The Importance of having a GOOD Chameleon Vet

From personal experience I have learned the importance of having a good chameleon vet. If you go to a vet that's not that familiar with chameleons you are wasting your money and your chameleon's life. They charge the same, if not more, than a vet that knows chameleons. Then usually after you've paid for a non-chameleon vet, you've got to find and pay for another vet visit with a chameleon vet. A chameleon is like other animals........they need to be cared for properly (which can be WAY more difficult than caring for a dog or cat) and they need regular check ups at the vet. I would highly recommend you have the time and means to care for an animal BEFORE you take on this responsibility. Find a good chameleon vet in your area BEFORE you need it. Take any new animal in for a check up when you first buy him. With chameleons you don't know what they might be carrying parasite wise that could spread to your other chameleons or kill your cham. A fecal is VERY important to have done OFTEN. I purchased a cham from a well know breeder that had coccidia, hookworms and pins worms. Without having your guys checked.....you don't know what they've got.

I agree 100%...I have a vet that I see. He is awesome...the only downfall is that is costs $75 just to walk in the door...compared to 40 for a cat/dog...and if you ask me the chameleon is easier to deal with But it is all worth it, and he has seen me quite a bit this year with an ambilobe that I rescued...I paid well over almost $200 on a procedure on him to see if there was any hope for his eyes...nope he is blind...but it was still worth it...I now have an adopted chameleon that in the end (over $300) cost more than buying a "healthy" one...but I don't regret it at all...now I have a blind moody ambilobe that gets hand fed everyday But I think a person should find a herp vet before acquiring a chameleon...chameleons are good at masking illness, and by the time you notice symptoms it is important to get to the vet asap...and that is rather hard if you have never been there before. And you want to make sure you like the vet!

just as important, if not more is reading these forums and establishing close relationship with the people in these forums. There are some great people here that , i my case , have been more helpful than the vets I've met.