Adopted my first Veiled chameleon

Katiew

New Member
Hello everyone! I “rescued” a veiled chameleon, now named Tonks, on Sunday afternoon from a family that I don’t know very well. They said they were just not able to give him the care that he needs anymore, and I’m concerned he hasn’t had adequate care for a little while. I am pretty experienced with other reptiles and amphibians but this is my first Cham so I’d love some advice on making sure I’m giving Tonks the best life and he’s healthy! I have no clue how old he is, possibly a couple years, and I feel like he’s thin. He’s also missing some of his spikes on his back. I’ve already ordered a much larger enclosure with a lot more climbing vegetation, along with getting some pothos to put in there. I have the calcium dusting powder and am gut loading the crickets, but I haven’t bought any of the vitamins to occasionally dust with yet. He does have a UVB light but I’ve ordered a higher watt for his basking area. He’s already curious and will climb out of his cage and onto my arms. He also will eat a couple mealworms out of my hand. I will post the pics that I have. Thank you all so much for reading this huge post and I appreciate all the help!
 

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Hi and welcome! Tonks actually looks on the overweight side. The puffiness in his casque and cheek is an indication. I would suggest not buying anything else until someone goes over the form with you, just so you are spending money on the right supplies. I’m going to put the help form below just copy and paste.
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
  • Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
  • Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:
  1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
  2. Photos can be very helpful.
 
Hi and welcome! Tonks actually looks on the overweight side. The puffiness in his casque and cheek is an indication. I would suggest not buying anything else until someone goes over the form with you, just so you are spending money on the right supplies. I’m going to put the help form below just copy and paste.
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
  • Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
  • Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:
  1. The more details you
  2. Hi and welcome! Tonks actually looks on the overweight side. The puffiness in his casque and cheek is an indication. I would suggest not buying anything else until someone goes over the form with you, just so you are spending money on the right supplies. I’m going to put the help form below just copy and paste.
    Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


    Chameleon Info:
    • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
    • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
    • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
    • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
    • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
    • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
    • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
    [*]Cage Info:
    • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
    • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
    • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
    • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
    • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
    • Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
    • Location - Where are you geographically located?
    [*]Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

    --------------

    Please Note:
    1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
    2. Photos can be very helpful.
    [*]

  3. provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
  4. Photos can be very helpful.
Thank you! I do see the puffiness now and am glad to hear he’s not underweight. I will definitely copy this form for the heath clinic forum and send that in when I get some slow time at work. I will hold off on buying anything else until I get some clarification on the best stuff for him too. Thank you again!
 
Welcome to the forums!

Your boy definitely has MBD, but I’ll wait for your completed help form to explain further.

Veiled care sheet:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
View attachment 245605View attachment 245606View attachment 245607View attachment 245608View attachment 245609View attachment 245610
Thank you! I was definitely worried about mbd and these pictures were helpful. I’ll fill the health form out as soon as I get a good chunk of time at work.
 
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