Cham drank a lot of water and vomited it up

[Gabrinthei]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Panther chameleon, 9 months old, just got him from a friend that moved away
Handling - This is a pretty rare chameleon that loves to be handled a couple times every day
Feeding - Mostly crickets, I make sure to keep plenty of food for them before I release them in his tank
Supplements - Reptivita
Watering - Hurricane misting system, drip water
History - He had a toe amputated about 4 months ago before our friend got him

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Glass tank, about 4ft long, 1.5ft wide, and 3ft tall
Lighting - spot heat/uvb, not sure of brand, and natural light right next to window (never direct sunlight)
Temperature - 85-90 basking, 75-80 everywhere else
Humidity - 60-70%
Plants - None
Placement - Next to window close to house entrance
Location - Montana

Current Problem - So we just got this little guy a couple weeks ago, from some friends that had to move. They've had him for about 4 months prior.

Yesterday, I put him into his big tank (he's been in a smaller tank for easier moving) and gave him his water (he only drinks from the dripper if you give it to him). The issue is, he just kept drinking, so much that water and slime started dripping from his mouth. I saw that and stopped giving him water, but about 5 minutes after, he vomited all the water and a big ball of slime up.

He seems okay now, and I'm guessing that he's dehydrated. He's been with my SO for the past 2 weeks and she said he never wanted to drink for her. So I've been giving him about 4-5 drops of water ever half hour when I'm home, just so he doesn't overdo it and vomit any more up. He seems to be keeping it down now. I just wanted to get some second opinions and see if anyone else might know what it might be?

Thanks!

 

[Carlton]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Panther chameleon, 9 months old, just got him from a friend that moved away
Handling - This is a pretty rare chameleon that loves to be handled a couple times every day
Feeding - Mostly crickets, I make sure to keep plenty of food for them before I release them in his tank
Supplements - Reptivita
Watering - Hurricane misting system, drip water
History - He had a toe amputated about 4 months ago before our friend got him

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Glass tank, about 4ft long, 1.5ft wide, and 3ft tall
Lighting - spot heat/uvb, not sure of brand, and natural light right next to window (never direct sunlight)
Temperature - 85-90 basking, 75-80 everywhere else
Humidity - 60-70%
Plants - None
Placement - Next to window close to house entrance
Location - Montana

Current Problem - So we just got this little guy a couple weeks ago, from some friends that had to move. They've had him for about 4 months prior.

Yesterday, I put him into his big tank (he's been in a smaller tank for easier moving) and gave him his water (he only drinks from the dripper if you give it to him). The issue is, he just kept drinking, so much that water and slime started dripping from his mouth. I saw that and stopped giving him water, but about 5 minutes after, he vomited all the water and a big ball of slime up.

He seems okay now, and I'm guessing that he's dehydrated. He's been with my SO for the past 2 weeks and she said he never wanted to drink for her. So I've been giving him about 4-5 drops of water ever half hour when I'm home, just so he doesn't overdo it and vomit any more up. He seems to be keeping it down now. I just wanted to get some second opinions and see if anyone else might know what it might be?

Thanks!

Chams have fairly small stomachs for their size, and there isn't a sphincter muscle between their esophagus and the stomach. If they get too much water all at once it can back up into their throat and be coughed up as you saw. I think you are doing the right thing by giving him less water more often. It will be easier for him to absorb, as it takes a while for them to get re-hydrated. I think once he gets more stable he'll be fine. Also make sure his cage isn't drying out too much too fast. That can prolong dehydration too.

 

[Gabrinthei]

Awesome, thank you for the reassurance! I'm setting up his automatic mister tonight to make sure his humidity stays consistent.

 

[JoeVet]

You may want to check out the https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/. Glass aquaria are not good for chameleons. A screen cage is generally recommended. Plain calcium should be your main supplement with twice a month calcium with Vitamin D3 and twice a month with a multivitamin. Gut loading your feeder insects is important.

 

[reptileguy112]

You only supplement reptivite? You need to do Calcium every feeding, calcium with D3 about once a week and then multivitamin (reptivite) once a week.

 

[reptileguy112]

Also if you can, on put the tank on its side (so its taller than long) and peal off the silicon on the top panel then put some chicken wire (metal mesh) from home depot on it. They require ventilation. Can we see a picture of the setup?

 

[Carlton]

You only supplement reptivite? You need to do Calcium every feeding, calcium with D3 about once a week and then multivitamin (reptivite) once a week.

I think you meant calcium every two weeks and multivitamin every two weeks right? That's the proper schedule.

 

[reptileguy112]

I think you meant calcium every two weeks and multivitamin every two weeks right? That's the proper schedule.

Sorry, meant to say every two weeks for the D3 and reptivite. But no, I did mean to say calcium every feeding