Does my Cham need to see a vet?

Sarabeth71

Sarabeth71

Member
Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - Male Ambilobe named Marshal Mittens, almost 2 years old.
  • Handling - Hardly ever since it seems to stress him out. Maybe once a month but probably not even that.
  • Feeding - Usually gut loaded crickets dusted in calcium w/o D3, but supplemented with occasional super worms, horned worms, and Dubai roaches. I use a multivitamin once a month and Calcium with D3 once a month
  • Watering - Misting system that sprays for 15 min. every hour, plus additional mistings when I'm home.
  • Fecal Description - It isn't really happening. His last poop was about a week ago and looked normal to me and the one before that was over a month ago.
  • History - I bought him online when he was three months old and he is now almost two years old. He was a happy guy until the last few months. Now he is hardly pooping, has a decreased appetite, and is "gross" colors almost all of the time.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Screen cage, 24" x 24" x 48"
  • Lighting - A basking lamp and a full spectrum UVB light that was just replaced last month. I had set an alarm to tell me when it needed replacing and the alarm never went off so I am worried that he went almost two months without proper lighting. Lights are on for about 11 hours during the day
  • Temperature - Top of cage is 78-82F. Bottom of cage is around 67-70F. Temps drop to around 63F at night.
  • Humidity - 50-65% humidity. It's hard to keep the humidity up where I live since its so cold and dry.
  • Plants - Fake plants & vines.
  • Placement -On top of small table, in the corner of a room to reduce stimulation, not near any doors or windows.
  • Location - Maine
Current problem that I'm dealing with is a long term change in behavior and health. Over the past few months, he has been pooping less and less, becoming more lethargic, sometimes sleeping during the day. He usually stays on the same branch, but every once and a while he will start moving around his cage and becoming more active. I always think that he is doing better until the next day when he is back on his sulky branch. He will also sometimes just lean his chest on the branch and let his feet dangle off which is not a normal behavior for him. His colors are a gross murky color lately. I don't think he is has bended limbs or anything so I'm not sure if it could even be MBD? I am misting his cage all the time so I don't see how he could be dehydrated. I wanted to get a fecal analysis done but he isn't pooping so that makes it mildly more difficult... I just don't know what to do at this point. I'm thinking of taking him to a vet but I have never been to a vet with him before and since I don't handle him often, I'm worried that the stress will do more harm then good. I guess I'm just wondering if it's worth the risk? Or if anyone has any other suggestions as to what could be going on with him?
 
I will suggest raise ur basking spot light temperature to 95 and see if that speed his metabolism back up,cause at 2years old he sure wont eat like a younger cham,and 78-82F is way too cold for a panther male adults,let him warm up so he can start eating n digest his food properly .
 
Your basking temps are a little low, I keep my male panther's basking at 85-90. I am thinking parasites though. Lethargy, digestive issues, all that is symptomatic of a heavy parasite load. I would take him to the vet. My guys always poop on the way to the vet- apparently it scares the s**t out of them! Either way, a good vet will give you some direction. No one knows your guy better than you, trust your feelings!
 
I know that the temps are a little low but I'm not really sure how to raise them at this point... It's just a rather cold time of the year where I am. It gets much warmer in the summer. I can try and get him to a vet this week but I am just not really sure how to transport him and such since its below 40F outside still... I'm just so worried about him getting too stressed out by the travel
 
alphakenc said:
I will suggest raise ur basking spot light temperature to 95 and see if that speed his metabolism back up,cause at 2years old he sure wont eat like a younger cham,and 78-82F is way too cold for a panther male adults,let him warm up so he can start eating n digest his food properly .
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Alphakenc is on the right track I think, but 95F. Is too hot, 88-90F. is the highest you should go. You don't want him to burn himself! Try changing up the prey food to stimulate his appetite. Sometimes Panthers will go into winter mode: slow down the eating and movement, also loose their bright colors. When mine do this it lasts about 4 months.
 
Sarabeth71 said:
I know that the temps are a little low but I'm not really sure how to raise them at this point... It's just a rather cold time of the year where I am. It gets much warmer in the summer. I can try and get him to a vet this week but I am just not really sure how to transport him and such since its below 40F outside still... I'm just so worried about him getting too stressed out by the travel
Click to expand...
Get a higher watt incandescent bulb.
 
Can u find a higher wattage bulbs like 100 and up?
I know on the care sheet say 85-90 but u are all the way up in ice cold maine,thats why i suggested 95 so it can be raise it gradually overall just to kick start his appetite again.if he is eating and pooping again then good,if not,then he might have some upset stomach with problem that needs vet attention .
 
I do change his food quite often. Usually he loves to hunt his prey but lately he will only eat if I hold something right in front of his face. He still eats, but only every few days. I can try to get a higher watt bulb. I can't remember the wattage on the one that I have right now but I think it was the highest one I could get at my local pet store so I might have to try and order one online. I appreciate the feedback!
 
Was that the first time you changed your uvb bulb since you got him at 3 months. I have never heard of an alarm to warn you the light has gone bad. You mean like a reminder on your phone or something? Could you explain that? They can burn for months and months and still be bad because all of the uvb has diminished. The only way I know of determining if the uvb bulb is bad is with a UVB meter. Maybe I am wrong. Also, can you please post a picture of him. It would be helpful to see what he looks like.
 
This is my third bulb since I got him almost two years ago. I had set a reminder in my phone to tell me to change the bulb every 6 months but my phone malfunctioned and I had the bulb in for almost 8 months instead of 6.
 
I will post a picture when I get home but I don't think that will be until tomorrow. Also it should be noted that he is not a fan of having his photo taken so that usually makes him look kind of off anyways
 
A picture worth thousands words...especially in this judge n jury chameleon court and we will be real gentle with ur chamy ,and I know i wont say he is guilty with not eating,only friendly suggestion thats all:)
 
Most places stopped carrying plain incandescent bulbs and are only carrying energy efficient bulbs. Just go buy a basking bulb from a pet shop or offline. They get the job done!
 
Nicholasdeaan said:
Most places stopped carrying plain incandescent bulbs and are only carrying energy efficient bulbs. Just go buy a basking bulb from a pet shop or offline. They get the job done!
Click to expand...
Maybe, but I like to use energy efficient halogen bulbs that you can get at the grocery store.
 
Here is a photo of him from when he woke up, though he does look a little better now. Also I know that his eyes look a little sunken but I don't see how that could be dehydration since I mist so often...
 

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