ADVICE NEEDED! Juvi panther
- Thread starter Leilaskeeper
- Start date
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Check page 2 - I have some pics of the cham, my veileds enclosure and the little enclosure which the panther is in for now. This is what she was in before while in the other owners care. Totally inappropriate I know .. and I'm looking to fix that tomorrow. I just received her at 6:30 pm so it was a little late to visit the reptile store ...
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Here is a picture of the Juvi this morning .. beautiful! I think I'm on the right track but she still shows no interest in eating. I will try more throughout the day. I left a butterworm in a small opaque container since hand feeding was not working. I also left a small cricket hoping the movement might catch her attention when she may be hungry.
I also attached a pic of Leila as well. Just to observe as I placed the Juvi in her enclosure yesterday evening. So far, she looks good
I also attached a pic of Leila as well. Just to observe as I placed the Juvi in her enclosure yesterday evening. So far, she looks good
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Leilaskeeper
New Member
your cages seem really small for the size of your chameleons.
and to me it looks like you have more wide branches than ones that they can easily climb. Work with real plants, branches of all sizes and a bigger cage..screen is recommended
Thanks for your input. If you look back earlier in the discussion, I'm looking for a larger enclosure for the juvi. I know it's insufficient but that's how I received her. I took her under my wing because the owner no longer wanted her and she was severely dehydrated and won't eat.
As for the larger enclosure in the pics, that is actually a sufficient size for a female veiled. It's an exoterra terrarium and the ventilation works well. I acknowledge that this type of terrarium is not good for a male veiled. I have had discussions with some people who swear by them and have successfully had female veileds in it.
As for real branches, could I use ones from outside? If so, how can I 'disinfect' them? I have a real schefflera in there already.
Chameleonator
New Member
Just because they are captive bred, does not ensure you that they are parasite free. Just because one is healthy doesn't mean that there isn't one laying dormant inside it. Waiting for the right time to infest the host. It is the immune system that keeps them in check. That's why I guess that you hear so often "they look so healthy one day and dead the next."
Do a google search on "dormant parasites on chameleons" and you will find one that is linked to this site.
You meant to do good by taking in a sick cham, but you have inadvertently compromised the health of your own cham. Truth of the matter is "can you afford to make the assumption that the reason for the cham being sick is due from just being neglected (dehydrated/under fed)?" Hard to determine without a vet visit or even a simple fecel check.
My advice would be once again isolate everything. Do not cross contaminate. Disinfect everything that the sick cham came into contact with before letting your healthy cham use it again.
skully23
New Member
When I first got branches from outside I soaked them in my tub for one day with water. The next I put new water then put bleach and left it for two days. After that I did like a whole 2-3days of soaking back in clean water.
I was just recently told that you dont have to do that.
Just make sure the branch is dead and you spray it off, wipe it down. Then stick it in your enclosure
draetish
Avid Member
As for real branches, could I use ones from outside? If so, how can I 'disinfect' them? I have a real schefflera in there already.[/QUOTE]
I don't soak or bleach or bake the outside limbs I use. Just hose them off or wipe down with a cloth and that's it. The main thing is to remove any loose bark and I make sure there aren't any sharp numbs sticking out. I wouldn't use limbs from trees that you know are toxic or if they are sappy or if you know pesticides have been used.
I don't soak or bleach or bake the outside limbs I use. Just hose them off or wipe down with a cloth and that's it. The main thing is to remove any loose bark and I make sure there aren't any sharp numbs sticking out. I wouldn't use limbs from trees that you know are toxic or if they are sappy or if you know pesticides have been used.
draetish
Avid Member
Just make sure the branch is dead and you spray it off, wipe it down. Then stick it in your enclosure[/QUOTE]
You really don't have to have a "dead" branch, but if you use a fresh cut, make sure there isn't anything oozing. You want the limbs to be skinny enough for the cham to clamp his feet around and some that are slightly larger too, just a good combo.
You really don't have to have a "dead" branch, but if you use a fresh cut, make sure there isn't anything oozing. You want the limbs to be skinny enough for the cham to clamp his feet around and some that are slightly larger too, just a good combo.
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Still no eating. Poop is runny and it wasn't much. She's very active though.
I managed to borrow a flexarium more than suitable for the panther.
But now I'm concerned ... parasites? Put my other cham in harms way? My goodness, what have I done.
tkilgour
Member
Just take everything in strides. You are making head way here and with luck everything will be okay. Some people bake branches in the oven at 350 deg. for 30 minutes. Some people do nothing at all. I personally like baking my branches just to sterilize things. Also, many people use glass enclosures w/ no issues at all. I have been using them for babies and they work well. Also, you can force feed a chameleon by lightly covering up the nostrils and lightly pulling down the lower jaw. Then just stick the cricket in the chams. mouth and let them bite down. I usually like to know exactly the health problem before using this method. You can also make cricket juice like kinyonga suggested. Butterworms are great feeders, also silkworms, crickets, and roaches. Make sure you gutload your feeders well with kale, collards, apples, oranges, carrots and melon. Supplement according to age with the correct products. This will all help to ensure the cham. is getting a quality diet. I would try to get to a vet. The bill may be $100 American for the visit and meds. Best of luck to you.
draetish
Avid Member
Still no eating. Poop is runny and it wasn't much. She's very active though.
I managed to borrow a flexarium more than suitable for the panther.
But now I'm concerned ... parasites? Put my other cham in harms way? My goodness, what have I done.
Don't panic, if she's active and drinking that is good. Are you giving her pedilyte still and how much? Has anyone recommended Reptaid? I personally have not had to use it, but it is good all around med for chams. I am going to order some just to have on hand in case I need it. I don't think I would try to force feed her a whole cricket. Instead make some liquid food and feed it to her in a dropper or syringe. There is a thread on the forum of a good receipe I'll find for you.
Leilaskeeper
New Member
I had my husband feed her today while I was out for the day. He said she ate about ten drops of the pedialyte. Never heard about Reptaid .. I will google it.
She always wants to get out of that little enclosure - I don't blame her. She always wants to be in my arms running around. I had a silk worm and a butter worm in my hand but she showed no interest in eating at all. I also had a cricket in the enclosure but no luck. If she still shows no interest tomorrow by the afternoon, I'm going to provide the bug mix.
Well, with some luck, I found a generous 100 gal flexarium for $20!!! I shoved every plant I have in that enclosure. See pic attached. I know the Ficus is a little big but it's that or no plants in the top part of the enclosure. You can also see my little munchkin in the corner too!
I have one vine in there so far ... she is not in there yet. Tomorrow morning I will work on putting another vine and some other climbing things. Hanging the light will be tricky so I have to be crafty... I will keep updating.
Attachments
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Thanks for your advice! I have some branches I have in mind to use .. and I will wash and bake them to be safe. Gutloading is already underway
Now, I just have to get her to eat the little suckers lol ...
draetish
Avid Member
I had my husband feed her today while I was out for the day. He said she ate about ten drops of the pedialyte. Never heard about Reptaid .. I will google it.
She always wants to get out of that little enclosure - I don't blame her. She always wants to be in my arms running around. I had a silk worm and a butter worm in my hand but she showed no interest in eating at all. I also had a cricket in the enclosure but no luck. If she still shows no interest tomorrow by the afternoon, I'm going to provide the bug mix.
Well, with some luck, I found a generous 100 gal flexarium for $20!!! I shoved every plant I have in that enclosure. See pic attached. I know the Ficus is a little big but it's that or no plants in the top part of the enclosure. You can also see my little munchkin in the corner too!
I have one vine in there so far ... she is not in there yet. Tomorrow morning I will work on putting another vine and some other climbing things. Hanging the light will be tricky so I have to be crafty... I will keep updating.
You got a great deal on that and I know you will make it a nice home for her. Your little munchkin is cute and I bet she keeps you super busy along with your new little munchkin.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
But now I'm concerned ... parasites? Put my other cham in harms way? My goodness, what have I done.
Don't panic...the "new" cham wasn't in the cage very long and wasn't pooping probably. You can always get your other cham checked for parasites and treat them if needed. That isn't a crisis. Parasites are so common it would be a miracle if they had none at all. Get the new cham stable and then get a fecal exam done. Only treat the specific parasites that show up.
Elizadolots
New Member
I just want to say how much I admire you for taking this on...you're amazing. I think "Don't Panic!" should be your mantra. I think you're sort of like the person giving CPR at the site of a car wreck....without you, the victim would be dead. You can ask yourself if you could have done better, but the fact is, without you the victim would be dead.
Everything will work out because you are committed to make it happen.
Everything will work out because you are committed to make it happen.
Leilaskeeper
New Member
Well that was very nice to read
Makes me feel good. Don't panic should be my mantra lol .. I tend to do that at times. Thanks for the note Carlton. I'm going to look into a fecal check with the local rep vet. I have to say, this cham now compared to how she was before, is looking fantastic. I have placed her in the new enclosure and she's exploring everything. She is loving the drip and I've even watched her use her tongue to shoot out and get some droplets off leaves. BIG improvement. She still isn't showing signs of interest in eating. I put two small crix in the enclosure and I am letting them jump around in hopes that she might take one. I don't think she is interested in hand feeding nor cup feeding ... but looks like I'm going to have to feed her a 'bug juice'.
I have one recipe ... does anyone have any others so I may compare? I need this little girl to eat and today IS the day. She must eat.
Similar threads
