Chameleon Medical: Fungal Infection

Fungal infections manifest as growths on the skin. These growths are often of a fuzzy appearance. Fungal infections are fatal and if you have a chameleon with one then a vet visit is highly recommended for an appropriate anti-fungal routine. Fungal infections can be contagious and so you are dealing with a time bomb.

Fungus can be overlooked by those who are not sure what to look for. Look carefully on this Trioceros deremensis chameleon for the fuzzy splotches all over its body. This is the fungus. A fungal infection can be very difficult to treat.

A fungal attack is justification for going straight to your vet. There are anti-fungal medicines.

This carpet chameleon is in advanced stage of fungal infection and was not able to be saved.

This female Jackson’s Chameleon is being treated topically for a fungal infection.

Fungal infections usually come on wild caught chameleons. And this is one reason why quarantine of any wild caught chameleon is so important. The female Trioceros deremensis chameleon presented on this page was in her quarantine when the fungus made itself known. Unfortunately, the female that came with her was also infected. Anti-fungals were not effective in enough time and both perished. Fungal infections are serious business. There are some fungal infections that are very contagious and act very quickly. I lost my two females, but the quarantine process saved my collection. Cages that housed chameleons must be thoroughly disinfected afterwards. My disinfection of choice is bleaching the cage and throwing it, and anything in it, away.