Can chams be allergic?

[Spikethechameleon]

Can chameleons be allergic to pollen or flowers. i put a hicibus plant in my chams cage and i noticed when he climbed on it he always had his eyes closed. finally i decided to cut off the flowers and he went back to normal.

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy,

There have been reports of chameleons that appeared to have eye problems that went away after plant types were changed. Plant allergies could have been the problem. It certainly isn't wide spread though. While investigating plant allergy issues always suspect other husbandry issues (hydration, lighting etc.) since they may be killers and it could be "all over with" while you are swapping plants and waiting for a change. It also may be that the "allergy" was in fact a killer situation involving insecticide residue on the plant. I always wash leaves with a mild detergent sprayed on the leaves, soak for a while, rinse, spray again... then re-plant in something like Supersoil from Home Depot etc.