Chameleon Respiratory Infections
When an infection takes hold in the lungs it will decrease the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen which means the chameleon will have to work harder. Having to work harder to breathe combined with the existing stress on the immune system adds to the downward spiral.
Once you step foot into any chameleon community you are bound to hear about respiratory infections. In this post I am going to explain what a respiratory infection is and explain why, if you listen to social media, just about everything is accused of causing a respiratory infection at some time or another. It sounds like this is a good thing to get to the bottom of! At the end of this post, there will be a link to both a video that goes into more detail and a downloadable infographic that summarizes the key points.
What Is a Chameleon Respiratory Infection (URI)?
So, the first step is to establish just what a respiratory infection is.
Simply, a respiratory infection is a bacterial infection which has taken hold in the lungs of the chameleons. As the infection spreads across the lung surface, the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen is decreased and the chameleon will struggle to get oxygen more and more until the body system shut down and it collapses. While viral, fungal, and parasitic infections can show the same symptoms, our most common threat is bacterial.
Where does this bacteria come from?
Here is the interesting thing. It isn’t some virulent bacteria that causes the infection. It is the every day bacteria that the chameleon breathes in an out each and every day. This is the balance. There is bacteria in every breath we, and our chameleon, take. It is the job of our immune system to kill these bacteria when they try to colonize our nicely moist lungs. And it does. Every breath, the immune system goes in and cleans out the lungs of invaders.
This is why it is imperative to have a strong immune system. Stress and subpar husbandry conditions will weaken the immune system. This is why we chameleon keepers are so obsessed about reducing stress for our chameleons. The good news is that providing proper husbandry will prevent almost all respiratory infections.
Warning Signs of a Respiratory Infection in Chameleons
Stage 1: Malaise
The first stage is your instinct telling you something is wrong. You can’t put a finger on it, but you are on alert. When the infection starts, the external signs are subtle. The key is – is your chameleon acting more lethargic? This can’t be told by an image. It is your observation as to the difference in their behavior.
Action: Be on alert; look for additional signs; be ready to act quickly
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Stage 2: Nose in the Air
When the infection makes it hard to get enough oxygen, a chameleon will put its nose in the air to straighten its trachea and try to make breathing easier.
Action: Get a veterinarian appointment ASAP
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Stage 3: Gaping
As the infection spreads the lungs are desperate for air and the chameleon will open mouth breathe to get as much air in as possible.
Action: Emergency veterinarian appointment NOW
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Stage 4: Eyes Closed
When the eyes start to shut during the day, the chameleon is in the final stages towards death.
Action: Emergency veterinarian appointment NOW
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At any point in this process you will notice that they will start to close their eyes as an indication of their internal distress. At the beginning you will catch them with mouth open and/or eyes closed and they will quickly notice your presence and close their mouth/open their eyes. This is the natural impulse to give a show of being healthy. But this is not the time to question what you saw. This is the time to act as the next step is for the condition to be so bad that the chameleon loses the will to even pretend to be healthy.
The chances of recovery are directly related to when the treatment starts. By time the chameleon sticks its nose in the air, the infection is well under way. There is no other reason for a chameleon to sit on a branch with its nose in the air so do not wait until the symptoms become unmistakeable. Get to the vet as soon as possible and get antibiotic treatment started. This is not overreacting. It is the perfect reaction and it may be what saves your chameleon’s life. Bacterial infections caught early are able to be beaten. If treatment is started late the chances are diminished.
How to Treat a Chameleon Respiratory Infection
Treatment is always two-pronged: the infection itself must be treated medically, and the husbandry conditions that allowed it to develop must be corrected. Treating only one side sets you up for failure.
1. Get to a reptile-experienced veterinarian
A veterinarian is not optional. Antibiotics are prescription medications, and getting the right one matters.
2. Support hydration throughout treatment
Any time the chameleon’s body is processing medication, proper hydration is essential. Some antibiotics cause dehydration as a side effect. Monitor closely and ensure your hydration practices are solid during the full treatment period.
3. Investigate and correct the husbandry
If you treat the infection and return your chameleon to the same conditions, the infection will return.
For more information on Respiratory infections you can 1) Check out a video , and 2) download a summary infographic
1) Watch the video
2) Download an infographic
Respiratory Infection Infographic
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