Just bought a cham to save his life....need help.

Ocelot357

Ocelot357

New Member
I bought a jackson at an outdoor swapmeet yesterday for $40, i thought it was cheap, so i went for it.It was obvious to me that the swapmeet people didnt really have him in the best care, but it didnt look too bad.They had him in a cage with about 3 other chams and one veiled, no lights no dripper...nothing just like that.I felt sorry for the fella so i decided to buy him even though i kinda new somethin might be wrong with him.I just wanted to end his suffering.Before anything, he is in the same cage with my rudis, but it is a big cage.I am sure i have the proper lighting since i've had the rudis for about a year and a half, he's doing perfect.I do know jackson's prefer cooler temps, and that's what he has right now.

Noticed problems...

1.He had a pretty bad scratch on his tail (Hope this clears up after a while)
2.He has his eyes closed sometimes during the day
3.Missing toe nails
4.Grip on my hands isnt as strong as the grip of my rudis.

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The missing toe nails are gone forever and for the scratch take him to the vet and the closing of the eyes could be due to the previous owner having to strong of a uv light on his enclosure.
 
Thats not a Jackson's, its a Cameroon Two-horned Chameleon. I dont think i hvae ever seen them as CB, i havent looked tho, so there is a chance it could be WC. I would seperate it from your other chameleon for a few reasons.

1) Parasites.
2) Stress
3) If it is WC then it needs to acclimate and it will not do so if it is housed with another chameleon of a different species.
 
Awww poor little guy

Well done you, and good luck trying to bring him back to health!

Please keep us updated
 
Yeap, you have a nice montium there. They are mountain chameleons as well, but definetly don't put him (or any chameleons) together with your rudis. Specially as stated on the previous post. It's better to quarintine before all your new chams. They are from cool temps and high humidity.

From AdCham:

100% humidity is required for this species as well as constant daytime hydration by humidifier, drip, and/or spray/mist. Daytime temperatures should be approximately 75ºF with a basking area of around 85ºF, and as high as 90ºF, and no more than a 20 degree drop at night. Individual caging should be maintained, with cages densely planted and well lit with fresh UV bulbs.

Keep an eye on that tail, so it doesn't get infected, seems to me like a burn. He will definetly benefit from having privacy. They are very shy and easy get stressed. I am surprised he has been able to handle all that stress (the tail and the nails) so this means you have a good chance to bringing back, he looks like a fighter to me. It is important to get him stable, so check if he eats and drinks water. Check his stools, this will tell you howm much is he eating and drinking, and if he has any parasites.

I hope it helps.
 
It makes me so mad:mad: that people can neglect animals and get away with it Scott free,glad someone like you with a good heart rescued him(I'd have done the same)i am sure he was and will be a great looking cham again with your care and attention....Good luck with him and keep us posted
 
I would get him set up in his own cage with as sick as your Montium is looking.

You want to do as reading as you can on Montiums. They are a super cool little species. Maybe send Chamelisa a PM.. I know she works with them.

The most important thing with him right now... WATER WATER WATER!!! Get that boy hydrated.

~Joe
 
I've bought up chams to rescue and when its all said and done if they make it, its such a good feeling.

Thanks for having your heart in the right place
 
NO HEAT!!!!!!!!

Keep him at a comfortable 75-85. A small basking area of 85 to 90 degrees
is fine, but the rest of the cage should vary between 72-85.

Humidity is paramount, and Trioceros montium like plenty of foliage to hide behind.

They are a beautiful chameleon, in fact, one of my favorites.

Do not supplement too much, many montane species are sensitive to over supplementing.

Once a week to 10 days with calcium, and once a month with multi-vitamin.

Goodluck!

If there is on important thing to remember, is that heat will kill him.
 
chamelisa said:
Do not give the montium a hot shower!!! It's in the 100s here in southern California. Give plenty of COOL misting and protect from the heat.
Click to expand...

Word, no they dont even like warm water? I have never dealt with montium before.

Listen to the people with experience! Cool shower!!!

:)
 
To add/reiterate what everyone has already suggested...

1. Get him his own cage as soon as possible. It is not acceptable at all to mix species in the same cage.
2. They like it cool and wet. Spray him down multiple times per day with room temperature water. I'm assuming your average room temp is around ~75-78.
4. From the looks of the cage, there is a group of crickets in the corner. I would hold off on offering so much food. Allow two or three crickets to roam the cage, but a mass of bugs can spook the cham and stress him enough to not eat.
3. By the looks of it, he is most definitely WC. Have a fecal done to identify any parasites and treat accordingly.

This is by no means an easy project on your part, but if you follow the suggestions from fellow members you can save his life and you can feel the wonders of what it is to rehab an ailing animal.

Luis
 
You might be introducing your rudis to parasites by keeping them together. You should really get them seperated ASAP. You live in the same city as ALOT of local keepers, if you need help you shouldn't be afraid to appeal for it.

Good luck.
 
As Joe said water is at the moment the most important thing for him and natural sunshine as well.
This guy don't need 100% humidity, it will kill him. Such a high humidity is perfect for fungizids and will cause maybe Pseudomonas problems.
He's definitly not a CB one. They are not so easy to raise from eggs to adults, for this everything need to be perfect, but here's nothing perfect
 
Ok.....I separated him.He is now in his own cage.Thanks a lot to all of you!!!!!.

Hope the little dude makes it.He's sleeping a lot right now,Im also making sure i keep it humid and cool in there.It looks like he is recovering slowly.

Thanks!...
 
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