bluegoldfish
New Member
I am not well and found out that i have an upper respiratory tract infection, just wanted to know if i could pass this on to my chameleon, trying to avoid doing so etc. Any advice thanx.
Can i give my cham my URI?
- Thread starter bluegoldfish
- Start date
Chameleon Company
Avid Member
Well,
No, but you can still scare the crap out of it if you want to !
I have to agree with Dodolah, and want to add a little bit. We have found one of two things vital for the transfer of bacterial-based illness in chameleons (although there will be exceptions for that rare microbe that gets into the wrong place):
1) The chameleon has to be stressed, such that its immuno-defenses are weakened. Too hot, too cold, dehydrated, poor diet, stress from shipping, other illness, etc.
2) The healthy chameleon has to be overwhelmed by a large influx of bacteria, well beyond normal environmental levels. This would be caused by 1) a septic situation in its enclosure (such as standing water under a flower pot that is there for several days or more). In such situations, loose bugs will intake the contaminated water, and transfer it to your chameleon. Or by 2) a septic situation in your bug enclosure, turning your insects into "poison pills". Rather common in cricket husbandry, where little attention is paid to sanitation with their water source. The bacteria involved here are common, but their volume is what is the problem.
Protozoa transmission, such as coccidia, can easily occur between chameleons where husbandry and health are otherwise pretty good. Coccidia are insidious in that they can remain viable in soil for many months. I mention it only to point out that good husbandry and health is not an automatic shield against other types of disease. Coccidia can be dealth with.
Viral infections are far less understood in chameleons, although we are fortunate that with all the opportunities, a condition such as IBD in boids has left our hobby alone. In all our years here, we have yet to see any viral situation that spread with any vigor in otherwise healthy chameleons, where means of transmission, such as proximity and breeding, were readlily available.
Hope you feel well soon !
No, but you can still scare the crap out of it if you want to !
I have to agree with Dodolah, and want to add a little bit. We have found one of two things vital for the transfer of bacterial-based illness in chameleons (although there will be exceptions for that rare microbe that gets into the wrong place):
1) The chameleon has to be stressed, such that its immuno-defenses are weakened. Too hot, too cold, dehydrated, poor diet, stress from shipping, other illness, etc.
2) The healthy chameleon has to be overwhelmed by a large influx of bacteria, well beyond normal environmental levels. This would be caused by 1) a septic situation in its enclosure (such as standing water under a flower pot that is there for several days or more). In such situations, loose bugs will intake the contaminated water, and transfer it to your chameleon. Or by 2) a septic situation in your bug enclosure, turning your insects into "poison pills". Rather common in cricket husbandry, where little attention is paid to sanitation with their water source. The bacteria involved here are common, but their volume is what is the problem.
Protozoa transmission, such as coccidia, can easily occur between chameleons where husbandry and health are otherwise pretty good. Coccidia are insidious in that they can remain viable in soil for many months. I mention it only to point out that good husbandry and health is not an automatic shield against other types of disease. Coccidia can be dealth with.
Viral infections are far less understood in chameleons, although we are fortunate that with all the opportunities, a condition such as IBD in boids has left our hobby alone. In all our years here, we have yet to see any viral situation that spread with any vigor in otherwise healthy chameleons, where means of transmission, such as proximity and breeding, were readlily available.
Hope you feel well soon !
