Vitamin A Deficiency in Pet Chameleons

Chameleons are known for their ability to change their appearance in order to match their environment and have grown in popularity as a pet in recent years. Just as with any type of pet, chameleons are prone to certain health issues, such as a vitamin deficiency. Therefore, it is important for pet owners to be aware of any health issue that may arise in their chameleons.

So, What is Vitamin A and How Does it Affect My Pet Chameleon?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin also known as retinol (or, preformed vitamin A.) It is commonly found in foods like carrots, as well as various meats (beef, chicken and its eggs.)

Most importantly, vitamin A plays a huge role in the overall health of a pet chameleon.

Unfortunately, pet chameleons are prone to vitamin A deficiency, also known as hypovitaminosis A, so it is important for the owner to know what symptoms to look for. (Of course, it goes without saying that any changes in a chameleon's health or behavior should be reported to its veterinarian, anyway.)

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in a chameleon include necrosis (death) of the tip of the tail, swelling of the lips and around the eyes, loss of appetite, skin abnormalities, skeletal (particularly of the vertebrae) abnormalities and difficulties with gripping onto things or maintaining its posture.

What Causes Hypovitaminosis A in Pet Chameleons?

Pet chameleons are more prone to vitamin A deficiencies than their wild counterparts for one simple reason: their diet.

In the wild, chameleons feed on vitamin a (and nutrient-rich) insects. They also eat birds and small lizards. The species of lizards, insects and birds that the chameleons eat have eaten large amounts of plants which are rich in nutrients, including vitamin A, (which just goes to show how important the eco-system really is!) It is through this that the wild chameleon stays healthy and maintains an adequate level of vitamin A in his body.

Unfortunately, captive chameleons are often fed store-bought insects and foods. Though the foods may be supplemented with nutrients, some store-bought insects are often deprived nutritionally and do not contain adequate levels of nutrients (including vitamin A) that a chameleon needs.

What are the Treatment Options for Vitamin Deficiencies in Pet Chameleons?

A veterinarian will be needed to confirm the presence of vitamin A deficiency, so it is important to bring your chameleon in if you suspect he is suffering from this issue.

Once confirmed, the veterinarian will give an oral or injectable dose of vitamin A to the chameleon. If there are additional health issues (such as an infection) at the time of diagnosis, then this too, needs to be corrected while at the veterinarian's office.

After receiving this initial treatment, it is up to the owner to ensure that their chameleon gets adequate levels of vitamin A. One simple step for this is to feed the insects prior to feeding the insects to the chameleon.

For example, when bringing home a new batch of insects (grasshoppers, mealworms, crickets, earthworms,) feed them vitamin rich foods a few hours (or at least one day) before giving them to the chameleon. Vitamin rich foods include carrots, corn meal, spinach, mustard greens and apples. Feeding the insects before feeding the chameleon will translate into a healthier chameleon.

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Additional Information:

All Creatures Animal Hospital: Common Diseases of Chameleons

Animal Planet: Chameleons and Vitamin A