Bacterial Infections in Veiled Chameleons
Reptile · Chamaeleo calyptratus · typical adult weight 0.09–0.20 kg
4 cited drugs treat Bacterial Infections in veiled chameleons: Amikacin, Ampicillin, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin.
General coverage of susceptible bacterial pathogens. Drug selection turns on the suspected organism's gram-stain, the patient's species (oral β-lactams unsafe in rabbits/guinea pigs), and the infection site (penetration to bone, CSF, or biliary tree).
The overview above describes Bacterial Infections across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to veiled chameleons — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Amikacin(Amiglyde-V, Amikin)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2.5–5 mg/kg | 5 mg/kg IM once, then 2.5 mg/kg q72h | Bacterial infection (gram-negative) | Weak | 15. Barten SL. The medical care of iguanas and other common pet lizards. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1993;23:1213-1249. | 316. Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1401 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Ampicillin(Polyflex)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 10–20 mg/kg | q12h | Bacterial infection (broad, gram-positive/some gram-negative) | Moderate | 148. Jenkins JR. Husbandry and diseases of old world chameleons. J Small Exot Anim Med. 1992;1:166-171. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1401 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Ceftazidime(Fortaz)
Antibiotic| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 20–40 mg/kg | q48-72h; chameleons use q24h | Bacterial infection, incl. gram-negative aerobes (e.g. Pseudomonas) | Moderate | 90. Funk RS. A formulary for lizards, snakes, and crocodilians. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:333-358. | 316. Stahl SJ. Pet lizard conditions and syndromes. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med. 2003;12:162-182. | 338. White SD, Bourdeau P, Bruet V, et al. Reptiles with dermatological lesions: a retrospective study of 301 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1992-2008). Vet Dermatol. 2010;22:150-161. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1402 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Piperacillin
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 100–200 mg/kg | q24-48h | Bacterial infection (broad-spectrum bactericidal) | Moderate | 148. Jenkins JR. Husbandry and diseases of old world chameleons. J Small Exot Anim Med. 1992;1:166-171. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1403 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Other conditions in Veiled Chameleons
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.