Chameleon seems very weak

[Camothecham]

Hi I'm new to these forums and my chameleon recently fell in his cage and he seems very weak he can't climb on his ficus tree any more and he hasn't been eating food or drinking by water. I put him in a shoe box with the heat lamp because he seems sick and can't climb anymore, also he was very cold germ seems fine right now. Also I was able to give him water through a syringe. Please I need help! Thank you!

 

[Camothecham]

Hi guys so I just got a photo of him if this could help

 

[bobcochran]

You need to fill out the ASK FOR HELP form, be as specific as possible.

 

[Gwendalyn.brock]

The best option would be to make an appointment with the vet in case he gets worse. Until then what you are doing is good and may help to bring his strength up a bit, the only way to be sure that your chameleon is okay is to make an appointment.

 

[Camothecham]

Hey guys sorry for the long wait I'll try to make an appointment thanks!

Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - Jackson Chameleon, Male, Not sure about age seller said he was a sub adult, had him for 6 months
* Handling - Every other week when I clean the cage.
* Feeding - Crickets refuses to eat other insects, tried to offer super worms and rejected them. I gut load the crickets with vegetables suggested in the gut loading section of the forum.
* Supplements - Reptical calcium with d3 and calcium without d3, but I ran out of calcium without d3 so haven't been able to give him that. Reptical herptivite. Dust crickets without d3 at every other feeding and with d3 once a month and herptivite once a month.
* Watering - I manually spray my Cham 3 times a day and a drip system, but he stopped eating and drinking water since last week. Yes I have seen him drink multiple times but not last week. .Fecal Description - Fecal description, his poop was a brown color but his urate was white but changed to an orange color when he stopped drinking. He has not been checked for parasites.
* History- He was wild caught meant to be a captive specimen from what the seller had said.

Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Zoo med repti breeze screen cage. Height 20in length 18in width 18in
* Lighting - Zoo med 13w 5.0 UVB compact fluorescent light, basking bulb 40w daylight blue reptile bulb, I also put on a 12 hour sleep cycle
* Temperature - Basking spot 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, at night 60 decrees Fahrenheit, I use an electronic thermometer
* Humidity - 70-80 percent, I must the cage 3 times a day and I use steam from the shower to achieve humidity, I use an electronic humidity gauge
* Plants - Live plants focus plant.
* Placement - Near window window 4 feet of the floor, I close the blinds so no sun gets in and when the temp gets hot I turn on the ac. He is not near any vents or high traffic areas.
* Location - Los Angeles California.

Current Problem - Seems very weak can't stand on plant any more and on the floor, moved him in a shoe box where I try to offer water and try to regulate his heat because he was very cold and I switched the light bulb, also his eyes were closed.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi there, I'm so sorry that your Cham isn't feeling good. I love Jacksons Chams. They are wonderful creatures. I had one that lived till he was almost 8 years old.
I think at this point your Cham definitely needs a visit to the vet since he can't drink and eat by himself. A veterinarian would be able to diagnose exactly what is wrong and maybe give him a calcium or vitamin injection.
I suspect that one of the main reasons he hasn't been doing well is due to some kind of vitamin deficiency. He definitely needs more variety in feeders.

Also his basking temp is a little low and should be closer to 85-88 degrees. Night temps shouldn't go below 66-68 degrees.
At this point your Cham is an adult and is ready for a larger cage. The bigger the better. A 48" tall screen cage is ideal.

Also if you haven't changed your UVB bulb, especially a compact, it might not be producing enough UVB to aid in the metabolism of calcium which is a main cause of MBD and might be the reason why your Cham is really weak. Bulbs do wear out and it's easy to forget that just because they are producing light, they may no longer be emitting UVB. They should be replaced every 5-6 months. I replace all mine at 5 months.

 

[Camothecham]

Ok thanks I'm trying to get an appointment with a vet near me that specializes in chameleons or would it be ok to take him to a reptile vet? I'm not so sure but thank you so much! how would I transfer my Cham in the car? Do I just put him in the shoe box with something to hold on? Thank you so much!

 

[JaxyGirl]

Ok thanks I'm trying to get an appointment with a vet near me that specializes in chameleons or would it be ok to take him to a reptile vet? I'm not so sure but thank you so much! how would I transfer my Cham in the car? Do I just put him in the shoe box with something to hold on? Thank you so much!

So glad you're taking him to the vet
Yes a shoebox would be great. Put a towel on the bottom so he is comfortable.

 

[Camothecham]

Hey guys so unfortunately my chameleon didn't make it RIP little buddy!

 

[jpowell86]

That's terrible. I hate to hear that. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Camothecham]

Yeah thanks to every body who gave suggestions on what to do thank you so much!

 

[Gwendalyn.brock]

You're welcome for he help. I am sorry that he didn't make it. Sometimes there is no saving them but know that you tried everything you could.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Camothecham, I am so sorry to hear your little guy didn't make it
I know you had all the best intentions to help him

 

[Kingkush]

Sorry he didnt make it