New Chameleon Acting Tired

I adopted a 10 month old, male Jackson's chameleon about a week and a half ago and I'm concerned about how he's been acting for the past 24 hours. (This is my first time caring for a chameleon.)

I have him in an all mesh enclosure that's about 16x16x20 (the setup came with him and I have not changed anything except for the cfl UV light that I've heard is bad for their eyes.)

He is located in my 100 sq ft enclosed atrium where temperatures go from the upper 60s at night to the upper 70s in the day. Humidity is staying around 60% with spraying a couple times a day.

He seemed to be doing well, moving around and acting alert. I've seen him eat a few crickets, but assumed he was hunting while I was at work.

Yesterday he started to act extremely lethargic; laying on a branch and not holding on at all with his front legs. I did some research and thought dehydration might be the issue. I adjusted the drip-setup and he immediately went for the water, drinking for at least 20 minutes and letting me mist him while he held his mouth open.

Unfortunately this hasn't changed his energy levels. He still isn't holding on to anything with his front legs and seems very sleepy during the day.

I've been reading about the possible issues, from stress to parasites to metabolic bone disease, but am hesitant to take him to a vet since if it's stress related I'm sure that would only add to the problem.

When he does move, his front left leg seems very wobbly as he moves, and I'm not sure he's actually eating much as I saw quite a few crickets in the cage today, leftover from the other day. Whether it's malnutrition or metabolic bone disease, I have no idea how to make him eat the necessary food.


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm willing to spend whatever time or money it takes to provide him a happy and healthy home.

(I've attached 4 pictures taken this morning.)

-Ian

His legs and feet appear swollen. I had this happen to a jackson I purchased from a pet store.

*Update*

I got home today and he was much lower in the enclosure, still not using his front legs and leaning against one of the sides.

He seems alert (eye movement), but has no interest in food or water.

How much should a 10 month old Jackson's chameleon be eating?

I'm fairly certain he's on one of those "hunger strikes" I've read about and would love some suggestions as to the best way to force him to eat.

I've offered him crickets, meal worms and a wax worm. I can't find anyone in the area with silkworms.

I've tried putting the food in bowls on the side of the wall and on the ground with easy access as well as free-roaming crickets.

I've read about diluting veal baby food or making some bug juice (don't think my wife will let that one happen...) and slowly giving them some through a dropper.

If anyone with some experience has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate the help!

Thanks again.

-Ian

I took mine to the vet because he couldn't hold on to the branches and was in pain. Unfortunately, they didn't do much for him, except give him fluids, worm him and give antibiotics to give at home. They didn't know what it was and he didn't survive. I would suggest going to a GREAT reptile vet that would be familiar with the symptoms. A few weeks after he died, the vet sent me a care sheet for a veiled

Sorry I can't help. That was the last time I bought a chameleon from a pet store.

His front left foot is swollen....like,you infected. You need to take him to a vet to have it looked after IMHO.