Worried owner

[Haze1981]

Hello

I am a new Chameleon owner. We have a little male Yemen chameleon which we have only had for 2 weeks. He is our 1st chameleon but we have other reptiles. Today he seems lethargic and weak. He is not moving around as he normally does and his eyes seem a little sunken in. He also doesn't seem interested in food.

 

[carol5208]

please fill this out so we can try and see what is going on.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Haze1981]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male Yemen chameleon, not sure on age but brought from pet shop 2 weeks ago. He is only small.
Handling - Every couple of day for about 2 mins.
Feeding - We are feeding crickets that are gut loaded and dusted with nutrobal. He has about 5 or 6. They are put in his enclosure in the morning.
Supplements - Dusted with nutrobal.
Watering - We have a little dripper running all day and he is misted twice a day. We don't see him drinking much he normally sits on the top leaves and drinks straight from the drop off the top.
Fecal Description - Dropping are brown and white and they have not been tested for parasites.
History - I have not had any problems but we have only had him 2 weeks.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Zoo Med ReptiBreeze Open Air Screen Cage Medium 40x40x76cm
Lighting - He has a basking bulb and a reptisun 5.0 bulb
Temperature - Temp is 18 degrees on the cage floor and 29.5 degrees at the top.
Humidity - Humidity is generally around 45 to 50%. I spray regally and I have real plants in the enclosure.
Plants - I have ficus and umbrella plants.
Placement - The cage is in the corner of my living room and the top if the cage is above eye level.
Location - England

Current Problem - He seems to have no energy with little interest in food. Also his eyes seem a little sunken in. Not a lot though. I am worried about the little George. We haven't had him long and I would hate to think that we are doing something wrong. He just isn't him self today and it has got me worried I would be so upset if anything happened to him. Sorry if I am being a neurotic new owner. He is our 1st chameleon and I want to do what is right for him.

 

[carol5208]

you are not being neurotic at all. There is definitely something wrong with your chameleon with the symptoms you are describing. Dehydration can cause a chameleon to go down quickly. Not saying that is the case here but a possibility. All things in your set up seem fine and pretty much what we all do with our chameleons to keep them healthy. I am thinking it is possible that your chameleon has parasites. Is there any fresh poop in the cage that you could collect to get tested? I would try dripping water directly on his nose for a few minutes and see if you can get him to drink. I know he is sick now but maybe try not to handle him so much

 

[Haze1981]

I will try to find some to get it tested but i don't want to disturb him too much. Should I increase his misting? What about him not eating? I just want him too be all right. He only about 8cms long (body only) so he is still little. Is showering him recommended or is that a no no?

 

[sulley]

you should not have his dripper on all day.only 3-4 times a day for 20mins each time.yes i would mist him 4 times a day.

 

[carol5208]

well you could shower him yes, for hydration also. I like using an eye dropper. Something about dripping the water directly on their nose seems to get them to drink. As far as the eating, I would not force feed him yet. The poop has to be moist and not dried out. If you find a fresh one, then put it in a Ziploc baggy on a wet paper towel and store it in the fridge until you can get to a vet. I am not saying our cham for sure has parasites, but atleast you could rule that out if you can get a fecal done. Everything else in your set up seems fine so I don't know what to tell you. Usually there is something that stands right out like the temps are too high, or there is no uvb light., etc but I really don't see anything wrong. I don't know anything about Nutrobal but I have seen a lot of members in the UK that use it so I guess it is ok.

 

[carol5208]

you should not have his dripper on all day.only 3-4 times a day for 20mins each time.yes i would mist him 4 times a day.

I run my drippers all day. Why should you not???

 

[Haze1981]

Thank you for your advice. I have just misted him again and I saw him drink from a leaf. Not a lot but its a start.