Prone to illness?

[lysinlight87]

Hi,

Are chameleons particularly prone to infections and other illnesses? I know that they're sensitive to environmental stress & husbandry issues can cause illness,but aside from that & if you're doing things right?

It seems like they get sick really easily, but maybe that's just cos when a cham's sick, people post for help.

Do some chameleons go through their wholes lives (until old age) problem free?

I'm considering pet insurance for Neelix, but it's a very expensive. I'm weighing up the cost if his gets ill & I'm not insured, compared to paying out insurance for a problem free chameleon. It's difficult cos u just never know what's round the corner.

 

[Hoj]

Honestly I would save your money, IMO most of the time buy the time they are that ill and require significant $$$ with a vet it is almost always a lost cause.
Sad but true
There is always exceptiong but sadly few and far between

 

[Kate]

I have thought of pet insurance for chams but have been put off by the excess you have to pay. I have pet insurance for my dog and the deal is I have to pay the first £75 for each condition per year. Because dogs usually live longer than chams and can suffer similar ailments as humans I feel it's worth it. I am lucky to have breeding crested geckos and leopard geckos I keep the cash I get for the babies to fund vets bills for Popeye.

 

[Rambully]

I personally set up a vet fund account that I put money into every time I would be paying insurance fees. That way if you need it you have it! I know some people find it difficult to do but I would rather put into away then pay it out and never see it again

 

[PantherEnvy]

Chameleons get ill for reasons we cannot prevent, BUT the majority of health issues can be attributed to improper husbandry. I would say between 70-80% is improper husbandry, the other 20-30% to bad luck, hereditary issues, and we live in a decaying world where bad things happen to good chameleons...

 

[lysinlight87]

I personally set up a vet fund account that I put money into every time I would be paying insurance fees. That way if you need it you have it! I know some people find it difficult to do but I would rather put into away then pay it out and never see it again

That's an excellent idea! I'm a student, and although my partner is happy to pay vet fees, I feel I should put some of my student loan aside for unexpected costs.

 

[lysinlight87]

Chameleons get ill for reasons we cannot prevent, BUT the majority of health issues can be attributed to improper husbandry. I would say between 70-80% is improper husbandry, the other 20-30% to bad luck, hereditary issues, and we live in a decaying world where bad things happen to good chameleons...

I think you're right & unfortunately, you have to allow for human error too. I do my best for Neelix, but have to accept that I may one day make a mistake at his cost, & I should put money aside to correct it, should it happen.

Insurance is may be not the best, but the savings idea is a good one.