Help, sick senegal

[DavidJCC]

Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon -* Senegal chameleon, had him for 3 months. I think hes about 15 months (not too sure).
* Handling - Once or twice a week.
* Feeding - Feed 5-6 medium size crickets a day and gutload them on carrot and apple.
* Supplements - Nutrobal cricket dust with D3, once a week.
* Watering - Manually mist 3-4 times a day for about 2 minutes and have a dripper on for about an 1-2 hours a day.
* Fecal Description - Soft brown poop with what looks like normal consistency to it. The colour of his urite as of late has been yellow (which I know means he's dehydrated). He poops every other day which I notice as I spot clean.

Cage Info:

* Cage Type - 24" x 18" x 24" Exo-Terra Glass Terrarium.
* Lighting - 65 watt daylight spot lamp (not sure of the brand). Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Tube Reptile Light. Both are set on a 9AM-9PM timer.
* Temperature - 75-80 degrees basking spot during the day, 65-70 degrees during the night.
* Humidity - Veries between 60-80 during the day. I use an Exo-Terra digital combometer.
* Placement - cage is situated 2 feet off the ground in a low traffic area.
* Location - Manchester, England.

Current Problem - The past week he has developed 2 black spots on either side of his chin and mouth and has become lathargic and keeps closing both his eyes throughout the day. I have booked a vet appointment for tomorrow but I would just check on here as well.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

is that potentionally too hot for a senegal? also like all chameleons, (excluding pigmys), it isnt good to house them in glass, unless like most people who do, your whole front is vented, not just the top and little holes in the front. sorry about your sen dude, good luck with everything.

 

[renzo0684]

is that potentionally too hot for a senegal? also like all chameleons, (excluding pigmys), it isnt good to house them in glass, unless like most people who do, your whole front is vented, not just the top and little holes in the front. sorry about your sen dude, good luck with everything.

That is wrong. People in the UK have had great success with glass terrariums.


You may want to change your suppliment schedule. You want to use a calcium w/o D3 at least 4 times a week and you want to use calcium w/D3 and a multivitamin twice a month.

Do you see your chameleon drink after watering or during? What you should do is spray until you see him take his first drink.

 

[james L]

I care for senegals, it sounds like your housing is fine. You could use Less d3, 2-3 times a mounth at most. Use calcium without about once a week and multivitamin. Also add more to your gutload like kale and a dry cricket gutload. Dont handle him! These guys are usually for of problems, parasites, bactreial infections, you name it. Bring him to a vet asap. Couldnt tell what the spots are. Goodluck.

 

[serenitystarlite]

Is the spot a bruise or is there an infection in his mouth? I know glass is fine to use in the UK, but Senegals seem to be much more susceptible to bacterial infections and seem to do better in screen cages. If you haven't already, gently open his mouth with a q-tip or something and see if you see anything inside.

You could actually raise your temps a bit, especially if he's sick. My basking spot is 85-90 for my Senegal Kami while the rest of the cage is 75-80. Senegals are only imported from Ethiopia, Benin, or Togo and it's in the 90s in those countries

Is he eating normally? Have you tried switching your basking light to a normal household bulb? The basking light may be too bright for him and may be hurting his eyes.

 

[DavidJCC]

Is the spot a bruise or is there an infection in his mouth? I know glass is fine to use in the UK, but Senegals seem to be much more susceptible to bacterial infections and seem to do better in screen cages. If you haven't already, gently open his mouth with a q-tip or something and see if you see anything inside.

You could actually raise your temps a bit, especially if he's sick. My basking spot is 85-90 for my Senegal Kami while the rest of the cage is 75-80. Senegals are only imported from Ethiopia, Benin, or Togo and it's in the 90s in those countries

Is he eating normally? Have you tried switching your basking light to a normal household bulb? The basking light may be too bright for him and may be hurting his eyes.

I'm not sure if it is an infection or bruise but it has moved from around his mouth to his chin (as seen in the picture) and varies in size throughout the day. I will see what the vet says tomorrow. I bought a Flexarium the other day thats bigger than the enclosure he is in now. I am in the process of setting it up. I will also try and up the temperature as well.

Thanks for your help and information.

 

[serenitystarlite]

How is your chameleon doing? What did the vet find?

 

[geordiematt31]

Hi,

My 6 month old Dilepis was closing eyes and very lethargic, vets visits and anti-biotics and there was no change.

I have moved him to a larger enclosure and come to the conclusion that he was too close to his linear UV as it was fitted with a reflector wich was doubling the output of the tube!

I'm not sure on the black spots but maybe the above might help?

Matt