"Camille" is a 3 year old female veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) that presented to the Avian & Exotic Animal Medical Center (Miami, Florida) for a gradual onset of weakness and weight loss, culminating in difficulty laying a clutch of eggs. This chameleon was successfully bred to a male 35 days prior and became gravid. During gestation, she experienced excessive loss of muscle mass and a decreased appetite. Towards the end of the gestation period, she exhibited lethargy, inappetance, and spent an excessive amount of time with her eyes closed. This was to be her second clutch of eggs.

The chameleon was then brought to the veterinarian. On physical exam, she was weak, thin, dehydrated, and eggs were palpable in the abdomen. Her body weight was 100 grams which was down from her usual weight of 150 - 160 grams. Radiographs (x-rays) were performed and demonstrated the presence of approximately 10 more eggs in the abdomen No other radiographic lesions were seen and bone density was judged to be adequate for a laying female. Blood work was declined by the owner. These findings revealed that the egg-laying process was incomplete, and that the female was exhausted and dehydrated.

The chameleon was placed in a warmed hospital cage kept at 95ºF, and provided with multiple branches for perching. Fluids, specifically lactated Ringer's solution plus 2.5% dextrose, were delivered at a constant infusion. A bolus of injectable calcium gluconate was given intramuscularly at 300 mg/kg. The author routinely dilutes this drug 1:1 with normal saline to reduce muscle irritation or necrosis.

The following day the chameleon was discharged from the hospital with the intraosseous catheter still in place. Instructions were given to the owner to give periodic slow small fluid boluses through the catheter for the next 2 days. In addition, injectable intramuscular calcium gluconate was to be given at 100-150 mg/kg twice daily for the next 2 days. Feeding instructions were to provide plenty of oral fluids and to feed calcium-dusted gut-loaded insects as frequently as possible.

Over the next few days, she intermittently dropped about 10 more eggs, for a clutch total of approximately 26 eggs. The 8 eggs originally deposited were fertile healthy eggs. Unfortunately, most of the eggs laid after the original 8 in the nest box were not viable

Gravid female chameleons face great metabolic demands in the production of a clutch of eggs. This can often lead to their unfortunate illness or demise in captivity. Providing proper husbandry, ensuring the animal is well hydrated, and offering a high quality diet is key in getting them to survive the challenges of gestation.

Dystocia, which is defined as difficulty giving birth, is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence in chameleons. Also called egg binding, or egg retention, dystocia in oviparous (egg-laying) reptiles refers to the inability to lay eggs. Qualified help from an experienced reptile veterinarian should be sought when dystocia is suspected, as delays or home remedies can worsen the prognosis.

Dystocias can be managed in a variety of ways, but each case must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Examples of managing this condition range from basic supportive care to aggressive calcium supplementation and fluid therapy (as seen in the above case) to hormonal management using oxytocin or prostaglandins to Cesarean section or ovariohysterectomy (spaying).

Generally speaking, chameleons used for breeding should be of a fully mature size and age and in good body condition. For veiled chameleons, this may mean delaying breeding until they reach 9-12 months of age. It is a common MISCONCEPTION that female veiled chameleons need to be bred at their first signs of sexual receptivity, which may be as early as 3.5 – 5 mo 5 months. In actuality, those females first bred at a later age, once they are fully grown, appear to live longer lives and experience fewer problems with egg binding. Finally, chameleons that are ill, debilitated, geriatric, or obese should not be bred.

While spaying female chameleons is not a routine procedure at this time, it is an issue to ponder for those animals kept as pets where there is no intent to breed. Such a procedure might improve longevity in females and eliminate egg-related disorders. As veterinary medicine advances into the 21st century, reptile surgeries such as this will become more commonplace.