – A reptile veterinarian will prescribe the correct types and dosages to rebalance nutrients.
Injectable vitamin supplements – In severe cases, injections help deliver key vitamins faster than oral methods.
Full spectrum lighting changes – Proper UVB light is critical for long term management.
Potential bone surgeries – Some severe fractures and deformities may need surgical intervention.

With an intense supplementation routine and UV lighting corrections, chameleons can make a full recovery from early stage MBD. But the disease must be caught early before handicapping damage sets in. Any signs of MBD warrant an immediate vet visit.

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are another common health problem in pet chameleons. These infections affect the upper and lower respiratory tract. Symptoms primarily result from environmental factors like low temperatures and excess humidity.

Causes of Respiratory Infections

The main causes of respiratory disease in chameleons include:

Cold temperatures – Consistently cool temperatures compromise the immune system and make infections more likely.
Poor ventilation – Stale, humid air provides an environment for pathogens to grow.
Stress – Stress leads to hormonal changes that decrease immune function.

Viral, fungal, and bacterial agents can all infect a chameleon’s respiratory system. But improper cage conditions are typically the underlying cause of illness.

Recognizing Respiratory Infection Symptoms

Signs of respiratory disease in chameleons may include:

Congestion – Mucus discharge from the nose.
Wheezing – Whistling sound when breathing.
Open mouth breathing – Constant wide gaping due to airway obstruction.
Coughing – Forced exhalations that appear as bubbles around the mouth.
Loss of appetite – Not eating or drinking normally.
Lethargy – Overall lack of normal activity and energy.
Irritability – Aggressive reactions to being handled when normally docile.

Catching respiratory infections promptly is crucial before pneumonia develops. Rapid breathing, anorexia, and excessive mucus signal the need for medical intervention.

Preventing Respiratory Infections

Preventing respiratory disease involves:

Proper temperatures – Maintain optimal day and night temperature ranges.
Good ventilation – Allow airflow without drafts.
Cleanliness – Change substrates and disinfect cages regularly.
Reduced stressors – Limit handling and provide adequate cage furnishings.

Eliminating other husbandry errors that cause stress or weaken the immune system also helps prevent infection. Never allow chameleons to become chilled.

Treating Respiratory Infections

Bacterial respiratory infections require antibiotic medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Common drugs used include enrofloxacin (Baytril) and ceftazidime.

Supportive care like warm mist treatments may also be recommended. With quick medical care, most mild respiratory infections can be cured within 2-4 weeks.

Letting infections worsen before veterinary treatment endangers your chameleon’s life. Seek help immediately at the first signs of illness.

Dehydration

Many of the most serious chameleon illnesses stem from one underlying problem – dehydration. Low fluid intake causes a cascade of health troubles.

What Leads to Dehydration?

Chameleons develop dehydration when they are not provided adequate drinking opportunities. Common causes include:

Irregular misting – Not misting daily leads to low humidity.
No drinking glass – Chameleons rarely drink from standing water bowls.
Low ambient humidity – Levels below 40% dry the air and your chameleon’s skin.
Excessive heat – High temperatures increase fluid loss.
Respiratory illness – Infections disrupt normal drinking behaviors.

With their limited capacity to retain water, chameleons dehydrate faster than many reptiles when husbandry is improper.

Recognizing Signs of Dehydration

Look for these signs that indicate a chameleon is dehydrated:

Sunken eyes – The eyes recess back towards the skull.
Dry, wrinkled skin
Dark stress colors – Grays and blacks appear across the body.
Lethargy – Little movement or activity.
Irregular urates – Urates stretch in length instead of round shape.
Increased skin shedding – Pieces of dry skin flake off.
Loss of appetite

Severe dehydration can happen rapidly in chameleons. Addressing it early is critical.

Preventing Dehydration

Preventing dehydration involves:

Twice daily mistings – Mist foliage, cage decor, and your chameleon lightly.
Live plants – Natural foliage collects water from misting better than artificial decor.
Rain systems – Automated rain towers provide constant water.
Plentiful drinking options – Different levels give access to water droplets.
Proper humidity – Use hygrometers to monitor and maintain 50-60% humidity.

Providing consistent hydration prevents the myriad of illnesses dryness causes.

Treating Dehydration

If your chameleon shows early signs of dehydration, immediately address husbandry. Increase misting frequency and monitor humidity levels.

For more severe dehydration, fluid therapy by a veterinarian may be necessary. Injectable fluids and electrolyte solutions can rapidly rehydrate a seriously dehydrated chameleon. Nutritional fluids containing key vitamins and minerals also aid recovery.

With oral and injectable rehydration therapy, most cases of dehydration can be successfully treated. But preventing it in the first place is far better through attentive husbandry.

Gastrointestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites are an unfortunate reality for many reptile pets, including chameleons. Microscopic protozoa and worms can wreak havoc on their gastrointestinal system.

What Causes Parasitic Infections?

Parasites spread through:

Contaminated prey – Wild caught insects often harbor parasites.
Dirty environment – Feces and urates left in the cage spread parasites.
Direct contact – Some parasites transmit chameleon to chameleon.

Newly acquired chameleons are especially likely to have a heavy parasite load. But all chameleons are susceptible in unhygienic conditions.

Recognizing Signs of Parasites

Look for these possible signs of a gastrointestinal parasite infection:

Weight loss – Failure to gain or loss of mass over time.
Loss of appetite – Disinterest in eating.
Diarrhea – Abnormally loose, watery stool.
Vomiting – Regurgitation of undigested prey.
Distended belly – Swollen lower abdomen.
General lethargy – Low activity and energy levels.

While parasites can multiply, mild infections sometimes show no obvious clinical symptoms. Testing is the only way to identify them.

Preventing Intestinal Parasites

Preventing parasite infections includes:

Quarantine new chameleons – Isolate them for 90 days before introducing to your main cage.
Thorough cage cleaning – Disinfect the enclosure between each inhabitant.
No wild caught prey – Feed only clean, captive raised feeder insects.
Routine vet checks – Have fecals tested every 6-12 months.

Parasitic infections caught early are easier to treat. Be proactive with prevention methods.

Treating Parasitic Infections

Only veterinarians can diagnose parasites from fecal tests and provide proper deworming medication. Common anti-parasitic drugs used include fenbendazole and ivermectin.

Follow-up fecal tests are needed to confirm the infection has cleared after treatment. Be sure to thoroughly sterilize the enclosure after medication concludes.

Most parasitic infections can be eliminated with attentive prevention and proper medication when discovered. But they can quickly become deadly without intervention.

Mouth Infections

Mouth infections, clinically called stomatitis, are a common chameleon health issue. Bacteria and viruses invading the mouth cause serious problems.

What Causes Mouth Infections?

Factors that enable mouth infections include:

Dirty water sources – Unclean drinking glasses allow pathogen transmission.
Prey contamination – Germs on feeder insects transfer during eating.
Small wounds – Cuts in the mouth from prey provide viral/bacterial entry points.
Cold temperatures – Just like respiratory infections, the cold suppresses immunity.

Oral injuries, low temperatures, dirty conditions, and contaminated prey work in tandem to spur mouth infections.

Recognizing Signs of Mouth Infections

Look for these indicators of a mouth infection:

Swollen gums – Gums appear puffy and inflamed.
Excess salivation – Increased drooling from the mouth.
Chewed food falling out – Prey is pushed out of a loosening mouth.
Loss of appetite
Difficulty closing mouth – The mouth hangs open slightly.
Lesions and scabs – Sores appear on the gums and lip commissures.

Without treatment, mouth rot leads to abscessed teeth, jaw swelling, and potentially fatal systemic infections.

Preventing Mouth Infections

To avoid mouth infections:

Disinfect water glasses frequently – Clean drinking glasses prevent pathogen spread.
Use clean prey – Feed only pathogen-free gut loaded insects.
Rinse food in water – Washing crickets and worms removes germs.
Maintain proper temperatures – Keep the cage warm enough for the species.

Good cage hygiene and husbandry give pathogens fewer opportunities to infect your chameleon’s mouth.

Treating Mouth Infections

Veterinarians typically prescribe antibiotic injections and topical medicines to treat mouth infections based on culture results. Common antibiotics include enrofloxacin (Baytril) and ceftazidime.

Antiseptic rinses applied with a cotton swab help clear up inflammation and lesions. In severe cases, infected teeth may need extraction.

With aggressive medication, most cases of mouth rot and stomatitis can be resolved. But delaying treatment risks the infection spreading systemically. Seek veterinary help at the earliest signs.

Egg Binding

A dangerous reproductive disorder seen in female chameleons is egg binding, also called dystocia. When a female chameleon cannot pass her eggs, they become bound inside her.

What Causes Egg Binding?

Common causes of egg binding include:

Poor muscle tone – Weak abdominal muscles prevent egg passage.
Small pelvic girdle – The opening eggs must pass through is too narrow.
Improper husbandry – Incorrect temperatures, hydration, or diet.
Deformities – Abnormal shelf-like pelvic bones block eggs.
Old age – Loss of muscle strength prevents contractions.

While an occasional disorder, Egg binding more commonly results from environmental or physical issues prevent natural egg laying.

Recognizing Signs of Egg Binding

Egg bound chameleons display:

Swollen abdomen – Distended lower belly full of eggs.
Open mouthed breathing – Effort to get more oxygen while straining.
Small feces – Feces size decreases as eggs crowd the colon.
Loss of appetite
Irritation and aggression – Pain and discomfort change normal temperament.
Straining – Forceful contractions trying to pass eggs.

Egg binding quickly becomes fatal without veterinary intervention. It should be treated as a dire emergency.

Preventing Egg Binding

To help avoid egg binding:

Ensure proper temperatures – Keep optimal basking areas and ambient warmth.
Provide outdoor UVB – Unfiltered sunlight supports healthy egg development.
Good hydration and nutrition – Mist thoroughly and gut load prey.
Appropriate nesting sites – Offer suitable egg laying locations.

Meeting all husbandry requirements decreases the chances of dystocia. But it can still sometimes occur randomly.

Treating Egg Binding

Emergency veterinary care is required for an egg bound chameleon. Common interventions may include:

Oxytocin injections – Oxytocin stimulates strong contractions to expel eggs.
Calcium injections – Calcium aids muscle function.
Surgery – Manual egg removal if medical therapy fails.
Supportive care – Fluids, nutritional support, and pain control.

With quick veterinary treatment, egg bound chameleons can still survive and breed in the future. But rapid action is essential once egg binding is suspected.

Thermal Burns

Chameleons are prone to serious thermal burns from heat lamps and heating pads. These painful injuries require urgent treatment.

What Causes Thermal Burns?

Burns typically happen when:

Heat sources are too close – Allowing direct access to heat lamps or pads.
Temperatures are too hot – Exceeding optimal basking spot temperatures.
Inadequate shade – Lack of cooler hides to escape heat.

Chameleons regulate temperature by moving closer or further from heat sources. But if heat is excessive or accessible, burns result.

Recognizing Signs of Thermal Burns

Look for these signs of burns on your chameleon:

Blistering – Fluid-filled bubbles on the skin.
Blackened skin – Dead tissue takes on a charred appearance.
Body position changes – Twisting abnormally to avoid contact with heat.
Increased shedding – Damaged skin sloughs off quicker.
Loss of appetite
Lethargy – Decreased normal activity.

Burn severity ranges from mild with minimal blistering to third degree with widespread tissue death.

Preventing Thermal Burns

Prevent burns by:

Keeping heat sources outside cages
Using lower wattage bulbs – Match to proper temperature ranges.
Providing multiple basking spots – Gives cooling down options.
Arranging fixtures safely – Prevent direct access or contact.
Monitoring temperatures – Ensure optimal gradients are maintained.

Simple adjustments to heating setups drastically reduce the risk of thermal injuries.

Treating Thermal Burns

Seek veterinary assistance for moderate to severe burns.

Treatment may involve:

Pain management – Avoiding infection is the priority. Topical antibiotics and bandaging help prevent sepsis. With proper care, most burns heal well over time. But the damage can be fatal if untreated. Thermal injuries should be considered veterinary emergencies.

Tail Rot

A common infection in chameleons is tail rot, which causes tissue damage and tail loss. Excessive moisture facilitates this serious bacterial disease.

What Causes Tail Rot?

Tail rot primarily results from:

Poor cage hygiene – Wet substrates and infrequent cleaning promote bacteria.
High humidity – Consistently damp conditions.
Poor circulation – Restricted blood flow speeds tissue death.

Open wounds that become infected are another source of tail rot. But poor moisture management is the main culprit.

Recognizing Signs of Tail Rot

Look for:

Darkened tail tip – The end of the tail turns black.
Peeling skin – Dead tissue detaches in sheds.
Swollen tail base – Fluid buildup causes swelling near the vent.
Foul odor – Rotting tissue smells unpleasant.
Loss of tail – Dead bone, cartilage, and skin sloughs off.

Tail rot can lead to potentially fatal systemic infections if wounds are left unattended. Aggressive treatment is essential.

Preventing Tail Rot

Reduce the chance of tail rot by:

Allowing cages to fully dry out – Provide a wet/dry cycle instead of constant moisture.
Using absorbent substrates – Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, and orchid bark hold some moisture while still permitting air flow.
Spot cleaning frequently – Remove soiled substrates promptly.

Good husbandry and hygiene standards greatly lower infection risks. But tail injuries should receive prompt first aid.

Treating Tail Rot

See a veterinarian at the first sign of infection. Treatment involves:

Antibiotic injections or topical creams – Enrofloxacin or silver sulfadiazine creams are commonly used.
Antiseptic soaks – Soaking the tail in betadine or chlorhexidine helps clear debris from wounds.
Partial tail amputation – Removing dead tissue is sometimes necessary to stop infections from spreading.

With medications and proper wound care, mild cases of tail rot can be healed. But delaying treatment risks losing the entire tail or developing sepsis.

Kidney Disease

Unmanaged dehydration over time frequently leads to kidney problems in chameleons. Kidney dysfunction and failure can become fatal.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease most often results from:

Chronic dehydration – Consistently inadequate fluid intake.
Suboptimal temperatures – Heat stress increases fluid requirements.
Inappropriate antibiotics – Some antibiotics are nephrotoxic with prolonged use.
Old age – Gradual organ decline.

Kidney problems do not appear suddenly. They are the end result of prolonged poor care and husbandry errors.

Recognizing Signs of Kidney Disease

Look for these possible signs:

Swollen head and neck – Fluid retention causes swelling.
Anorexia – Complete lack of appetite.
Lethargy – Little activity or movement.
Trouble urinating – Discolored or abnormal urates.
Weight loss
Hunched posture – Standing with an arched back.

Kidney disease is frequently advanced once symptoms are obvious. Early blood work helps detect problems sooner.

Preventing Kidney Disease

Reduce kidney disease risks by:

Providing abundant hydration – Mist frequently and monitor humidity.
Offering water glasses – Most chameleons will drink standing water when ill.
Annual checkups – Have baseline bloodwork done to evaluate organ function.
Avoiding nephrotoxic drugs – Use injectable vitamins instead of oral.

Thoroughly addressing hydration and nutrition prevents the majority of age-related organ failure.

Treating Kidney Disease

No direct cure exists for kidney disease, but supportive care can prolong life. Treatment may include:

Fluid therapy – Injectable fluids flush toxins and rehydrate.
Diuretics – Medications to increase fluid loss from the body.
Diet changes – Low protein, low phosphorus foods place less strain on kidneys.
Antioxidants – Vitamins C and E support kidney cell health.
Appetite stimulants – Drugs to encourage eating and drinking.

With intensive therapy, end stage kidney failure can potentially be delayed or managed for some time. But euthanasia is unfortunately inevitable eventually.

Conclusion on common health issues

The specialized needs of chameleons make them prone to certain illnesses in captivity if care is improper. However, nearly all common chameleon diseases can be prevented through attentive husbandry and avoiding key errors.

Providing suitable humidity, ample drinking opportunities, a varied diet, full spectrum lighting, and proper temperatures reduces the incidence of disease enormously.

Cleanliness, routine veterinary checks, quarantining new chameleons, and strict hygiene protocols also lower risks.

Even experienced keepers sometimes face chameleon illnesses. The critical factor is catching problems early before they become critical. Learn to recognize subtle symptoms your pet may show and seek qualified exotic veterinary care at the first signs of sickness.

With attentive prevention and timely treatment, most ill chameleons can fully recover and thrive. Responsible pet ownership and vigilance will help your chameleon live a long, comfortable life full of beautiful color changes and healthy behaviors.

By following the guidance in this article, you can avoid the most common diseases and enjoy your fascinating pet reptile.