Chameleon has bone disease. Chances of recovery?

[chrilfong]

Hi. My chameleon has what I'm sure is metabolic bone disease. I've had him for about a year now, he's almost 2. I thought he was healthy (if a little small for his age), up until yesterday when he fell to the bottom of the cage and has barely been able to move since.

I'm taking more steps to make sure he gets calcium now, but will he ever be healthy again?

 

[Olimpia]

Welcome to the forum, although I'm sorry about the circumstances.

It's difficult to say what could be wrong with him without photos or knowing any additional information, but when a chameleon is lying down or not moving it's very serious and he should see a vet. It could be a calcium issue but it could also be any number of other things, and we just can't diagnose it like a vet could.

If it is a severe calcium deficiency, since you asked, it is something that is treatable. Any physical damage from severe deficiency (like curved or broken bones) may never get any better but the bones will re-mineralize and the bone density will go back to normal eventually. As will the blood-calcium levels, which are vital for muscle movements. Usually a vet will prescribe an easily-digestible liquid calcium that you can administer as instructed and it will get things back to normal better/faster.

But I have no idea if that's what it going on. If you want us to try to add any other suggestions please fill out this form with as much detail as possible: https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

But I still really recommend going to a vet if he isn't moving on his own.