Health Section H- Miscellaneous Problem (in progress)

WARNING: This health chapter is written in hope to educate new chameleon owners to recognize early symptoms of sickness. Many of the pictures shown in health chapter are an advanced case of the disease. If your chameleon exhibit symptoms like these, it is HIGHLY advised for you to bring your chameleon to an exotic veterinarian as soon as possible. This article should NOT be used as a substitute for a vet visit. Please be a responsible pet owner. The author cannot be held responsible for any abuse or form of misused of the post. The identity of the sick chameleon's owner(s) is kept hidden to respect their privacy.

A. ROSTRAL RUBBING/ ROSTRAL ABRASION


Case Study:
The chameleon in the picture is a melleri. He was used to be cared under someone else and put in a large outdoor cage. The rubbing has started since. Under a new owner care (Suzanne Boom), he was introduced in a free-range habitat. She dedicated a whole room for her chameleon(s). The chameleon finally seems content and does not exhibit the behavior anymore.

FACTS:

Rostral Rubbing is a serious condition for chameleons in captivity that needed to be addressed soon. This is often caused by psychological problems than any other. It mostly stems from the chameleon inability to cope in captivity, small restricting cage, and/or possible elements in the enclosure that causes it to react in a strong behavior to get out from the environment.

WC chameleon generally exhibits this kind of stress more so than a CB one. But, bear in mind that a CB chameleon can also exhibit this behavior. Melleri and other giant chameleon species often are more affected to this symptom compared with veiled and panther.

Therefore, it is crucial for you to put your chameleon in an appropriate size cage. The rule of the proper size to avoid rostral rubbing in adult chameleon is usually “the bigger the better.”

If ignored, your chameleon might develop a serious infection or abscess in the immediate future.

Prevention:

1. Avoid putting your chameleon in a small and constricting cage because you need to save space. You should know in advance that having a chameleon would require you to sacrifice your time and your space. If you cannot provide those, you should not consider having a chameleon as a pet.
2. Chameleons will almost always prefer to be outside than inside. Be aware letting your chameleon to have access view to outside environment can tempt him to try to escape. Some will try and soon give up since the screen will block them. But, others might be headstrong and insist on escaping. Hence, the rostral rubbing begin. I am not saying that you should limit the access of outside view for your chameleon, I am just telling you to be aware of the possibility of inflicting stress to your chameleon.

Symptoms to watch out for:

1. Blister and/or scarification tissue on your chameleon’s nose
2. Eagerness to get out of the enclosure.
3. Infections

Treatment:

1. Get him a bigger enclosure. Limit the access of outside view for a while.
2. Topical ointment such as Silvadene cream, Neosporin, or Zymox can be used to avoid infection.

B. MISSING TOENAILS


FACTS:
It is a condition where reptiles (in this case chameleons) slough their toenails.
According to Geraldine Diethelm, in the article “Digit Abnormalities,” There are 4 causes that can lead to this condition (Mader, Reptile Medicine and Surgery: 2nd ed, pp 774-5):

• Trauma. Such as cuts and abrasions. If the injury is not treated, an infection then might developed that can lead to loss of toes.
• Dysecdysis (retained shed) around the digits can lead to this condition also by cutting off the blood circulation.
• NHSP (Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism) can cause swelling around the digits and limbs.
• Microorganisms that cause infections such as salmonella, Escherichia coli, mycobacterium spp that are found in joint cultures and interdigital lesions.

This certainly cannot be ignored as chameleons are arboreal and depend on their appendages and nails to climb.

Prevention:

1. Although most of chameleons will do fine in the standard aluminum screen cage, some of them (especially the one that loves climbing on the screen) can accidentally get their toenails caught in the screen. The injury can often lead to missing toenails. If possible, use a bigger screen size (1/8”) than the usual (1/16”) mesh. Some companies give you the option. When you purchase a custom cage, ask if they have bigger size screen mesh.
2. If you have already purchased the usual screen cage, you can also line the inside with a plastic chicken wire.
3. Maintain proper humidity for your chameleon.

Symptoms to watch out for:

1. Blister and/or swelling on your chameleon’s toes
2. Infections
3. Loss of toes (duh! ^_^)

Treatment:

1. Fix your husbandry
2. Clean the wounds
3. Topical ointment such as Silvadene cream, Neosporin, or Zymox can be used to avoid infection.
4. If the cause are microbial, go to the vet to get the appropriate anti microbial therapy.