Eye Problems

This thread is to help anyone in need of answers concerning eye issues. Here we have provided post's, blogs and links of personal experiences of conditions possibly just like yours. If you don't find any information here on the problem you are currently having. Please seek advice through the open forums or qualified vet. We have many experienced keepers here willing to help any case.


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY A COMMENT TO THIS THREAD. If you wish to leave a comment please do so through pm or comment within the specific blog. All replies not pertaining format will be deleted.

Anyone wishing to provide information. The format is listed below. Any suggestions to make this better please let us know!

Format: Post a picture of problem, list problem, symptoms and solution.

Eye or Eyes Closed or Shut



https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/404-common-eye-problems-solutions.html


1) Lighting - Incorrect lighting (CFL's, coil bulbs, mercury vapor) can cause a chameleon to close eyes and appear to be swollen.

-- Solution: 5.0 Linear tube bulb (reptisun or reptiglo) brands are great. Length of uvb bulb will depend on the size of your cage. Normal house hold bulb for a basking bulb. Basking bulb wattage will also depend on cage, ambient room temps and distance to the mearest brean or vine to bask from.Change any uvb bulb every 6 months.
http://www.chameleonnews.com/10JulWeldon.html

2) Supplements
- Vit A deficiency can cause the eye or eyes to close and can appear swollen. This is a common problem with panthers.
-- VitA Solution: You can go about this in two different ways. A. Using a Mulitvitamin product like Reptivite with preformed vitA or B. Cod liver fish oil gel capsules.
-- Using a multivitamin with preformed vitamin A. You can administer the first dose by simply dusting crickets with this product. You can mix it with water and inject a feeder, dripping on the tip of nose/mouth or force feeding.
-- Cod Liver oil is a very potent source of VitA. Use this with caution. You dont want to over do this and cause more issues. A drop or smear the back of a cricket is all you need for a dose. One dose typically corrects the issue if problem was found early. If you dont see improvement the following day administer one more drop or smear the back of a cricket. If no improvement is found the next day. I would recommend seeing a vet and let them know you have administered VitA. Also if you havent seen any improvement by the third day the problem may be something other than a lack of VitA.
-- If you use proformed multi and you are faithful with your regimend. Some chameleons are not able to process carotenes into retinol in the body which in this instance you will need preformed VitA. Try dosing once a month to start off with a preformed. if this doesnt take care of issue try twice a month.

- Calcium deficiency MBD can cause the eyes to close and appear swollen.
-- Calcium deficiency MBD solution: Calcium w/o d3, Calcium w/d3 and liquid calcium and proper uvb lighting.
Course of action depends on the given circumstances.
a) If your chameleon has had no calcium at all and showing signs of mbd. Get to a vet asap.
b) If you arent faithful to dustings (maybe you only dust once a week). Check your lighting (see lighting above). I would recommend to start off with liquid calcium. If your animal is eatting. Inject the feeder with liquid calcium or you can force feed it via syringe. Do this every feeding for 1-2 weeks straight. It is important to have correct uvb lighting exposure with this to work.
c) If you use plain calcium and no d3 is present either via lighting or supplementation.. Check your lighting (see lighting above). Implement calcium with d3. If lighting is bad and the chameleon is eatting (change lights to recommended lights) and lightly dust for a week straight calcium w/d3 and from that point start a proper dusting schedule. If the animal is not eatting, take a small pinch of dust with d3, 6ml of bottled water, mix and draw into a syringe and if you are comfortable, force feed..
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...nutritional-related-diseases-in-reptiles.aspx
3) Debris - Anything is possible to find its way into your chameleons eye. Rope fibers, bark from natural vines, dust, shed and etc.
-- Solution: Mist the chameleon with warm water for 3-5 minutes 3 times a day. If available shower chamber 10-15 minutes once/twice a day.
4) Infection- If you see and signs of infection get to a good chameleon vet asap.
-- Solution: Usual medications given are Terramycin, Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Gramicidin Ophthalmic Solution USP. Mist the chameleon with warm water for 3-5 minutes 3 times a day. If available shower chamber 10-15 minutes once a day.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
5) Cleaning - If your chameleons eye is swollen for a few seconds or minutes at a time...this is natural occurance in chameleons.
-- Solution: Sit back and relax.

EYE or EYES (Open or Closed) and Sunken In



https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/404-common-eye-problems-solutions.html

1)Dehydration - Not utilizing ways to get hydro into animal. Some medications will dehydrate a animal.
--Solution: Depending on severity. If in question see a vet ASAP.
a) Shower chamber as needed.
b) Force feed the animals pedialyte with bottle water 50/50 as needed.
c) Mist the plants and chameleon for 3-5 minutes/2-3 times a day.
d) Set up a dripper

2) Illness - Possible Parasites, organ failure or disease.
--Solution: Get to a vet in any instance.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

Bump on turrets/eyes



Problem: Round bump on turret. In this instance caused from shed entering the turret. The chameleons eye will attempt to clean and get rid of the skin but in the process forming a ball of skin that can get stuck within the turret.

Symptoms: Eyes will close at times, the chameleon will clean eye more often causing the turret to bulge. Noticeable round bump protruding on turrets.

Solutions: Consult a vet to remove shed. Provide extra mistings and maintain proper humidity. Shower chamber treatments would be beneficial.

Hope original author does not mind. Here is a link to posted picture.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/bump-eye-help-74952/

Cornea Damage/Scarring



Original poster of this picture and link to the post.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/help-eye-infection-60190/#post562856

Problem: Eye cloudy, deformed cornea, scarring of the cornea, infection

Symptoms: Sight could hendered, visiable signs, infection

Solution: You will not be able to fix what damage has been done. You can however stop it from doing further damage by finding the source of the problem which in most cases is a defective or incorrect bulb. Take to a qualified vet with any signs of infection.

Eye Infection



Original poster of this picture and link to the post.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/help-eye-infection-60190/

Problem: Eye Infection

Symptoms: Visible infection, eye or eyes could be closed, turret can bulge or look deformed

Solution: Consult a qualified vet. Typical eye infection is caused from debris, improper lighting, unsanitary living conditions. Usual medications given are Terramycin, Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Gramicidin Ophthalmic Solution USP. Mist the chameleon with warm water for 3-5 minutes 3 times a day. If available shower chamber 10-15 minutes once a day.
Area By Area (& country) Vet list
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

Eye Maintenance/Cleaning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd89IM6WggA&context=C3a0866eADOEgsToPDskJxCeEEVTlrzwVzrTTEgVUm

Found this video searching through forums. hope original owner doesn't mind.

This a common everyday routine health habit for a chameleon.

Need pictures of this. If anyone wants to donate....

Eye Turret Swollen



*Not to be confused with eye maintenance or cleaning. This condition can be present for days, weeks, months if left untreated. This could also cause the death of your chameleon if left untreated.

Problem: Turret swollen, liquid could seep, sinus infection or obstruction.

Symptoms: Visable swollen turret/turrets

Solution: Consult a vet Asap. A sinus obstruction or infection can lead to this. The number one solution is a sensitivity test, antibiotics and infammatory. Some have witnessed the eye relieving itself of the fluid. In either event a vets help is needed in this situation.

very helpful , thank you for this post ! nice job

panther chameleon has right eye shut

hi i have a a 10 month old noseybe. the other day i noticed his right eye shut which ive never seen him do before. occasionally he opens it and looks normal but he does keep it shut more than what he should. hes still eating, only meal worms though, i try and give him crickets and refuses to eat them. ive been putting over the counter drops in both eyes for about 4 days and see alittle improvementbut nothing im too happy about. any advice on what it may be?

ataraxia said:

*Not to be confused with eye maintenance or cleaning. This condition can be present for days, weeks, months if left untreated. This could also cause the death of your chameleon if left untreated.

Problem: Turret swollen, liquid could seep, sinus infection or obstruction.

Symptoms: Visable swollen turret/turrets

Solution: Consult a vet Asap. A sinus obstruction or infection can lead to this. The number one solution is a sensitivity test, antibiotics and infammatory. Some have witnessed the eye relieving itself of the fluid. In either event a vets help is needed in this situation.

Click to expand...

This thread does help me a lot,but how about this situation?Occasionally the right turret of my chamelon would swell and become much bigger than the left one when I mist him/her,Is this an obstruction or infection?if so,what could I do?there is no vet in the place where I live,(China)

ataraxia said:

This thread is to help anyone in need of answers concerning eye issues. Here we have provided post's, blogs and links of personal experiences of conditions possibly just like yours. If you don't find any information here on the problem you are currently having. Please seek advice through the open forums or qualified vet. We have many experienced keepers here willing to help any case.


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY A COMMENT TO THIS THREAD. If you wish to leave a comment please do so through pm or comment within the specific blog. All replies not pertaining format will be deleted.

Anyone wishing to provide information. The format is listed below. Any suggestions to make this better please let us know!

Format: Post a picture of problem, list problem, symptoms and solution I bought a veiled chameleon the other day his or her eye is having some trouble petco guy said he had just shed so he may be having a hard time shedding I have attached photos of enclosure gauges and symptom he itches it every day for 2 days also giving him vitamins just got a uvb lamp for him

Click to expand...

ataraxia said:

This thread is to help anyone in need of answers concerning eye issues. Here we have provided post's, blogs and links of personal experiences of conditions possibly just like yours. If you don't find any information here on the problem you are currently having. Please seek advice through the open forums or qualified vet. We have many experienced keepers here willing to help any case.


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY A COMMENT TO THIS THREAD. If you wish to leave a comment please do so through pm or comment within the specific blog. All replies not pertaining format will be deleted.

Anyone wishing to provide information. The format is listed below. Any suggestions to make this better please let us know!

Format: Post a picture of problem, list problem, symptoms and solution.

Click to expand...

Hi all I am a newbie at owning a cham I have a veiled cham 4 months her eye is bothering her and she has been itching here and there past two days the guy at petco said she had just shed and may be having difficulty in this area any other info would be greatly appreciated I've included some photos as well she eats meal worms and collar greens right now and so far no problems eating or drinking thank you for your time and info.

roger90 said:

Hi all I am a newbie at owning a cham I have a veiled cham 4 months her eye is bothering her and she has been itching here and there past two days the guy at petco said she had just shed and may be having difficulty in this area any other info would be greatly appreciated I've included some photos as well she eats meal worms and collar greens right now and so far no problems eating or drinking thank you for your time and info.

Click to expand...

Hey, if you're looking for some help, create a brand new thread for your issue so it's easier to track. There's also a pinned thread in thsi forum called "how to ask for help" - fill out a husbandry form there with your post so we can give you some useful advice.

Hi and welcome @roger90 . I see some areas of concern from your pics and know that we can help get your little cutie set up perfect and in the best health. It would be easiest if you start a thread. These are the help questions that we need you to answer. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

MissSkittles said:

Hi and welcome @roger90 . I see some areas of concern from your pics and know that we can help get your little cutie set up perfect and in the best health. It would be easiest if you start a thread. These are the help questions that we need you to answer. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

Click to expand...

Ok ill try to start thread im new to this lol