How to Identify Sick Veiled Chameleons

Veiled chameleons are popular lizards that thrive in hot climates. Easy to maintain and enjoy with proper care, veiled chameleons are prone to certain types of illness. Learn how to identify sick veiled chameleons to avoid and treat illness in your pet.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Inspect your veiled chameleons for tick and mite infestation. Look under the folds of skin on under the neck, armpits and tail where mites and ticks can attach. If your veiled chameleon is infested, anti-mite medications are required that can be purchased at a pet store. Thoroughly clean and sanitize the veiled chameleon habitat to ensure mite and tick eggs are killed.

2. Observe the body of the veiled chameleon. If your pet has any bone curvature, the lizard likely has a bone condition caused by a lack of calcium it the diet.

3. View the color of your veiled chameleon for noticeable, constant changes. Although veiled chameleons change color often to provide camouflage, consistent dark and dreary colors can signify illness or stress.

4. Check the eyes of your veiled chameleon. Eyes that are sunken in can signify dehydration. Veiled chameleons often have their eyes open to observe the world around them. If the eyes of your veiled chameleon remain closed for long periods of time, your pet is likely sick.

5. Handle your veiled chameleon to test its temperament. Veiled chameleons don't like to be handled and usually hiss and open their mouth to signify their distaste. Veiled chameleons that have no instinctive reaction to hiss and seem lethargic are commonly sick.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your veiled chameleon a calcium supplement to avoid bone disorders associated with a lack of calcium.
• Always carefully observe female veiled chameleons during egg-laying time. Eggs take a lot of water from female veiled chameleons and if left unchecked could cause dehydration.