A proper introduction to Spooble, my veiled

[LizardLurkin]

You know. I ended up becoming a more active member here than I originally thought, if my username is any indication.
I've really enjoyed seeing so many chameleons, learning so many of the little things to consider in caring for them, their food, seeing so many nice photos every month for the contests. It all only made me want to take care of a chameleon of my own even more!
And so, after a few months, I want to properly introduce Spooble! He's a young veiled, growing more and more into his big boy colors, showing more of that lovable chameleon attitude, every day.

My partner and I had to drive back into the city two hours away to recover a lost item from a hotel, and during the trip, our GPS landed me in a different petco (where I was intending to get more of my cham checklist) and I saw him...And I couldn't stop staring at him. It felt like too many things lead me there, and so we ended up coming home with the runt.
He had an eye issue (still does) so I was wary of showing him off, in fear that might be a reflection on me, but he's a lively and curious little boy and just so, so cute. I've really enjoyed my time caring for him, even if it's quite a step up compared to my two leo girlies. I really want to do it right, so I see myself sticking around for quite some time.

Okay! Pic time!
Most of all my photos of him are of him running away to hide but, he's so lovely when I actually can manage a clear photo!

It's not his good side, but he often looks at me with his poofy eye.
I also can't help but draw him. It's more reliable than taking photos, at least.

 

[absolutbill]

Congrats on your cute boy, and I love your drawings. Do you have a good reptile vet in your area where you can get some help for his eye? I understand he came to you that way, so this is no reflection on you, but now that he's in your care you are able to get him the help he needs.

 

[GrannyK]

Congrats!!! He’s adorable and I definitely agree, you were led there for a reason Glad he’s in your hands now. Lucky guy.

 

[LizardLurkin]

Congrats on your cute boy, and I love your drawings. Do you have a good reptile vet in your area where you can get some help for his eye? I understand he came to you that way, so this is no reflection on you, but now that he's in your care you are able to get him the help he needs.

I've been to a vet about it three times. He had a sizeable keratin plug trapped in there, and after it was flushed, had all this loose skin from it. The vet's assessment is it's likely a deformity (be it an injury or from lack of supplements and uvb as he was growing) that makes him susceptible to foreign debris getting trapped in there, and the hope is that his eye will fill out the slack as he gets bigger. There did not appear to be underlying infection or an abscess.
Currently I'm monitoring it, giving him hydration opportunities in his waking hours (his mister goes off 30 minutes after waking, and 30 minutes before sleeping) to help him keep that eye clean. I am always open to advice. I'd love to see it totally clear up in time as he has a habit of build up that needs to be flushed out, and I worry taking him to the vet often just to get his eye messed with takes away some of the quality of his life
I'll do my best for him!

@GrannyK Thank you, it means a lot I want him to thrive and live as comfy a little chameleon life as possible.

 

[absolutbill]

That makes sense - good luck with your new boy, I can tell he's in great hands! Just wait, now you will want a second one soon, that's how it always happens to us

 

[LizardLurkin]

I was looking into female panther chameleons beforehand but I knew they have an even bigger learning curve what with reproduction...We'll see xD
Those pinks and purples though!