Advice Please!!

[Elizadolots]

I hate those squinty eyes....

Regardless of whether she has eggs now or not, you need to have a place in her enclosure for her to either a) use as a laying bin or b)use to tell you she needs to be removed to a laying bin.

 

[ISA my Veiled]

Her eyes are closed during the daytime... yes we just had a mini-photoshoot lol! My iphone just charged, so I'll take some closer photos of her eyes so you guys can see them better. I believe she's about a year old, that's what my friend said anyway. She's so sweet! Other than that, why hasn't she eaten in 5 days?! Isn't that worriesome? going to take a couple of more photos

They are?! That is not a good sign...There are many things that could lead to her closing her eyes during the day but you really do not want it to happen. I am not 100% on what the causes could be but a lot of other people on the forum would know.

Yeah photo shoots are fun when they aren't hissing at you lol

Her not eating could be a number of things, if she is healthy she can go days with out eating without a problem. She might be going on a hunger strike so I would ask the previous owner what he/she was feeding her. Umm, besides that she could be sick so you may have to take her to the vet. I don't want to sound rude but maybe that is why your friend gave her to you, they knew something was wrong and they didn't want to deal with it...Don't want that to have to be the case but it could be.

 

[twatts704]

The not eating could be due to stress of the new cage. Take my advice with the cup feeding on the first page of this thread. Also take out the substrate and put paper towel down instead. Substrate can lead to impaction.

 

[Indica]

Better Quality

Here are some better quality photos of her that I just took. Her eyes stay this squinty

 

[Elizadolots]

The squinty eyes are a bad thing.

Try misting more than seems humanely possible. I'm battling a squinty eye and it seems like really excessive misting (like 2 gallons of hot/warm water) on Monday results in perfectly opened eyes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday....then squinting on Friday. It seems like I almost have to drown him one day to get his eyes opened for the next day....

 

[Indica]

They are?! That is not a good sign...There are many things that could lead to her closing her eyes during the day but you really do not want it to happen. I am not 100% on what the causes could be but a lot of other people on the forum would know.

Yeah photo shoots are fun when they aren't hissing at you lol

Her not eating could be a number of things, if she is healthy she can go days with out eating without a problem. She might be going on a hunger strike so I would ask the previous owner what he/she was feeding her. Umm, besides that she could be sick so you may have to take her to the vet. I don't want to sound rude but maybe that is why your friend gave her to you, they knew something was wrong and they didn't want to deal with it...Don't want that to have to be the case but it could be.

She hasn't hissed at me yet! I just don't feel like she's active enough either... The previous owner was feeding her 7-10 crickets a day! My friend knew she was too expensive to take care of, but my friend also owns many animals so I know she was being honest. Besides the fact that I trust her lol, I know you aren't trying to be rude though!

 

[suzi]

I am curious as to what type of lighting you have there> I see one light and it looks pretty bright, is it a mercury vapor? with UVB ? if so try raising it up off the cage. If not you need a UVB. do you know what type and brand it is?

 

[Elizadolots]

I find myself wondering about your lights. I think you need to complete the https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ form. Just click that link, copy the questions, paste them into a reply then add your info. Your chameleon just looks like the lights are bothering him...I can't really explain it or justify it. All I can do is ask you for your information.

 

[ISA my Veiled]

She hasn't hissed at me yet! I just don't feel like she's active enough either... The previous owner was feeding her 7-10 crickets a day! My friend knew she was too expensive to take care of, but my friend also owns many animals so I know she was being honest. Besides the fact that I trust her lol, I know you aren't trying to be rude though!

Well I would try what Eliza said and hopefully that will help her open her eyes. Luke warm water though you do not want it to hot.

And yeah they can be high maintenance lol

 

[Elizadolots]

Hey, hot in the mister is warm coming out. You don't want it boiling though. My suggestion is half boiling, half room temperature. It will cool more on the way to your chameleon.

 

[gavriel]

Take a good look at her pupils. I have had herps before that get eye caps. It's when the skin from their shed doesn't come off the pupil creating a layer over their eye causing blured vision. I saw it a couple other species. It can be very irritating to the eyes and they will rub them on objects trying to remove the cap. If it is, misting with luke warm water can help. If it doesn't, a vet should be helpful. It will look like a clouded eye, with a milky tint to it.

 

[Indica]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, Female, I've had her for 5 days
Handling - 15-20 max per day (not all at the same time)
Feeding - Large crickets from petco and mealworms, she's eaten neither thus far.
Supplements - Rep-Cal Calcium w/VIT.D3
Watering - Spray 2-4x daily, water "bowl"
Fecal Description -I have not seen any fecal matter thus far
History -

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen, 16" x 16"(dpth) x 20(h)

Lighting - Repti-Glo 26w 5.0 compact w/ some sort of blue bulb (received that from my friend). My friend did have a much smaller UVB bulb when I received Calypso. I read some info online & bought the one I mentioned. I leave the UVB on 10-12 a day, and turn it off but leave the blue light on when I sleep (average of 4-7 hrs). She's near my window with some indirect sunlight.

Temperature - 75F-80F at night & 84F-90F during the day (10-12 hrs)
Humidity - I'm embarrassed- other than my 3 daily sprays of water, I have no other means of humidity. I need to get a drip watering ASAP!
Plants - No live plants, 2 non toxic leaf like "branches" hanging from the sides of the cage, 3 vertical faux branches and a water bowl
Placement - My kitchen, decent amount of traffic.
Location - Florida

Current Problem - Eyes

 

[Indica]

Omg!

You guys, the chameleon ancestors must have spoken to Calypso- Either that or she felt y'alls love, because I was able to hand feed her a large cricket along with a lot of gulps of water! Should I try to give her another one? I am so so happy right now... Seriously!

 

[twatts704]

You guys, the chameleon ancestors must have spoken to Calypso- Either that or she felt y'alls love, because I was able to hand feed her a large cricket along with a lot of gulps of water! Should I try to give her another one? I am so so happy right now... Seriously!

I would wait to feed her until tomorrow. Let her sleep now. She should be on a normal sleep schedule of like 9-9 or 10-10. Feeding them right before they go to sleep is harder on their digestive system. Very happy you got her to eat though. How did she drink by the way?

 

[Indica]

I would wait to feed her until tomorrow. Let her sleep now. She should be on a normal sleep schedule of like 9-9 or 10-10. Feeding them right before they go to sleep is harder on their digestive system. Very happy you got her to eat though. How did she drink by the way?

Thank you! She just fell asleep, she drank as i slowly let water drip out of her squirt bottle. I just don't think she was getting the care she needed before.

 

[twatts704]

Thank you! She just fell asleep, she drank as i slowly let water drip out of her squirt bottle. I just don't think she was getting the care she needed before.

I would invest in a live plant too. That will not only help you with your humidity but it will also give your cham something to drink off of. It is a lot better to sit there for 2-3 minutes while you are spraying the cage and her to make sure she is drinking. She will start opening her mouth and drinking. Then she will drink the water off the leaves. I wouldn't use a bowl of water or squirt bottle anymore. (I know you were just trying anything to get her to drink and that's great) glad things are starting to look good.

 

[AngieL]

Take a good look at her pupils. I have had herps before that get eye caps. It's when the skin from their shed doesn't come off the pupil creating a layer over their eye causing blured vision. I saw it a couple other species. It can be very irritating to the eyes and they will rub them on objects trying to remove the cap. If it is, misting with luke warm water can help. If it doesn't, a vet should be helpful. It will look like a clouded eye, with a milky tint to it.

It's not a snake chameleons don't have eye caps.

 

[AngieL]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, Female, I've had her for 5 days
Handling - 15-20 max per day (not all at the same time)
Feeding - Large crickets from petco and mealworms, she's eaten neither thus far.
Supplements - Rep-Cal Calcium w/VIT.D3
Watering - Spray 2-4x daily, water "bowl"
Fecal Description -I have not seen any fecal matter thus far
History -

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen, 16" x 16"(dpth) x 20(h)

Lighting - Repti-Glo 26w 5.0 compact w/ some sort of blue bulb (received that from my friend). My friend did have a much smaller UVB bulb when I received Calypso. I read some info online & bought the one I mentioned. I leave the UVB on 10-12 a day, and turn it off but leave the blue light on when I sleep (average of 4-7 hrs). She's near my window with some indirect sunlight.

Temperature - 75F-80F at night & 84F-90F during the day (10-12 hrs)
Humidity - I'm embarrassed- other than my 3 daily sprays of water, I have no other means of humidity. I need to get a drip watering ASAP!
Plants - No live plants, 2 non toxic leaf like "branches" hanging from the sides of the cage, 3 vertical faux branches and a water bowl
Placement - My kitchen, decent amount of traffic.
Location - Florida

Current Problem - Eyes

Hi! I'm glad she seems to be perking up for you now! But there are a few things husbandry wise you may want to consider.

With the handling, unless she comes to you very willingly you should not handle her daily. Also remember that sick chameleons appear more friendly as they simply don't have the energy to fight. Get her healthy again and then see how she feels about it.

Crickets are fine, mealworms should be a treat. You may want to get some roaches or silkworms / hornworms to add a variety. Variety and good gutloading are the keys to a healthy diet. If you type gutload into the search option you will find loads of great ideas.

For the calcium you want PLAIN calcium with no vitamins to use daily, calcium with d3 for twice a month and a multivitamin for twice a month. Too much d3 or multivitamin can cause problems.

I don't know what you mean by water bowl but remove it. Chameleons don't recognise standing water. Mist 4 times a day or more (more to help her eyes) and install a dripper.

Switch the light off at night!!!! This is so important for her to get a good rest. If your friend had been keeping her lights on at night this could contribute to irritated eyes. Buy a normal house bulb for her heat, and keep the lights on 12 hours a day.

The temperature needs to drop at night also so she can slow her system down and relax. So no light or heat at night please.

Also, listen to Eliza! At that age she NEEDS a laying bin, she will lay eggs whether she's mated or not. Here's a link to janns blog, read it, memorise it and you should t run into trouble https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

If you make these changes and her eyes don't improve, take her to the vet. And ad always, feel free to ask any more questions.

 

[Indica]

I would invest in a live plant too. That will not only help you with your humidity but it will also give your cham something to drink off of. It is a lot better to sit there for 2-3 minutes while you are spraying the cage and her to make sure she is drinking. She will start opening her mouth and drinking. Then she will drink the water off the leaves. I wouldn't use a bowl of water or squirt bottle anymore. (I know you were just trying anything to get her to drink and that's great) glad things are starting to look good.

Is there a specific live plant that you'd recommend? I don't believe she's getting anywhere near the humidity she needs either.

 

[Indica]

Hi! I'm glad she seems to be perking up for you now! But there are a few things husbandry wise you may want to consider.

With the handling, unless she comes to you very willingly you should not handle her daily. Also remember that sick chameleons appear more friendly as they simply don't have the energy to fight. Get her healthy again and then see how she feels about it.

Crickets are fine, mealworms should be a treat. You may want to get some roaches or silkworms / hornworms to add a variety. Variety and good gutloading are the keys to a healthy diet. If you type gutload into the search option you will find loads of great ideas.

For the calcium you want PLAIN calcium with no vitamins to use daily, calcium with d3 for twice a month and a multivitamin for twice a month. Too much d3 or multivitamin can cause problems.

I don't know what you mean by water bowl but remove it. Chameleons don't recognise standing water. Mist 4 times a day or more (more to help her eyes) and install a dripper.

Switch the light off at night!!!! This is so important for her to get a good rest. If your friend had been keeping her lights on at night this could contribute to irritated eyes. Buy a normal house bulb for her heat, and keep the lights on 12 hours a day.

The temperature needs to drop at night also so she can slow her system down and relax. So no light or heat at night please.

Also, listen to Eliza! At that age she NEEDS a laying bin, she will lay eggs whether she's mated or not. Here's a link to janns blog, read it, memorise it and you should t run into trouble https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

If you make these changes and her eyes don't improve, take her to the vet. And ad always, feel free to ask any more questions.

WOOOAH! Info overload! But in a really really really good way, thank you so much for that info! I'm definitely going to do this- her lights are turning off right.... NOW. I'm doing this all wrong!!