Initial Health Evaluation

The following information is aimed at providing help in doing a basic pre-purchase exam on a panther chameleon. For practical purposes we have divided the exam into the different parts of the chameleon body.

• Eyes

  Chameleon eyes are basically completely covered by a well-developed eyelid. Evaluating the eye itself is difficult, but the shape and condition of the eyelid can lend a view to the chameleon’s health. Their shape should be that of an inverted cone, appearing smooth-scaled and "lively". The eyes should always be open during daytime and looking around constantly. Eyes should not be sunken into the sockets, neither should they be swollen or excessively bulging out. No crusts or debris should be present on the eyelids or coming out of the eyes.

• Head

  The fat storages, a.k.a. fat pads, on both sides of the parietal crest should be flat or slightly convex. If they are concave or sunken in, then it is not a good sign and usually means malnourishment or emaciation. The parietal crest and the rostral process should be rough but scales must look normal. Any lesions on these areas could potentially become infected and cause problems.

• Mouth

  The mouth should be clean with no type of material on the lips or teeth. The tongue must look healthy as well, with no signs of ulceration or other lesions. Look for accumulation of cheesy-appearing material or small green blisters in the lips or gums, as they usually indicate the presence of a mouth infection or stomatitis. Given the chameleons’ unique method of capturing their prey, it is of utmost importance that the mouth and tongue are in top shape.

• Skin

  Skin should be uniformly smooth and colored. Areas of discoloration or roughness (bumps, open sores, etc.) could indicate problems of various origins. Subcutaneous filarial worms are often found under the skin of wild caught panther chameleons. Their presence is usually non-pathogenic but a qualified Veterinarian should remove them as soon as possible.

• Extremities

  All 4 extremities should be strong enough to allow the chameleon to walk without dragging its belly on the branches. The grip of the feet should be strong and most nails, if not all, should be present. The toes should all be normal size, which means they should all be the same size with no swellings or lesions. Chameleon’s feet are very sensitive and a severe infection could develop from just a small lesion. The elbow and knee joints should have a typical "V" shape. The chameleon should have sure footing and not exhibit a staggering or shivering motion of the feet and legs when walking. Any deviation from normal parameters could indicate symptoms of calcium deficiency.

• Tail

  The tail should be able to wrap tightly around any object the chameleon is perched on. It should also be smooth and uniformly colored. The tip of the tail should end on a rather pointed tip although some panther chameleons can be born with short tails that look different. The tail should also be able to wrap on itself in a tight coil that gives up the classic chameleon posture.

• Cloaca

  The cloaca should be clean at all times and neatly protected by outer skin. Any swelling, redness, discoloration, dried feces, etc. can be an indication of disease or trauma.

There are many other aspects to look for but many require the help of an experienced or trained eye to detect them. It is the authors' opinion that any panther chameleon should be taken to a Veterinarian for a more in-depth health check after being purchased. This is standard procedure when you buy or adopt a puppy or kitten so it shouldn’t be any different for your chameleon.

Ivan Alfonso, DVM