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So I'm not certain, but I think Chandler might be starting to pass, his colors have changed, he's not holding on to anything and despite not having pain, he's vibrating as I hold him. His breathing is also laboured.

I do have one question, for those members that have acquired a chameleon from PetSmart, knowing the issues faced by this, what has been a PetSmart chameleon's lifespan. I knew prior to acquiring Chandler that the odds were against him living to be 5 years old because he came from PetSmart which...

Honestly I'm not struggling with this because it seems my options are to be let him pass peacefully and naturally or euthanasia. Euthanasia would be slightly easier on myself, but I view it as cruel if he is passing away naturally without pain. I don't know his exact age, but based on the fact...

Well I have to play it day by day. He's doing better in some ways worse in others. I know I'm facing old age so there's not much I can do. From what I've seen 5 years tends to be the average, but there are exceptions. Ironically I know a lot of people's memories gets fuzzy after five years as I...

Yeah, everything I've managed to find, the average is five years, rarely longer than that, but not unheard of. Chandler is my first panther and according to the vet, I've done exceptionally well, I'm just facing the one thing I have very little power to change. It seems like the range is 5-7...

The vet did tell me that a panther chameleon typically lives closer to 5 years, what is the consensus here?

As of today, his enclosure has been altered to reduce risk of falling and I installed a shooting gallery. Tested it and saw him eat some crickets but lights turn off soon.

Had a check up today, he has improved, starting meds to help with the arthritis. Honestly the vet is happy with him as his level of care is really high and he is in much better shape than most of the chameleons the vet sees. I know I've done good, but I'm likely fighting something that I can't...

Well quick update on Chandler, since force feeding him and basically nursing him back to health, he's a bit more mobile, showing interest in food again and fighting the care regime more each day. If he continues to improve, I can start pain medication for his arthritis. He's more mobile and...

So I've got to cut the height of his enclosure and change the climing paths to give a more gradual vertical change.

I got the results back, waiting for a bowel movement to do a fecal but bloodwork came back really good. X-rays show he's got major arthritis and one knee is failing as a result. So in summary he's just old. I haven't received the X-rays via email but I'll post his bloodwork results. A few...

Well I was already prepared for this but it looks more likely that it's old age. It sucks but I also know based on acquiring him from PetSmart that odds were against him living to 5 years of age. I'm getting a full analysis done but it's most likely just old age, he still has fight left in him...

Vet appointment is booked, getting too nervous.

I may be making a vet visit after all. While his grip strength is better today, I noticed that he was sleeping during the day. Colors are better today as well too.

I will be, I've tended to catch stuff before a vet thinks it's a concern, so first I'll be ensuring his care requirements are good. The only thing I found that was out so far was his basking temps which have been corrected. He hasn't fallen yet, just showing signs that he needs heat as in he was...

True, honestly I'm realizing just how difficult these creatures are to care for as the area they come from experiences quite a bit of seasonality, similar issues are faced with keeping certain primate species in zoos. I do have a bit of seasonality within my enclosure with the misting system...

In all honesty it depends on the design of the enclosure, species and area of the world you live in. I live in a cooler, less humid environment, so I tend to have to mist and heat more. In talking to keepers of other reptiles, I'm starting to see why chameleons are not a commonly kept species...

I know of a good vet with experience I've used before. He hasn't changed behaviour much, but enough that I'm worried, I will check his enclosure parameters first before a vet visit. If he doesn't improve after ensuring his enclosure parameters are good, then I will book a vet appointment. If he...

While it is meant to raise temperatures, it is dependent on the environment the enclosure is set up in. For example up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the basking lamp is consistently on during the day cycle due to ambient temperatures. But other members here living further south sometimes do not...

Honestly, even if his time is drawing near, it's oddly appropriate considering the situation when I bought him versus where I stand now. I acquired him during one of the most trying times in my life to date, of which I'm now hitting the other side of. Even the upgrades in his care I've done...