HELP!

[Skamar70]

Hi so I got a chameleon like around late december 2015 and Im am very new to this! I noticed that when I first got him he started breathing through his mouth which i know isn't good. Ive been trying my best to keep him happy and hydrated. He does live in like a fish tank type of place. He looks normal and is very active when he is being held. I went to feed him this afternoon and he was on his stomach and his eyes were closed. I placed the crickets in to feed him but he was just not eating. Im not really sure what to do since there aren't any vets that specialize with exotic animals near me so I would appreciate any info!
Thanks!

 

[Skamar70]

This is how I have him set up

 

[Skamar70]

He's been like this all day

 

[AlienCreeper]

He's going to get that bark in his mouth whenever he eats a cricket if he hasn't already, an aquarium is a terrible enclosure for a veiled. Vertical climbing space is needed, along with plenty of fresh moving air. That aquarium is going to harbor all kinds of bacteria resulting in all kinds of detrimental health effects. Fill out this formhttp://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/ providing us with information on your husbandry and we can help you make the changes you need to make to keep your cham healthy.

 

[Lathis]

First, it's good you found the forum. There are a lot of items that need correction in your setup. Here are the links to caring for chameleons in general and caring for Veileds specifically:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Do you have a UV light? What is your supplement schedule?

Eyes closed is usually a sign of illness or other issues. Where are you located? Maybe we can help you find a vet.

If you fill out this form, be as detailed as possible, we can help you get your setup corrected to help him be healthy.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

 

[MelissaB]

Poor guy does not look like he feels good at all. A fish tank doesn't make a good cage for a chameleon, because it makes it hard to get the temperature gradient and humidity right. Also, wood chips are bad, because a chameleon can accidentally or purposely eat them, and become blocked and die.

The way your guy's eyes are sunk in, he's either sick or dehydrated or both. I'd fill out the how to ask for help questionnaire to help people help you. And probably make a vet appointment.

Here is the forum's cares heet for veileds, lots of good info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/

Here's the how to ask for help sticky:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

 

[kinyonga]

What are those wood choose made out of? Is he pooping?

Is the lid to the cage screen?

Please answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum so we can help you better. Be specific about what supplements you use and how often for each and include what you are feeding / gutloading the insects with.

From the sound of it he's very sick and you need to figure it out ASAP.

 

[Skamar70]

He's pooping normally and I feed him crickets in the morning around 8. Would it help if I changed the cage vertically? And he also does have a screen as a lid

 

[BayChams]

If you change the cage vertically, it may stress your cham, which is not good for him when he is in this condition. I would make sure that he is feeling better before changing the cage. Though I would get rid of the wood chips...

 

[kinyonga]

What wood are the chips made of?

 

[MSMorgan]

As the above members have indicated, your veiled appears to be in dire straights. Please follow the advice above and hopefully one of the senior members will be able to pin point a vet in your location tonight. With some luck, you've found us in the nick of time.

 

[jcarlsen]

He's pooping normally and I feed him crickets in the morning around 8. Would it help if I changed the cage vertically? And he also does have a screen as a lid

Get your Cham to a vet first and then focus on getting the proper enclosure for him. He needs a much larger enclosure that has vertical space and a clean bottom. You'll likely want a screen reptibreeze enclosure.

Please refer to the care sheets section and get the supplies you need.

 

[Bleu]

Chameleons do better in tall screen cages. They need maximum airflow. Get ride of the bark, it does no good to keep it in there. It can just cause more harm.