Parasite/illness question

[Andee]

Idk if the chameleon is use to you then short amounts of stress is perfectly fine in my opinion. I think when they are new comers it's definitely an issue.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

So in an average Chams lifetime that has good husbandry, how likely would it be that I need to go through That? I mean I understand it's always a possibility, but if this is something that might happen every few months I might really step down how much I commit to my vivariums. Just thought about @Extensionofgreen 's epic parsonii build. What if one of his came down with coccidia or something. All of that just has to be trashed?

Chameleon's don't typically "come down" with parasites. They either already had them and they are exploding in population in response to stress or they were introduced from a comtamimate source. I suspect most chameleons and all chameleons that are wild caught will always carry something. If my chameleons got coccidia in my enclosure, I would do a couple things.
I would remove and/or cover the top layer of substrate with several inches of fresh substrate. I would remove any feces residues. I would remove the chameleons to a more easily cleaned and monitored enclosure, until their stools were formed again. While the chameleons were in "hospital enclosures" I would spray the plants and perches, removing and feces, with a bit of antibacterial dish soap, Nolvosan, and water, let it sit for 20-30 mins, then mist done with clean water. If the chameleons suffered repeat infections, after being returned to the enclosure, I may have to dismantle it, but seeing as the chameleons climb down and drop their waste and don't scatter it all over the perches and foliage, then walk through it, the odds of a high level of contamination are slim. Some chameleons species don't evacuate as habitually as parsons and do contaminate their perches and substrate. It all depends on their parasite involved and the potential contamination of the items in the enclosure. If the chameleons haven't defecated or tracked feces on the plants or perches, they aren't contaminated. I think it's also wise to get 3-5 fecals in a 90 day period, before placing the chameleon in a permanently planted set up.

 

[jamest0o0]

@Extensionofgreen Hey I appreciate that, thank you and welcome back? So far all of my fecals have been clean, but when I'm back from vacation I'm going to get multiples done just to be sure before I add any new Chams. I was stupid at the beginning and shared everything, feeder bowls, branches, threw feeders back in bins, etc.... LUCKILY nothing apparent has happened yet. *knock on wood* I hope it stays that way. That's a good idea to keep Chams in implanted enclosures until they pass fecal exams. I will be doing that in the future.