A chameleon is very good at hiding symptoms of illness. It is possible for chameleons to hide their illnesses very well.
The presence of signs of sickness demonstrates weakness to predators and increases the risk that they will be eaten.
Most pet chameleons are safe in their enclosure, but these instincts to conceal sickness can create confusion among pet owners, making it nearly impossible for them to recognize signs of sickness.
If you know the warning signs of your chameleon being sick, you can seek veterinary treatment sooner rather than later. Here are 5 major symptoms which you should take care of.
Feeling unable to eat
Your chameleon may show signs that it is sick if it does not eat. Inappetance could indicate that any pet is ill.
However, the lack of appetite of chameleons can be harder to detect than that of other animals.
Due to the fact that live crickets are commonly offered to pet chameleons in their enclosure, pet owners may mistakenly believe that their chameleon ate the crickets they placed in the cage when in fact, they are just hiding among the foliage.
As a result, your chameleon may appear as if he or she is eating when it is not.
Make sure your animal eats all the crickets it gets and only feeds it a few of them a few times a week. You can try placing cricket food in the middle of the cage if you're unsure whether any crickets remain uneaten in the cage.
Spending Time in An Incongruous Space Inside The Enclosure
Keep an eye on your chameleon's normal hangouts so you can recognize it when it's somewhere it's not normal.
When your chameleon chooses to spend a lot of time in an area that's not normally habited to it, this may indicate that it is unwell.
A chameleon that spends time under the heat light on a favorite branch is the norm during the day, but if it is lying on the ground or hasn't climbed to the top of the cage as it normally does during the day it may have something wrong with it.
The Color is Dull
Although normal shedding results in an initial dullness, muted results outside the shedding cycle might be concerning.
A chameleon is known for its bright colors, so if it’s dull, dark, or ashy in color, instead of vibrant, it might indicate that it is sick.
Lack of UVB rays, stress, malnutrition, and skin problems are among some of the causes of color change in chameleons.
Darkness with Dull Eyes
One of the most remarkable physical characteristics of a chameleon is its eyes. chameleons have eyes attached to the side of their heads that move independently from each other.
Chameleons with healthy eyes should have round or almost pyramidal eyes.
In addition, the eyes of a chameleon can appear sunken, flatter, or even closed if it is dehydrated, stressed, or sick.
Abnormal or absent feces
It usually is dark brown, oval-shaped, and has a small amount of moisture. There should be no blood, water, or runny stools, but white to yellow urates should be seen.
The chameleon could become constipated or have diarrhea if it's ill. It is very important to pay attention to the amount, color, and nature of the stool.
Cameleons typically defecate once or twice a day, depending on their amount and frequency of eating, but if they have not excreted for two weeks, this may indicate that there is an underlying problem.
Changing stools can be caused by the absence of food, intestinal blockage, severe illness, dehydration, extreme coldness, or parasitism in a chameleon.
The good health of your chameleon depends on the environment and the diet you provide. Stress and illness can result from enclosures that are too cold and dry, food that was not gut-loaded with nutrients, and cages that do not offer space for climbing.
Conclusion
The first step in preventing sickness caused by husbandry issues is to make sure your cage has an appropriate setup.
Seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect your chameleon may be sick and keep it extra warm. There are various treatments for chameleons, including prescribed medications, fluid therapy, and other methods, depending on the chameleon's problem.
