chameleon that wants to eat but cant catch crickets

[winters24]

I have a 1 year veiled chameleon female who has recently lost the ability to use her tongue. Starting yesterday 03/3/13 I noticed that she would go after the crickets I put in her cage but she got very close to them and just opened her mouth stuck out her tongue a little and tried to touch them. Some of them actually got away from her when she tried to do this. This is sooo not my girl, she is very lazy and would never travel after a cricket if her tongue could reach it. I brought her to the vet today. she ruled out stomatits and does not feel she is suffering from a calcium issue she is very strong and lively and drank water today but she is still just mouthing at the crickets. My vet suggested I set up a cup for her with crickets in it to help her catch them. She said she may have a injured tongue that she may not be able to use for life . My veterinarian is very good but I always like second opinions and I am just worried that I might have a husbrandry issue that is creating this problem. any help would be great thanks! here are her housing details:
screen inclosure with three hanging vines and one house plant
zoo med hood with uv light and basking light
usually eats about two dozen crickets every three to four days or so
I use the zoo med little dripper system and I saw her drink water today
I get crickets from the pet store and put them in her cage, three days ago I gave her a few super worms and some calci worms
her last shed was back in december/janurary
I believe she has not layed eggs recently the last time was four months ago
her humidity level currently is: 28%

 

[SaintJimmy]

I have a 1 year veiled chameleon female who has recently lost the ability to use her tongue. Starting yesterday 03/3/13 I noticed that she would go after the crickets I put in her cage but she got very close to them and just opened her mouth stuck out her tongue a little and tried to touch them. Some of them actually got away from her when she tried to do this. This is sooo not my girl, she is very lazy and would never travel after a cricket if her tongue could reach it. I brought her to the vet today. she ruled out stomatits and does not feel she is suffering from a calcium issue she is very strong and lively and drank water today but she is still just mouthing at the crickets. My vet suggested I set up a cup for her with crickets in it to help her catch them. She said she may have a injured tongue that she may not be able to use for life . My veterinarian is very good but I always like second opinions and I am just worried that I might have a husbrandry issue that is creating this problem. any help would be great thanks! here are her housing details:
screen inclosure with three hanging vines and one house plant
zoo med hood with uv light and basking light
usually eats about two dozen crickets every three to four days or so
I use the zoo med little dripper system and I saw her drink water today
I get crickets from the pet store and put them in her cage, three days ago I gave her a few super worms and some calci worms
her last shed was back in december/janurary
I believe she has not layed eggs recently the last time was four months ago
her humidity level currently is: 28%

We would need more information..

1) picture of the chameleon and/or tongue
2) picture of actual set up

And also fill out the how to ask for help form.

It could be anything.. But most likely she is either sick and is too weak to eat or burned the tip of her tongue rendering it useless.

IF she does not eat DO NOT let her struggle. Hand feed her. Put the feeders up to her mouth so she can easily get them from your fingers.

 

[camimom]

Burns on the tongue are not common.

It could be a supplement issue.

So we need to know what you supplement with.

 

[sandrachameleon]

If this happened very suddenly (one day she was using her tongue, the next day not) I think your vet is probably correct. Injury is the usual reason for sudden loss of tongue action. That doesnt mean it will not get better.

more info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/232-tongue-troubles.html

If the tongue shooting got gradually worse over time, that is more likely a husbandry issue.

How do you gutload the crickets? etc