Matabolic Bone Disease In A Veiled Chameleon

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is well documented in the literature, but it is still probably the most commonly seen problem in captive reptiles.

A 1 year old male Veiled chameleon was presented with the complaint of swollen limbs and not being able to hold on to his branches. Upon examination, the male exhibited muscle tremors, flaccid tail, swollen and severely bowed limbs, "rubber jaw", and a very depressed attitude. He was laying on the bottom of the plastic tub he was brought in.

History taking revealed a diet of mealworms that were not gut loaded and were dusted with vitamins once a week. The chameleon was kept in a screened cage of adequate size, but with exposure to light only through a glass window. The fact that this animal had no exposure to UVB and no significant calcium source led to the condition it was exhibiting. Prognosis was poor due to the severe debilitation of the patient.

The owner declined hospitalization and wanted to pursue treatment on an out-patient basis. Calcium gluconate injections were given intraperitoneally (into the abdomen) twice daily since those were the only times the owner could come in. This process continued for approximately 3 days until the muscle tremors were controlled and the patient started eating. All through this process the chameleon never stopped drinking and had a very good hydration status.

Oral therapy with calcium glubionate was started twice daily for 1 month. After 30 days of oral therapy, the male Veiled chameleon looked much improved and appeared to be completely recovered. All four limbs remained bowed, but the bones felt strong. Oral calcium therapy was continued for 1 more month.

The owner called to report the chameleon was doing great and eating very well. the owner now keeps this male C. calyptratus under a mercury vapor lamp for UVB exposure and gutloads a bigger variety of feeder insects before offering them as food.

This is a successfully treated case that continues to do well because of improved husbandry and nutrition.

Ivan Alfonso, DVM