Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I wasn't planning on de-lurking yet but I have a problem that I need help with. My male Jackson chameleon's(Mr. Jackson) eyes seem to have swollen up. They look alot like when he puffs them out to rub them on branches but further out and they are staying out. I noticed the swelling this morning and attempted to feed him, all my chameleons are hand fed, but he can't look directly ahead and when he shot his tongue he was about two inches off at a range of four inches. He is about one year old and has always been a happy, healthy chameleon. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any advice?
Cage size: 3'x3'x6'
Basking temp: 84F
Ambient temp: 73F
humidity: 50-60%

I wanted to lurk for a few more monthes but I am really worried
about Mr. Jackson. I have lurked at several chameleon forums but I really like the people here...I love to hear all the updates on
Zoe, Orion, and all the other chameleons out there. Some people refer the their lizards as "specimens"sp?) but here they seem like part of the family. Have fun. Please help Mr. Jackson. I love him very much and it is crushing for him to be unhappy.

hey, you enclosure is screen right. Chameleons usally rub there eyes if there is somthing in it, or they are shedding, id raise th humidity up to about 80-100%

>>Hello,
>> I wasn't planning on de-lurking yet but I have a problem that I need help with. My male Jackson chameleon's(Mr. Jackson) eyes seem to have swollen up. They look alot like when he puffs them out to rub them on branches but further out and they are staying out. I noticed the swelling this morning and attempted to feed him, all my chameleons are hand fed, but he can't look directly ahead and when he shot his tongue he was about two inches off at a range of four inches. He is about one year old and has always been a happy, healthy chameleon. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any advice?
>> Cage size: 3'x3'x6'
>> Basking temp: 84F
>> Ambient temp: 73F
>> humidity: 50-60%
>>
>> I wanted to lurk for a few more monthes but I am really worried
>>about Mr. Jackson. I have lurked at several chameleon forums but I really like the people here...I love to hear all the updates on
>>Zoe, Orion, and all the other chameleons out there. Some people refer the their lizards as "specimens"sp?) but here they seem like part of the family. Have fun. Please help Mr. Jackson. I love him very much and it is crushing for him to be unhappy.
-----
Jamie whitehouse

Maybe I wasn't very clear. Yes, the cage is screen but he isn't shedding. His eyes cavities apear to have filled with fluid, limiting his eye range of motion to about 30 degrees. Because of the lack of vision he can't eat and keeps almost falling off his ficus.
You really think raising the humidity will help? I haven't read that much about chameleon eye problems but what I have read suggests that the humidity may be to blame. Thanks.

Sounds like an eye infection and needs a vet. Do you have a cham vet? If not, here is a link to finding one.

lele
vet connection

maybe i wasn't clear either, even tho your cham isnt shedding, your humidity is too low for a jacksons, the humidity need to be around 80-100%,

>>Maybe I wasn't very clear. Yes, the cage is screen but he isn't shedding. His eyes cavities apear to have filled with fluid, limiting his eye range of motion to about 30 degrees. Because of the lack of vision he can't eat and keeps almost falling off his ficus.
>> You really think raising the humidity will help? I haven't read that much about chameleon eye problems but what I have read suggests that the humidity may be to blame. Thanks.
-----
Jamie whitehouse

Has your cham been exposed to other herps recently? Do YOU handle other herps and then handle him? I've read about an infectious eye problem with chams that is still a mystery. It does cause swollen eyes and can recur over and over. A pattern will become clear. No one really knows specifically what it is, but it could be from another herp. I have not seen it, and it could also be a nutritional deficiency, but I would support him by making sure he doesn't get dehydrated, and if he stops eating because he can't see you may have to hand feed him. Check your gut loads and supplementation schedule. What is it?

You definatly want to bump up the humidity.

If your chams eyes are infected, take it to a vet!

Here is the best way to avoid eye irritations:

Humidity - I keep a humidifier blowing a mist into my enclosures.

Rain - In the wild, chameleons will drink and clean out their eyes during a rain. When water flows over the branches, they will start to rub their eyes. I built a rain system for my enclosures, so, everyday, it rains for 30 minutes. But you can take a potted ficus and put the cham and the plant in your shower. (your shower head has to be adjusted for a light rain.. too big of droplets or if the water is rushing too fast will just stress your cham out)

If you keep the humidity up, keep your chams misted, you shouldn't have any more eye problems.