Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male and a female Veild chameleons, The female has a problem in one of her legs and in the tail. the legs looks like it is swollen and it's kind of purple and shiny, and she can't open and close her toes much. The end of the tail also has dark spots that look kind of purple and she can't curl it up right. The male has a dark spot close to the socket of the eye, that looks like a scab, but I think it's not. I found that the base of the wooden cage had fungus from too much humidity, and I also found that the water of the waterfall had some kind of slimy algae or fungus cause I hadn't changed the water for too long. If anyone knows what may be wrong with them, and what I have to do to treat them please let me know!!!!!!
Click on the URL to see the pictures!
Bam Bam and Pebbels

Either they had a fight or you have some kind of fungus going on. Clean everything up a get your chams to the vet.

are they housed together?
-----
Jason
f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/dank7oo
1.0 maroantsetra panther chameleon
0.2 dwarf panther chameleons
jsinger_jimt@hotmail.com

Bam Bam and Pebbels have battle wounds!
I have seen this many times before - even with a few of our own.
Veiled must be separated by 3 months of age - they compete for everything (food, walking area, basking area, water drops, sleeping perch). At this age, they should have a cage that is 18x18x30 or larger. These guys can be ever so active!!

The foot/leg on Pebbles has cuts - it needs to be treated with antibiotic ointment (we prefer SSD - silver sulfadiazine cream) immediately. There are several good ones - the best are only available from your vet. The dk places on her tail doesn't look too bad (from the photo), but we would use the ointment there too. If you don't get the infection under control, she may need amputation or may possibly die.

The mark behind Bam Bam's eye is either a scratch or bite. It doesn't really look severe enough to need medication - and the area is a sensitive one, so the ointment approach would be tricky. The dark mark should fade with future sheds. Chams bruise in this manner.

It sounds like you need to get the cage cleaned out too. While your chams are out of the cage, clean everything down with diluted bleach (1/2-1/2 water), then rinse and let dry. To speed drying, you can use a hairdryer. If you have plants, use antibacterial soap (1 tsp per qt water in sprayer) and wash them down too - rinse, rinse, rinse - then let dry.

If you need other husbandry help - just ask, that is what this forum is for. You may get differing advise, but it is all aimed at helping you provide a better environment for your chams.

Don't forget - call your vet...
-----

In addition to separating them and cleaning the cage up you will probably find the fountain too much work and a constant source of bacteria and mold (and worry). I'd pitch it or put it somewhere where YOU can simply enjoy the sound. You'll need to keep the cage wood clean constantly so first dry and seal the wood and then use a good sterilizing cleaner on it regularly.

I am not going to tell you get rid of the water fall. However, they require way to much cleaning to make them worth while. Chams are real prone to URI and a water fall is a good place for this type of bacteria to grow. Dead crickets or feces in the water also add to the bacteria. So if you can't clean it at least twice a week its causing you more harm that good.

Regards,
Yosemite
Reptayls Ltd.
-----