Just bought a veiled chameleon and he is not eating...

[jenniesullivan]

I just bought a veiled chameleon the other day and he will not eat and his ribs are showing. I have looked through all kinds of sites but am still unsure as to what to trust. I am hoping to get some help as to what to do. He doesn't like to open his eyes that much. What is the best thing I can do and what is the best way to give him vitamins outside of a cricket. I have been force feeding him little crickets but would love to see him eat on his own. Thank you all for your help.

 

[whereswaldo]

How to ask for help

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Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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.


Pictures are helpful

 

[coldbloodedAL]

First, it usually takes a while for a chameleon to get used to there new home( a week or two). Second, please describe and post pics of your enclosure and of your chameleon. Third, the fact that is no opening his eyes means something is wrong. We can help you out with a little more info, but we need you to fill out the " how to ask for help form". Could someone please post it, i am on my phone atm.

 

[whereswaldo]

to help youu fill this out as best you can be honest its the only way to correct the wrong things. sleeping and force feeding dont sound good at all hope ive helped a little more knoledgable people will be by soon for input.

 

[HUNYANGOAKO]

How to ask for help
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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.


Pictures are helpful

 

[K9Luvn]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.
If you could please copy and paste, then answer the questions to the first response "How To Ask For Help" ... members will be able to help you.

We have many very knowledgeable people that have years of experience in caring for Chameleons that will be able to answer everything to help you with your new Chameleon.

 

[kelsxox]

Fill out the form , im sure someones gonna send you one , i would but i'm on my phone ..

DONT FORCE FEED! If he eats from your hand thats alright, but dont shove it down his throat.. Always trust chmeleon forums cause they know what their talking about ! .. Closed eyes during the day is a sign of illness, what kind, type, size , wattage bulbs do yu have on him & what squedule are they set for ? He is most likely not eating because it takes them a couple of days to get used to the habitat, mine did the same n came around .. Make sure you gutload (feed your crickets) nutrisious foods that will eventually be in your chameleon so its important .. Also, You NEED supplements , go to where ever you got him or even a pet store that supplies supplents & get multi vitamin supplements, calcium woth d3 and calcium without d3 .. Theese are very important .. You NEED to give him theese so he'll be healthy , calcium without d3 everyday , calcium d3 ONCE every two weeks , and multi vitamins once every 2 weeks .. ( keep track on a calender ) .. You dust you.crickets with theese so that means yu put your amount a crickets in the bag, put your supplements (DUST LIGHTLY NOT CRAZY SUPER HEAVY) and shake your bag all up then put them in his cage.. I hope you have a uvb bulb also because that prevent from metabolic bone disease, if you dont have one he will get it , amd it is a very scary thing especially for people new to chameleons .. We are all here to help , but you have.to listen ! Welcoe to.forums

 

[whereswaldo]

have you gotten around to him yet im worried if you dont get help soon its going to have a sad end.