Incomplete shed veiled Cham

WesOakley

New Member
Hello all,

About a 2 months ago I adopted a veiled Cham that needed rehoming.

he started shedding about 2 weeks ago now but it was not a full shed and there is still dead left on his body.

When I collected him the previous told me he was aggressive (to be expected) but then sprayed him directly with a jet of water and said quote “I do this to get him out as it’s calms him down”. I was speechless.

i am worried this may have affected him in some way as his scales are ‘clumpy’ around the are that didn’t shed.

I have attached photos of him

husbandry(UK)
He is in a wooden vivexotic vivarium, I have added fans to aid in ventilation.
Basking spot is 90 with lows of 70.
I mist when the lights go out and just before they come on. Humidity is always at 60-70 before the lights come on but I let it dry out through the day.
He has a dripper on all day
Poop all normal to say the least, although just recently had a poo with a white urate and then long orange poop (photo graphed)
he eats very well. Calcium on every feed and has had reptivite 4 times since I have had him.

I’m stressing. Some profession advice would be really helpful.
 

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Last edited:
Hello all,

About a month ago I adopted a veiled Cham that needed rehoming.

he started shedding about 2 weeks ago now but it was not a full shed and there is still dead left on his body.

When I collected him the previous told me he was aggressive (to be expected) but then sprayed him directly with a jet of water and said quote “I do this to get him out as it’s calms him down”. I was speechless.

i am worried this may have affected him in some way as his scales are ‘clumpy’ around the are that didn’t shed.

I have attached photos of him

husbandry(UK)
He is in a wooden vivexotic vivarium, I have added fans to aid in ventilation.
Basking spot is 90 with lows of 70.
I mist when the lights go out and just before they come on. Humidity is always at 60-70 before the lights come on but I let it dry out through the day.
He has a dripper on all day
Poop all normal to say the least, although just recently had a poo with a white urate and then long orange poop (photo graphed)
he eats very well. Calcium on every feed and has had reptivite 3 times since I have had him.

I’m stressing. Some profession advice would be really helpful.
You can add the Arcadia Shed Support to help him shed a little quicker. I‘m guessing the injury to his casque is from his previous owner? Sadly, I get why he’s aggressive, seeing as how his old owner treated him. The basking temp is too hot, it should be 85*F as the max, preferably a little lower (it should be measured with a digital thermometer with a probe, the probe placed where his casque/top of his back is when he’s on his basking branch). What are your exact supplements? Is the Zoo Med Reptivite with or without D3? It should be a quality phosphorus-free calcium without D3 on every feeding and either the Zoo Med Reptivite with D3 once every two weeks or a quality phosphorus-free calcium with D3 once every two weeks and the Zoo Med Reptivite without D3 once every two weeks, depending on which type of Reptivite you have. I would remove the moss and Exo Terra vines, they can cause health issues and it looks like the moss vines are growing mold (unless that’s supplement?). Is there any way you can cut the top off of the vivarium and add an aluminum screen top for better ventilation and safer lights placements? Are there any air intake vents or anything else like that near the bottom of the enclosure? I would take him to an experienced chameleon vet for a parasite check (bring a fresh fecal sample with you) and bloodwork and x-rays, since he is big enough to safely get bloodwork done and since his previous owner didn’t take the best care of him. Make sure to drop off at least 2 more fresh fecal samples afterwards to make sure no parasites were missed. If you want to fill out this form to make sure everything else is in tip-top shape, that’d be great! Make sure to give as much detail as possible and include pics of his lights and his full enclosure (lights to bottom):

Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
  • Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
  • Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:
  1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
  2. Photos can be very helpful.

Here are some great links and charts if you haven’t seen them already (make sure to read through every module and the veiled species profile, as well as listening to as many podcasts as possible, from The Chameleon Academy, as they have the most accurate and up-to-date info!):
https://www.chameleons.info/en/
http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/external-resources/
https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/
 

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You can add the Arcadia Shed Support to help him shed a little quicker. I‘m guessing the injury to his casque is from his previous owner? Sadly, I get why he’s aggressive, seeing as how his old owner treated him. The basking temp is too hot, it should be 85*F as the max, preferably a little lower (it should be measured with a digital thermometer with a probe, the probe placed where his casque/top of his back is when he’s on his basking branch). What are your exact supplements? Is the Zoo Med Reptivite with or without D3? It should be a quality phosphorus-free calcium without D3 on every feeding and either the Zoo Med Reptivite with D3 once every two weeks or a quality phosphorus-free calcium with D3 once every two weeks and the Zoo Med Reptivite without D3 once every two weeks, depending on which type of Reptivite you have. I would remove the moss and Exo Terra vines, they can cause health issues and it looks like the moss vines are growing mold (unless that’s supplement?). Is there any way you can cut the top off of the vivarium and add an aluminum screen top for better ventilation and safer lights placements? Are there any air intake vents or anything else like that near the bottom of the enclosure? I would take him to an experienced chameleon vet for a parasite check (bring a fresh fecal sample with you) and bloodwork and x-rays, since he is big enough to safely get bloodwork done and since his previous owner didn’t take the best care of him. Make sure to drop off at least 2 more fresh fecal samples afterwards to make sure no parasites were missed. If you want to fill out this form to make sure everything else is in tip-top shape, that’d be great! Make sure to give as much detail as possible and include pics of his lights and his full enclosure (lights to bottom):

Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
  • Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
  • History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
  • Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
  • Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
  • Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:
  1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
  2. Photos can be very helpful.

Here are some great links and charts if you haven’t seen them already (make sure to read through every module and the veiled species profile, as well as listening to as many podcasts as possible, from The Chameleon Academy, as they have the most accurate and up-to-date info!):
https://www.chameleons.info/en/
http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/external-resources/
https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/
Thank you for your reply.

Yes unfortunately the poor guy wasn’t in the best of care. There are flow vents yes with added input fan at the base and an extraction one at the top. However this won’t be his home for long, I’m currently building larger screen enclosure.

I will turn his temp down for sure.

I wasn’t aware that the exoterra vines caused problems but yes okay I will remove those. The white stuff on them is supplement.

these are the two supplements I use.

5E3841F3-8E44-4701-B310-D2F7ECAD6A83.jpeg


Noted on getting him to a vet! I will find one with experience like you said. Could be quite tough with our current lockdown here in the UK but will do my best.

Thank you
 
Thank you for your reply.

Yes unfortunately the poor guy wasn’t in the best of care. There are flow vents yes with added input fan at the base and an extraction one at the top. However this won’t be his home for long, I’m currently building larger screen enclosure.

I will turn his temp down for sure.

I wasn’t aware that the exoterra vines caused problems but yes okay I will remove those. The white stuff on them is supplement.

these are the two supplements I use.

View attachment 291956

Noted on getting him to a vet! I will find one with experience like you said. Could be quite tough with our current lockdown here in the UK but will do my best.

Thank you
Great! So with those supplements, use the calcium every feeding and the Reptivite once every two weeks!
 
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