Pre-ovulatory follicle stasis in the veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril et Duméril, 1851

Abstract

In captivity, female veiled chameleons frequently suffer from a common disorder in reptile obstetrics: pre-ovulatory follicle stasis (POFS). During this, vitellogenic follicles do not undergo ovulation and accumulate in the coelomic cavity of the affected animal. It is believed that the main causes, which contribute to the disease’s occurrence, are husbandry related. We suppose that most patients with pre-ovulatory follicle stasis also suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD). The connection between the two disorders seems to be evident, but the hypothesis that MBD predisposes the patient to POFS needs to be verified by more studies in the future. During this study, ten animals affected with POFS were examined and treated. The presence of pre-ovulatory follicles in the coelomic cavity was confirmed by abdominal palpation and radiographic imaging. Eight out of ten animals also suffered from mild to severe forms of MBD. Its presence was detected by palpation of the mandible and the long bones. Clinical signs and symptoms, which animals showed during the clinical examination, were summarized in a table in order to find possible tendencies. In seven out of ten animals, ovariectomy was performed as a form of treatment. In contrast to the conservative approach, surgery resembles a faster and much more successful method to heal animals with POFS. Therefore, if possible, surgery should be the first option in the future.