Panther Chameleon health problems

[sonakul_t]

Need some help from the chameleon experts. My panther from time to time tends to close its right eye. I have heard this is from dehydration, but recently have been feeding more water with vitamins but the problem does not seem to get better. Also it tends to eat very little. Any expert advise?

[Jordan]

Well the first possibility is that he has something lodged underneath your chameleons eye lid. I would try some very long duration mistings over the next day or two to rule this out. If it is debri your chameleon has the ability to work it out by themselves. Good long mistings and a dripper can help eliminate this in the future.

The other possibilities that come to mind will all require a vet. A bacteria or infection could be to blame. I would make sure that the above is ruled out first. I would not sweat taking him to the vet to much with an eye problem. Most will just require a cream or medicine in an eye dropper. Usually make very quick recoveries in this area.

Your chameleon is probably not eating as much because of the eye problem. Chameleons very rarely focus their eyes on the same thing as you have probably already noticed. One of the few times they do is when they are about to shoot their tongue to catch prey. This helps figure out depth, distance and how fast to do it.

I would caution you with oversupplementation. Chameleons just do not have the mass to take excess. They have small livers and it is very hard on it. Depending on sex, species and age will kind of dictate how you want to supplement. If you want some help with that I will be more then happy too.