When purchasing a furcifer pardalis one should realize that - just like any other animal – chameleons can get sick. In this case a specialized veterinarian must be consulted as self- treatment can harm the animal and will lead to certain death.

But how can one detect emerging diseases? By atypical or changing behaviour for example such as refusal of food, apathy, weakness, change of the normal colour, sunken thickened beginning of the tail, sunken eyes, skin mutation, pituitary, atypical appearance of the excrements.....
Closed eyes during the day are also certain indicators for a sick animal.
And what are the causes of diseases? The majority is caused by incorrect living conditions but inherited injuries of the inner organs may also lead to latter diseases.
 

Rickets: Although this is one of the farthermost spread disease, mainly young animals are effected by it, as the disease is caused by rapid growth and insufficient feeding of supplements such as Calcium and Vitamin D. Rickets leads to soft, misshaped and even broken bones. An improvement of the situation can only be achieved by an optimized supply of vitamins and minerals. Misshaped limps are irreparable.

Gout:  The main causes of gout are gluttony in combination with an insufficient supply of drinking water and/or dry living conditions. By this degradation products of the protein metabolism accumulate and form a deposit of uric acid crystals in the animal's tissue and inner organs (kidneys, lungs, liver, and heart).
A deposit of uric acid crystal in or around the joints let them look swollen and affects the chameleon's mobility.
 

            Animal with gout

An early kidney damage due to imperfect living conditions right after the chameleon has hatched, can lead to gout in early ages. If the disease gets discovered by an veterinarian at an early stage, gout can be stopped (Allopurinol – Therapy).

Being egg-bound: The main reason for being egg-bound are missing facilities for laying eggs. What follows is an uncontrolled and incomplete press out of eggs out of the cloacae. Furthermore the insufficient supply with minerals plays an important role. Hence, it is necessary to look after a balanced diet as well as the availability of facilities for laying eggs.

Difficulties while moulting: Chameleons moult their entire life. Frequency and duration increase with age. Young chameleons wipe off there skin within one day whereas older animal moult partial and need several days to do so.
Remaining skin at limps and tail may lead to their strangulation and withering. In this case the skin should be removed carefully after it has been moisturised. Also, an appropriate air humidity is essential.
 

Skin injuries: Due to external influences, skin injuries can occur. Especially while mating, unwilling females might attack their partners with bites. Normally, these injuries will heal without any difficulties. However, wounds should generally be watched and if necessary a veterinarian must be consulted.
Apart from bites, the number of burns – caused by the improper installation of emitters inside of the terrarium – increase. Here the symptoms range from black skin colour, blister development to open wounds.
 

Dehydration: Due to insufficient air humidity and drinking water supplies, sunken eyes, flanks and tails in combination with weakness and food refusal may occur. Failure of inner organs and circulatory collapse could cause the animal's death.

Mouth decay: Here, the jaw as well as throat and oral cavity are infected by bacteria. Symptoms are development of mucus and pus in the corner of the animal’s mouth and the oral area. The causes of mouth decay are usually bite injuries from feed animals or improper compulsive feeding. 

Parasites: For detailed information please click HERE.