Is My Chameleon Old? Loosing Weight?

[EmmaChams]

I've had my Panther Chameleon for about 5 years, heard life span is roughly 6 years so a little worried about mine. The issue started around before Christmas, November time, his fat pads had gone down ALOT and wasn't eating as much as he was but is drinking fine.

He was eating either 2 adult locusts every other day or 3 large dubia roaches every other day. This went down to 1 large locust or 1 large dubia every other day. Now he refuses dubia and turns his nose up to his locusts.

Only thing he'll take now is wax worms, he took 3 off me today but think is still not enough to eat. Should I keep giving him wax worms to get his fat pads back or not.

Here is my set up.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Male panther chameleon, had him since he was about 6 months old, he's around 5 years old.

Handling - Rarely

Feeding - Read above for amount. Gut loading with repashy superfoods, squash and kale.

Supplements - Use Repashy calcium plus everyday.

Watering - Spray bottle twice a day for 10 minutes, see chameleon drink.

Fecal Description - Normal, brown with white urate. Not tested for parasites

History - No history

Cage Info:

Cage Type - XL large screen cage

Lighting - exo terra 5.0 uvb strip light (replaced today) and 60 watt heat lamp. Lights go at 10AM and go off at 10PM.

Temperature - 85F

Lowest overnight temp? 75F, digital thermometer.

Humidity - Around 65, spray extra if needed.

maintaining these levels? Digital humidity gauge.

Plants - All fake

Placement - In the lounge away from TV, low traffic as not many people live here.

Location - UK

Current Problem - Loosing weight and not eating alot.

Picture taken today:

http://img9.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/18907/1890710979a4968dd195b640cbdadd0cabfc1864.jpg

http://img0.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/18907/189071106e8250d8cfed8d7e87bf837812dabdc4.jpg

 

[EmmaChams]

39 views and no responses?

 

[Kate]

My boy slows down over the winter and it is worrying. I read you don't handle him much. I wonder whether you could weigh him weekly. Have you tried crickets? Chams can become addicted to waxworms. Could you try calci worms or even better silkworms. How long have you used Repeshey calcium+? Many here use it successfully but some have had issues due to d3 toxicity. I used the three supplement method but because Popeye slows down his eating over winter I switched to Repeshey LoD and feel more comfortable with it.

 

[ridgebax1]

Congratulations on keeping a healthy cham for 5 years! I am sorry you have gotten only one has response, but her advice seems to make sense. I do not have a lot of experiences with older chams, my guys are both young. The only concern I would have is the calcium with D3. Too much can cause problems and the supplement advice by the previous poster is good. Also do try to get the phoenix, silk or horn worms. There are several places online that sell them but I don't know if you will run into problems with shipping. Butterworms are another good option. Wax, meal and super worms are kind of like the McDonald's fries of the bug world. Good luck with your boy and I am sure others will chime in.

 

[Kate]

Congratulations on keeping a healthy cham for 5 years! I am sorry you have gotten only one has response, but her advice seems to make sense. I do not have a lot of experiences with older chams, my guys are both young. The only concern I would have is the calcium with D3. Too much can cause problems and the supplement advice by the previous poster is good. Also do try to get the phoenix, silk or horn worms. There are several places online that sell them but I don't know if you will run into problems with shipping. Butterworms are another good option. Wax, meal and super worms are kind of like the McDonald's fries of the bug world. Good luck with your boy and I am sure others will chime in.

No hornworms in UK. Phoenix worms are the same as calciworms. Butterworms are good but my boy won't touch them.

 

[EmmaChams]

My boy slows down over the winter and it is worrying. I read you don't handle him much. I wonder whether you could weigh him weekly. Have you tried crickets? Chams can become addicted to waxworms. Could you try calci worms or even better silkworms. How long have you used Repeshey calcium+? Many here use it successfully but some have had issues due to d3 toxicity. I used the three supplement method but because Popeye slows down his eating over winter I switched to Repeshey LoD and feel more comfortable with it.

Hi sorry for not replying. I weighed him today and after FINALLY staying still, his weight showed 134 grams. Bought some medium silkworms 2 days ago and today has been better, he ate 2 large dubia roaches and 1 silkworm


Been using calcium plus since I first got him, use it with my veiled and no issues.

 

[jannb]

At 4 to 5 years old they can and often do get health issues just like we do when we get old. I would recommend a good check up by a reputable reptile vet that know chameleons. It would be a good time for bloodwork and some x-rays.