Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Help! My 3 month old veiled has a problem. His eyes have been shut for about 4 days now. They do not appear to be swollen or injured in any way.I can see them moving around inside like he is trying to see. I have not seen him eat since I noticed this problem. I have him in a planted terrarium with all the proper lighting,humidity and dusted crickets.I have had other geckos,iguanas and dragons but I have never seen anything like this.Please let me know if there is anything I can do as I don't believe there is a vet around my area who would know anything about this.Thank you, Chuck

Well, a few factors can cause the eyes to be shut. Your chameleon can be dehydrated-(are the eyes sunken-in)? Are you dusting the insects from above-sometimes calcium/vitamin powders can be lodged in the eyes? An upper-respiratory infection or naso-occular peri-orbital infection can occur which is usually bacterial & needs to be treated with antibiotics. It can also be a conjunctival eye infection. These are just a few reasons. Sometimes a few of these conditions can be alleviated by giving the chameleon a shower with luke-warm water for 20-30 minutes-make sure the chameleon is able to perch on a branch & observe during the entire process.

No matter what, a vet should be seen to determine a diagnosis.

Goodluck.

Below is a link to Veiled Chameleon husbandry--there are many other excellent care sheets on the internet, too.
Link

Forgot to add that you should set-up a sterile quarantine cage. There should only be clean: paper-towels (no soil substrate). Branches or other cage furniture should be sterile, too.

Again, please arrange to see a vet ASAP.

Thanksfor the info! I just got back from the vet.He gave him an injection and prescribed Baytril for a respiratory infection. I believe I was probably keeping the chameleon too moist.I'll let you know how it all works out. Thank you very much! Chuck