I think my jacksons cham might be getting sick and need some help

[liamchri]

I have had my male jacksons chameleon since he was 6 months old. He is currently about 1 year of age. Recently I have noticed that he is sleeping for about 4 hours of the day or more. I have also realized that he really does not have much of an appetite and tends to not move more than 1/2 of his cage size.

Alrighty. I have attached pictures of both the cage as well as my cham. I live in Erie County in NY which tends to be pretty dry over the winter season. I purchased him from FL Chams and had him shipped to my home when he was around 6 months old. I feed gut loaded crickets when he eats but sometimes he doesn't eat any and they just run around the cage and I have to take them back out after a day or so. This makes it hard to give him his supplements as he really isn't eating often. I use (HERPTIVITE Multivitamin for reptiles and amphibians) and (Rep-Cal SRP00200 Phosphorous-Free Calcium Ultrafine Powder Reptile/Amphibian Supplement with Vitamin D3) for his supplements. The light I am using is a 18 inch Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 High Output UVB Fluorescent Bulb 15 Watts, as well as a heat light with a hot spot of around 80 degrees and a low of 65-70 through the rest of the cage. At night he has a temperature of around 65-70 degrees through the whole cage. I keep his light on around 13 hours a day roughly from 9am-10pm with small variance. I spray him for about 3-4 times a day for roughly 1 minute on each session. Thinking it could be dehydration I went out and bought a humidifier that you see next to the cage that runs for the time that the lights are on. I also taped garbage bags on two sides of his cage in hopes of keeping some humidity in. I also have the two live plants inside of the cage as well as some fake vines and leaves. The cage is (18" x 18" x 36") in which I have upgraded too from a smaller cage around 2 months ago. The two links to the pictures are as follows:
https://i.imgur.com/EbUxh2r.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LD2EMvz.jpg

I am trying to get as many opinions as possible so thank you for your input.

 

[Chameleophlaged]

First off I am also a new member, but I notice in situations like this, most often you a re told to look at the thread "How to ask for help" by Brad the administrator. You gave a bunch of info, but not the night-time temp of the cage. From the pictures it looks like he might be in a section of the house that is kept warm, they like cool, real cool, even below 60 at night is fine with them, the daytime temps seem within reason, but I'd try cooling things down all over. In any case they need a night temp drop. Another thing I noticed, you mentioned low humidity, along with cool they LOVE humidity and water, longer mistings for sure and nighttime humidity being important, maybe you should use the humidifier at night too, (put it on a timer to go off for a few minutes every hour).

 

[liamchri]

thanks for your help I will do that! I think we do keep the house a little warmer for him actually.... I guess I will try and lower that down! I also changed the night time temp so it is in the post.

Couple things to add. I measure my temp and humidity through two 2 in 1 thermometers. The top of my cage is roughly 5 feet from the floor. I am using Banana live plants.

 

[JacksJill]

One thing I noticed is the 13 hour day may not be significant but 12 hours is the standard most people use to match the length of day at the equator. If they get light overnight especially from a red or blue bulb all night it can interfere with their sleep patterns.
Another possibility is that your lights may not be giving off UVB any longer. Even if they still give off light the UVB may be exhausted.
I can't really judge your supplements with out knowing the amount & frequency. These guys can be sensitive to over supplementing.
When I'm running the heater or AC a lot I cover 3 sides of my cages in plastic. I use clear shower curtain so I can still see them.
This has good info. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

 

[CJ's Exotics]

You need a phosphorous free calcium w/o d3, just to name one change.

 

[liamchri]

Really I thought the D3 was important? Could that be big enough problem to cause an issue?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Really I thought the D3 was important? Could that be big enough problem to cause an issue?

Yes. They need d3, but not every feeding, on average, without taking many factors into consideration, every 2 weeks.

 

[liamchri]

I supplement about 2 to 3 times a week with calcium and about once every 2 weeks with multivitamin. Although as CJ had said the calcium I was using contained D3 which is not supposed to be given that much. What do you suggest? How much should i feed the new calcium without the D3?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I supplement about 2 to 3 times a week with calcium and about once every 2 weeks with multivitamin. Although as CJ had said the calcium I was using contained D3 which is not supposed to be given that much. What do you suggest? How much should i feed the new calcium without the D3?

Where is his enclosure located? Do you take him outside to get natural sunlight, and if so, how often?

 

[liamchri]

The enclosure is located in my living room which is kind of separate from everything else in the house. I have not been able to take him outside because it has been very cold in Western New York. Once it gets warmer in the Spring I was planning on bringing him out.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Before I answer your supplementing question, has he been treated for parasites? I think the xantholophus at FLChams are wild caught.

 

[liamchri]

He has not been treated for parasites at least to my knowledge. I thought that the chams from FLChams were bred which is why I got him from there... I would be upset to figure out they aren't bred because that website already didn't help me out through their customer service when buying him.

 

[JacksJill]

This is the standard Jackson's supplement schedule "Use calcium (without D3 or phosphorus) twice a week, a multivitamin once a month, and calcium with D3 once a month." Try not to dust too heavily. Your feeders shouldn't look like ghosts.
I do things differently. I only use Repashy Lo D, it is a "complete" supplement with a low dose of D3. I use it on about half the feeders very lightly 2-3 times a week. Both schedules seem to work.

 

[leedragon]

D3 once a month, vitamins once a month, vitamin A in oil form once a month. you need a hell of alot more plants. yes you are right when chameleons sleep during the day they are sick.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

He has not been treated for parasites at least to my knowledge. I thought that the chams from FLChams were bred which is why I got him from there... I would be upset to figure out they aren't bred because that website already didn't help me out through their customer service when buying him.

Then why did you buy from them and not ask if he was captive bred? If the customer service was not good, then you shouldn't buy from them.