Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

For the past week or so, Frasier (our veiled chameleon) has been putting out really soft-looking poops with a greenish tinge to them. His normal poop is pretty firm and a dark brown. He seems fine and hasn't changed his eating habits, but I wonder if this could be due to all the major changes he has been going through lately, i.e. new and improved cage, misting system (therefore, a constant supply of fresh water, which he didn't have in his old cage) and a steady diet of very well fed crickets, plus greens and veggies. His prior diet consisted of mixed greens, veggies and canned or freeze-dried crickets and/or mealworms.

Basically, I'd like to know what constitutes as normal for an adult veiled. I'm tempted to bring him to the vet, but want to make sure this really does warrant a vet visit.

Thanks!

Julie, Justin and Frasier.

poop...well for starters you should check that the poop consists of 2 parts. The brown part (Animal reamins, seeds, veggy parts) and the white part. The white part should be white, but when the cham has kidney or is not well hydrated, the white part is orange, peach, or even a yellow color. I think its called the urethra, but icould be wrong. Maybe its watery because of internal parasites, or maybe alot of water that got excreted, because chameleons dont pee. Make sure the white part is there, and that the poop isnt runny continuously, for it might spell trouble

Anthony

Is it actually runny and loses it's shape or does it keep its basic shape but just looks softer than before.
If it is keeping its basic shape and not running it is probably OK but I would keep an eye on it. If it is runny I would have a vet check for parasites if it does not clear up in a few days.

It seems to vary from day to day. When I first noticed it, it was just mushy-looking and greenish, but still had a shape. Then, it basically looked like a cow patty. But then, it resumed a more normal shape. Also, I've been seeing less urates. Usually, his poop would always be accompanied by a small string of white urates. But since his poops have been soft, it seems like he's only putting out urates every other day, whereas he has been pooping every single day.

I agree that I should be watching it every day, but I don't want to wait until I start seeing signs of illness, either. From what I'm gathering so far, I probably should go ahead and bring him to the vet for a fecal. This really does scream parasite infestation, although I haven't seen any snotty-looking substance, puss or noted any foul odor.

What does the lack (or decrease) of urates indicate?

Not sure what it means but mine always has them that I can remember. I would take him in to the vet.