Veiled baby chameleons with eye issues

chameleongalore

chameleongalore

Member
I've been having problems with my veiled chameleon babies. I've been breeding them for 10 years and just in the past 2 years I started having these issues. I've asked my vet and I spoke to alot of breeders about it as well but I just can't figure out what it is. I just had 90 babies hatch and probably about 15 of them are having issues. They are all getting the same nutrition with vit A, proper uvb/uva lighting, proper huminity and temps so I just don't know what else to do. I know there could be so many reasons for eye issues like: vit A deficiency, infections, respiratory infection, too much or not enough huminity. I have definelty done my research but it's killing me not know what is causing this. This only happens to my veilds, my panthers do not have these issues and they are house the same way so I'm guessing it has something to do with the species but I'm not sure. If anyone can help me and has any advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks:)
 
I dont have a clue but could it ha e somethjng to do with a bloodline? Like could it be a genetics thing?
 
Thats what I was thinking but this happens randomly with different parents. Last time I had Karma's babies they were all fine and now half of them have eye issues so if it was genetic than all her babies would have had issues. Thanks for your input.
 
chameleongalore said:
Thats what I was thinking but this happens randomly with different parents. Last time I had Karma's babies they were all fine and now half of them have eye issues so if it was genetic than all her babies would have had issues. Thanks for your input.
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Just so you know, nto all the babies can be affected. If you carry a certain gene and have fraternal twins, one can have it and the other may not. So it can still be genetic. Just a thought. :cool:
 
I didn't know that, it kind of makes sence because i didn't have these problems before but if it was genetic wouldn't they have problem as soon as they hatched. They were fine for two weeks and than all the sudden they started going blind. I use compact bulbs and I know that there has been issues with them before but I have used the same bulbs with other babies that are fine. I also have 4 three month old babies that have eye problems but I think in their case they might have some kind of a virus or respiratory inferctions. I guess when you are dealing with about 600 veiled babies a year you will come across some issues but it still really breaks my heart to see them eventually die because of this issue. The panthers have none of these whats so ever, I find that interesting.
 
kinyonga said:
What kind of eye issues?
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They went blind after two weeks and I just don't know what caused it.Some of Their brothers and sisters are fine so I guess it could be genetic but they were fine for 2 weeks. I was always suspicious with the uvb bulbs but that would have blinded all the babies. It's so frustrating, even my vet is having a hard time trying to figure it out. I guess I will have to get one of the babies tested maybe when it dies but I'm not sure if it will actually show what I'm looking for.
 
chameleongalore said:
I didn't know that, it kind of makes sence because i didn't have these problems before but if it was genetic wouldn't they have problem as soon as they hatched. They were fine for two weeks and than all the sudden they started going blind. I use compact bulbs and I know that there has been issues with them before but I have used the same bulbs with other babies that are fine. I also have 4 three month old babies that have eye problems but I think in their case they might have some kind of a virus or respiratory inferctions. I guess when you are dealing with about 600 veiled babies a year you will come across some issues but it still really breaks my heart to see them eventually die because of this issue. The panthers have none of these whats so ever, I find that interesting.
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Not necessarily. it can take time for even human genetic disorders to come out of hiding. Not everything is necessary. Like the big C, you dont go from fine one day, to stage four the next, takes time. I hope your babies are ok!
 
Just a question, you said you are aware cfl's are linked to eye issues, you use cfl's and have eye issues --- why are you still using cfl's? I am not saying they are the answer, but if you know something could be a problem why not change it the first time you see the problem? Sorry, I don't want to sound rude but I am honestly curious about your thoughts on the bulb's.
 
For Basking lights i just use normal bulbs and I have been for years with both babies and adults because they put out the same amount of heat. For UVB I use exo terra repti glo 5% compact bulbs and also the flourescent tube ones too.
 
For uvb bulbs I use both the exo terra compact repti sun 5% and the flourescent tubes. For basking lights I use normal bulbs because I find that they give out as much heat as basking bulbs from the petstore. Could this be the problem? I use them with all my chams and I don't have issues with all of them.
 
I replied to your question twice but for some reason it doesn't show up so if you get all these replies I'm sorry about that. I use both the coil and the flourescent tube uvb bulbs and for heat I just use normal bulbs since I find that they give out the same amount of heat. I thought it was the uvb bulbs but I use them for all my chams and only some have issues. I know the flourescent ones are probably better but I've had issues with eyes under those bulbs as well. I read your article about eye problems, great info.
 
laurie said:
Just a question, you said you are aware cfl's are linked to eye issues, you use cfl's and have eye issues --- why are you still using cfl's? I am not saying they are the answer, but if you know something could be a problem why not change it the first time you see the problem? Sorry, I don't want to sound rude but I am honestly curious about your thoughts on the bulb's.
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Because I don't think they are the problem. I use both the tube and the coils and I've had problems in either one and some of my chams have been under coil bulbs for years and are doing great so I don't necessarly thing they are the cause. I've read about it but like I said, I've had these issues with flourescent tubes as well.
 
camimom said:
Not necessarily. it can take time for even human genetic disorders to come out of hiding. Not everything is necessary. Like the big C, you dont go from fine one day, to stage four the next, takes time. I hope your babies are ok!
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Yeah, it kind of looks like it is genetic just because I've tried everything so thats kind of bad news I guess. Thanks for all your input.
 
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