I have a 10 month old panther chameleon. He has always been well until the last two weeks. He will periodically develop a coating over one or the other or both eyes. He does not seem able to see properly when this coating is there. It seems to resolve on its own within 1-2 days, but then comes back again a few days later. He is in a screen mesh habitat with live plants. He has a Zoomed 5.0 UV bulb. We dust his crickets and mealworms with vitamin powder. The temperature is about 80 degrees with a heat lamp up to 98 degrees. He has a drip system that runs through the day and we mist him several times per day. The humidity ranges from 55-90 percent. Today we have set up a humidifier next to his enclosure as well. We are starting to get quite worried about this as I haven't found any information that describes a similar problem. Does anyone have any suggestions as to diagnosis or treatment? Thanks.
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eye problem in panther chameleon
Replies (3)
Hi there,
Excellent picture....BTW
Have you located a herp vet yet in your area?
This condition needs to be treated - and the medications are by prescription only. The vet will most likely have you use Gentamicin Sulfate drops and/or an opthalmic antibiotic ointment (Erythromycin is a good one).
Chams depend on their keen sight.. so don't hesitate to make an appointment to see the vet. I haven't met any doctors on this board yet (and I am too old for vet school - *LOL) - but we have been through a similar situation with one of our male panthers.
Lots of warm water misting can help clear it temporarily, but it will need the meds, for sure. Keep us posted on his progress,
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Dear Reptayls
Thanks for your helpful message. I live in a small town in Canada and it is several hours drive to the closest city to try and see a vet that looks after reptiles. I would have to try and get time off work to go to the city and I don't think I would be able to get it until next week. I do, however, have access to lots of disposable tubes of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment as that is what we put in the eyes of newborn babies at the hospital where I work. Do you think the ointment for people is the same strength as the ointment for chameleons? The stuff I have is 5 mg/ml concentration, which is standard strength for people. What do you think? Thanks again for your help.
Yes...!!!!!!!!
The very same thing we use on our chams.
We get it from a nurse too - small world, eh?
Apply a dab to your pinky finger tip and apply all around the eye turret and some IN the eye if you can. We do this twice per day. You want a nice coating over the eye - but not a glob that he/she will try to rub/scrape off.
Keep us posted...
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