Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I came home today to find my female fischer's chameleon with both eyes closed. I noticed this the otherday as well, but it didnt seem as serious as now. She walks clumsily around the terrarium with both eyes closed, licking everything for water (which I am readily supplying). She is small, but looks healthy. The only way to make her open her eyes is to agitate her (touch her tail for example) At which point she will strain her eyes open, and then immediately roll them back closed like it pains her. The only info I found online was foreign matter, infection, or defficienty. However, both eyes are exhibiting problems at once, and she was eating gutloaded crickets. Any suggestions, or is it vet time?

I would take her to the vet's if she were my chameleon.

It could be an infection, but it could also be a symptom of
something more serious. I have seen chameleons roam around the
bottom of the cage like this when they are sick....and if left
that way, they usually die.

Have you provided her with a place to lay eggs in the cage? If
I remember correctly, this is quite likely the time of year that
they lay eggs. Does she look quite plump in the back end of her
abdomen?

How long have you had her? How old is she?

Sorry I can't be more help than this, but I'm not a vet.

this could be any number of things but not something any of us could diagnose online - even a vet couldn't. There is too many variables and only have your description to go by. It could be due to a mouth infection, improper vitamin and mineral supplementation other nutritional problem, organ failure and she is dying, eggbound (if gravid) just to name a few.

Do you have a vet?? If not, go to link below and see the sites for vet by state (I would begin with the ARAV site).

In the meantime (after you have made your appointment you can tell us about your setup and feeding regimen. On the same site below is a list of Questions. I suggest that you copy and paste it into a post and answer each one. I am NOT suggesting that you do this to get a diagnosis to your cham's problem here on the forum, but we may at least be able to troubleshoot.

For now, I would suggest putting her in a smaller cage if you have one so that if she falls she will not hurt herself. Keep her well hydrated and hand feed her if she will take form your hand. Can you post a photo?

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

I've arranged a visit from a vet. She has only been in my posession for 2 weeks now, so it is probably good to have her checked up regardless.

She is juvenile, although I dont have an exact age for you. She and a young male fischers are being kept in: http://www.exo-terra.com/EN/products/glass_terrariums_i.html
with mesh lined in the inside so they glass doesnt stress them. Note that this is a TEMPORARY habitat, as next weekend there is a reptile show where I plan to purchase a better, mesh cage.(Damned petstore owner giving me bad information before I researched online!....yes I know that is my fault)

They both are being misted 3 times a day with water boiled and then cooled (to remove chlorine). Also have a homemade "drip" system going out of a plastic bucket with a hole in the bottom. I have seen them drink numerous times.

There is some substrate in the cage (coconut shavings) that I put in incase she was gravid. However, she looks slim and does not have a noticable bulge on either side of her belly. Feeders are put in a ceramic bowl that they can climb out of (just wanted to limit the amount running around on substrate).

I feed them a mix of pinhead and medium crickets (she is much smaller than the male). Occasionally I put in meal worms for variety.
All insects are fed 24 hours ahead with Fluker's "orange cube complete diet"
http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=25

And dusted before put in the cage with Fluker's Repta Vitamin calcium: http://www.flukerfarms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=39

Lighting is provided by an exo terra Sun Glo spot light, 150w. Although I bought a better bulb, it didnt work out of the package and I must return it still *sigh*

There are a mutlitude of fake plants (still trying to locate a pothos or hibiscus for them), sticks, driftwood, and a ladder leading up toward the top for sunning.

I know the obvious is the glass cage, lighting, and keeping them together. Which will be delt with shortly. However, I am still shocked to see her deline so rapidly. It is possible she may have been ill before purchase, but regardless I will go the responsible route and take her to the vet pronto.

Wish me luck!