Carpet chameleon very unwell, please help

[lisabean]

I purchased a wild caught carpet chameleon at a reptile show about a month ago. A few days ago, she began to shed, which from what I've heard means she will not eat as much. However, Bagheera has not eaten AT ALL for the last week and this is highly concerning, since she's so small. Additionally, while I keep her cage extremely humid and she used to have no problem drinking, she is now in a state of pretty serious dehydration (sunken eyes, yellowy urate) and must be forced to drink via syringe. I've tried the showering method but she doesn't drink during those sessions either. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with her??

The selling assistant couldn't give me an approximate age but she looks to be full grown in length from what I've researched. When I first brought her home she was eating twelve medium-sized gut-loaded crickets in one sitting, and I was feeding her twice a week. She has an 18 by 18 by 24 in mesh cage, a ficus, another leafy non-toxic plant, and two sanitized sticks to climb on. I leave her mister on almost all day, her cage is constantly very humid. Additionally, I have a dripper system, also full all day, and allowing for easy access to water. She has a UV light and a heat lamp positioned far enough away so that she doesn't overheat.

 

[fluxlizard]

Hard to say but here are a few facts that *might* give some insight-

1- female carpet chameleons have a very short wild lifespan. Less than 18 months. Often much less. They mature quickly, lay lots of eggs in a short time, and pass on.

2- Adult wild carpet chameleons usually have a significant parasite load and need to be treated for parasites after purchase. Usually involves a good vet with an interest in such things.

3- Adult female wild carpet chameleons are usually at some stage of producing eggs.

4- Carpet chameleons that are gravid can be difficult layers. Wild caughts moreso.

Does she look like she's swallowed some jelly beans by any chance?

 

[lisabean]

As far as I can tell she isn't gravid, no jelly-bean-like swelling in her stomach. I had no idea their lifespan in the wild was so short! This is concerning especially with no way of knowing how old she is.

I took her to the vet on Friday, and she didn't mention anything about Bagheera being gravid. Then again this vet doesn't deal with chameleons often. What can I do to help if she is in fact gravid?

So far force-feeding has been unsuccessful. She refuses to chew/swallow any crickets we manage to get in her mouth, and puts up a fight in spite of her dehydration. I'm planning on taking a fecal sample in to check for parasites but she hasn't pooped lately, as she hasn't been eating.

She's only been in this state for about a week, so I am by no means ready to give up on her. But with chameleons this small (I owned a peacock chameleon before who had a similar problem after three years) I don't know what to do.

 

[Lidee]

I don't know how much this helps, but my vet has successfully brought one of my dehydrated gravid female panthers back into good condition by giving her an infusion. She used 1:1ratio 0.9%saline:ringer solution, and gave it as a subdermal bolus injection into the hind legs, the thigh area. About 1ml per leg (depends on the size of your cham).
Maybe you could suggest it to your vet if they're not so familiar with chams.
Do our Vet moderators use the same methods, does anyone know?