Behavioral or Physical response to drinking water...

[spearsre]

Has anyone ever experienced a panther chameleon who refused to drink on his own even when in good health? I have an 11 month old Sambava male who will not drink from dripping or misting water sources. I have to literally sit there and mist his face with a water bottle and get water into his mouth when he opens it. I installed a misting system last month and all the others appear to enjoy the routine. Doodlebug is the exception. He Stiffins up and closes his eyes and just hates it. I had to administer sub-cue fluids this weekend and just do not know what to do to stimulate the drinking response. This has been ongoing since 6 months old. This is the second panther from this same breeder (unnammed) that I have dealt with this type of behavior. Any thoughts?

 

[merumontanus]

Has anyone ever experienced a panther chameleon who refused to drink on his own even when in good health? I have an 11 month old Sambava male who will not drink from dripping or misting water sources. I have to literally sit there and mist his face with a water bottle and get water into his mouth when he opens it. I installed a misting system last month and all the others appear to enjoy the routine. Doodlebug is the exception. He Stiffins up and closes his eyes and just hates it. I had to administer sub-cue fluids this weekend and just do not know what to do to stimulate the drinking response. This has been ongoing since 6 months old. This is the second panther from this same breeder (unnammed) that I have dealt with this type of behavior. Any thoughts?

What is the duration and frequency of your misting? Does he react similarly when you use warm water? Even my most stubborn jacksonii respond well to warm water after a few minutes of misting.

I would be cautious of applying any force when offering water, as the experience is just going to prolonge his rejection, not to mention the dangers associated with water inhalation.

Good luck,

Fabián

 

[alinder450]

I had the same problem with a jackson's i owned 10 years ago. I think it had something to do with how he was raised before he came to me at 6 months. It was indeed a pain. I tried everything but an automatic mister and none of it worked.

 

[Pure]

I'm guessing his urates have shown you that he is not even drinking when you are not in the room?

 

[Dunnigan]

My female veiled will not drink if she can see anything/anybody. I mist by hand 5 times a day and have a dripper running constantly, she is hydrated now, but its still scary not seeing them drink

 

[chams1]

We have a couple panthers that are and have always been perfectly healthy (and urates normal) and they will not drink except when they are "spoon fed" with a large syringe (dropping it into their mouth). Yes, my chams are extremely spoiled.... We tried everything to get them to drink on their own, but they still prefer to be bottle-fed. Ha ha ha.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Did you contact the breeder to ask how they administer water? There is a lady up here that breeds chameleons that actually waters them through a little bubble water machine in the base of the cage. She was at a local show. Of course, there were several chameleons in the cage, and excrement and urates in the water bubbler. Very odd method. And didn't want to hear anything about it. And, yes, her chameleons have parasites and other health problems. Go figure.

You did get some chams from us, but not Doodlebug. Hopefully the guys you got from us are doing well. Their clutchmates here all drink heartily.

What were the signs of dehydration? The urates, the eyes, or tenting skin, or all 3?

 

[Chamero]

It could be the time of day you are misting. I never had a problem with mine when the water came on 30 mins after his lights went on.

Notice the time next time you see him drink, there may be a pattern.