Cham sleeping during the day/very lethargic

[zyphon7]

So here's the deal I adopted a chameleon (named him neo) when he was about 2 years old (I think) I have had him for about 3 years now (that would make him roughly 5 years old) and just recently (like yesterday) he started sleeping on the bottom during the day. Well this didnt sit well with me and today I got him out, he was pretty cold but still alive and I tried to warm him up (even gave him a warm shower) but he was still very slow and not real sure on his feet (when he moved at all)

He is a male veiled chameleon named Neo

my cage is mostly mesh with a glass pane for the back its a 40 gallon(dont know the dimensions)

Have two lights one for basking and the other for like vitamins im not sure what exactly lights are right now although when i bought them I made sure to ask and research to make sure I got the right bulbs

I have a constantly running fountain in his cage to help with humidity and because they wont naturally drink from still water

I have one plant in there a pothos of some kind and a substrate of coconut shell savings

Have a couple of sticks so he can climb around

I mist his cage when ever i think about it

Feed him mostly crickets, about 5-7 a day (which i buy enough of to last a week, and i dust them every week) although occasionally he gets some treats

all in all this setup worked for fine for 3 years. So suddenly he just started getting bad, if he does die im gonna miss him alot

anyways, any help would be appreciated, I think he might just be getting old but if he is sick and there is some way to save him i will do it

Thanks again for any help provided

P.S. I answered everything I can think of but if there is something I missed that would be helpful please let me know

I should also add that the home he was at before had no idea how to take care of him (the type of people that think cool! a chameleon lets get one of those!)

 

[deadhd5]

There are a couple of problems with the husbandry that could cause sickness that I can see from your description. A picture of your cham would be really helpful too.

1.) You need to change the UVB bulb every 6 months. I am assumning from your description this has not been done. Not doing this can lead to MBD. If he has rounded limbs, this is your problem. (sleeping and chilling at the bottom of the cage are symtoms as well). A picture would suffice to make this diagnosis. I have a sneaking suspiscion this may be the case due to the previous poor care. Also, do you gutload your feeders?

2.) Waterfalls are a no no. Bacteria can breed in there, the cham is likely to poop in there, and if your cham drinks the tainted water he will get sick. This could cause the behavior you describe.

3.) Substrate should be removed. If he eats a bug that is in the substrate it is likely he will also eat some substrate, which could cause impaction. This is probably not the cause of what you are describing though.

Others will chime in as well. A vet visit is also probably in order. I hope everything works out and keep us updated on his progress. Good luck!

 

[jannb]

I would recommend a good chameleon vet ASAP. At his age it could be a health issue. I have a 5 year old veiled and he has had some health issues lately.

 

[Kate]

I agree a vets visit is in order. You say you dust crickets once a week. What with? You mist him when you remember. How often is that? What are his basking temps? Could you fill in the form which will give us the info we need to help you?https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[zyphon7]

There are a couple of problems with the husbandry that could cause sickness that I can see from your description. A picture of your cham would be really helpful too.

1.) You need to change the UVB bulb every 6 months. I am assumning from your description this has not been done. Not doing this can lead to MBD. If he has rounded limbs, this is your problem. (sleeping and chilling at the bottom of the cage are symtoms as well). A picture would suffice to make this diagnosis. I have a sneaking suspiscion this may be the case due to the previous poor care. Also, do you gutload your feeders?

2.) Waterfalls are a no no. Bacteria can breed in there, the cham is likely to poop in there, and if your cham drinks the tainted water he will get sick. This could cause the behavior you describe.

3.) Substrate should be removed. If he eats a bug that is in the substrate it is likely he will also eat some substrate, which could cause impaction. This is probably not the cause of what you are describing though.

Others will chime in as well. A vet visit is also probably in order. I hope everything works out and keep us updated on his progress. Good luck!

Thanks for the fast reply, i will try and look for a good vet in my area but so far all i have experience from a vet is "yep there is definitely something wrong there, that will be $50, but ill keep looking. Here is a couple pictures of my lizard, the stuff I dust the crickets with the fountain and my substrate. Also right now i put a heat rock in with him and right now he seems to really like it but if that is a bad thing to put in (its just temparary) i will take it out fast. Also What would you suggest on how to give them a drink (cause you said not to use fountains right?) Also I mist him about once a day (is that to little?) Thanks for all the help guys P.S. I will work on getting you more info, also tell me if the photos dont work, im a new at this so if they dont work i will try to repost them

 

[jannb]

I can't see your photos. Here's a link to help you post pictures.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-post-photos-video-3609/

Here's a link where the different members here are recommending their vet. Read each post and don't go into the different links and maybe you can find a vet in your area.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/

 

[zyphon7]

I can't see your photos. Here's a link to help you post pictures.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-post-photos-video-3609/

Here's a link where the different members here are recommending their vet. Read each post and don't go into the different links and maybe you can find a vet in your area.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/

Thanks for all of your help, im thinking it might be the fountain and I would like to know how you guys water your chameleons...Thanks a bunch!

 

[jannb]

I'm not familiar with any of the things you are using. I water my chams via dripper and misting. Here's my blog as to how I keep veileds and panthers.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[deadhd5]

Well his arms and legs are nice and straight so it doesn't appear to be mbd. He looks a little dehydrated so getting him to drink is a high priority right behind finding a good reptile vet.

The best advice is to follow the guidance in Janb's blog she linked and get him to a vet. Since he is older there could be a variety of issues. Good luck to you and Neo

 

[zyphon7]

Well his arms and legs are nice and straight so it doesn't appear to be mbd. He looks a little dehydrated so getting him to drink is a high priority right behind finding a good reptile vet.

The best advice is to follow the guidance in Janb's blog she linked and get him to a vet. Since he is older there could be a variety of issues. Good luck to you and Neo

Thank you guys for all your help, I found a vet that is "supposed" to be an exotic animals vet (couldnt find a specific skills vet) so I may try to get him to that. If everything fails tho I at least know he had a good home

 

[deadhd5]

5 years is almost twice the average lifespan in the wild.. So you were definitely doing right by him

Hope the vet can help!

 

[zyphon7]

Vet

Thank you guys for all your help, I found a vet that is "supposed" to be an exotic animals vet (couldnt find a specific skills vet) so I may try to get him to that. If everything fails tho I at least know he had a good home

Today im taking Neo to the vet so if anybody is still paying attention ill let you now what they say.

 

[jannb]

I hope all goes well at the vets for Neo. I'm sitting here holding my 5 1/2 year old Luie as I type this. I hope you found a good cham vet? I'll be checking in for your update.

 

[ChameleonMom]

So how did Neo's vet visit go? Please keep us updated.

 

[zyphon7]

I took him to the vet and they said we had 2 options. The 1st was to uthenize him and the other choice was to try and give him antibiotics (she said he only had a 20 to 30% chance of living) Well obviously I took the antibiotics. The vet gave it to him the first time and then we took him home. Not long after that when I was getting ready to force feed him I discovered him dead. Thats why I havent replied yet (it was heartbreaking). It was really sad to see him go but im glad he didnt suffer, Thanks for trying

 

[jannb]

This is so very sad. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Oh no...poor Neo, poor you. Sorry for your loss.