Lethargic Chameleon :(

kaorte

kaorte

New Member
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Nosy be panther chameleon. 4 months old. I have had him for 1 month
Handling - rarely. Only when I need to clean his plants.
Feeding - I have been mainly feeding him phoenix worms this past week because the crickets I got were too large. I gut load my crickets but the phoenix worms come with food in their package. I feed him 3ish crickets a day and 5-7 small worms a day.
Supplements - zoomed calcium without D3 6 times a day and the 7th day is zoomed calcium with D3 or Repashy chameleon plus.
Watering - I have a dripper on 24/7 and I mist him for 10-15 seconds 3-4 times a day. I do see him drinking occasionally. His urates are white and I thought this meant he was well hydrated. Correct me if I am wrong.
Fecal Description - White urates and brown tiny poo. Looks like it always has. He has not been tested for parasites but I bought him from a trusted breeder.
History - He has been acting normal for the last 3 weeks. but since I moved he has been acting funny :(

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screened enclosure. 12x12x17 (will upgrade when he is a bit bigger)
Lighting - Reptiglo 5.0 (couldn't find reptisun, could this be the problem?) 30watt basking bulb
Temperature - Hot spot is 80-82. Cool spot is 75*. Night time temps are in the low 70's
Humidity - between 50-70% I have live plants, a dripper and I mist 3 times a day or more.
Plants - Hibiscus and pothos
Placement - By the front window. Top of the cage is 4' off the ground. I will be moving it higher up very soon.
Location - Chicago IL

Current Problem - My Chameleon has barely been moving. His eyes look a little sunken in and he keeps them closed most of the day. I did just recently move but his setup and care has stayed EXACTLY the same since before I moved and he was perfectly fine there. He has only been acting like this for the last 5 days or so but I am very worried about him. He has been eating and pooping.

Please help! I can't think of anything that I could be doing wrong :( I am just really worried about my little guy :( He is so tiny and I just want what is best for him.

4828587494_8d3321ff4f_b.jpg


Sorry he is wet :( I don't spray him directly, it just drips down when I mist.
 
He eats every day. I don't see him drinking all that often but I make sure to mist at least 3 times a day and I keep the dripper going all day. I do see him drinking occasionally and his urates are white.
 
The amount of food you are feeding him is not enough. He should be eating as much as he wants at this age. He needs to see a vet ASAP. Is the UV a coil or a linear?
 
He never eats all the food in his bowl. If I ever see it empty, I re fill it.

Its a linear bulb.

I am not trying to avoid the vet, but I am just wondering what they could do for such a tiny little guy?
 
Testing for parasites, treating for parasites or infections if needed. He looks extremely thin and by the look of that photo, I'm sorry to say, it doesn't look good.
 
:( :(

He really just started looking like this this morning. I feel like I have been doing everything right. There are no vets open around me today. I am just so afraid of finding him dead :( :(

He looks more plump now that he is awake and I think he drank so more water.
 
Do you have any substrate in the cage? If you're giving him Calcium w/D3 every week, that is to much. Only give the Calcium w/D3 1-2x per month. You can try placing his plant in the shower and get a nice warm, slightly warmer than room temp, mist going, but not directly on him.
 
He is on paper towels

I only give him the calcium with D3 once a month. So I have only given it to him once so far

Do I leave him on the plant while I mist?
 
Ok, this is what i was talking about, it confused me. Sorry! lol
Supplements - zoomed calcium without D3 6 times a day and the 7th day is zoomed calcium with D3 or Repashy chameleon plus.
Click to expand...

Try the shower, but he really needs a vet. I'm sure you won't be able to get him in now, first thing tomorrow call them.
 
I will.

:( Hopefully he will get some fluids in him and start looking a little perkier. I feel like the worst mom ever. I have never had any issues with any of my reptiles until now :(
 
Don't feel that way at all. He could have had parasites when you got him. I'm not familiar with the Repashy chameleon plus, so I do not know if that could be causing any issues or not.
 
The repashy stuff is what the breeder (kaleidescope chameleons) use.

Could it be the phoenix worms I have been giving him? This really started after I started giving him those...although he seems to like them.

He looks worse again. He has almost no grip. He only opens his eyes a little bit. He won't drink :(

I am bagging his poop and bringing him to the vet tomorrow. If it is parasites do you think he will recover?

I am just sitting here bawling. I feel like complete crap.

I am keeping him in a deli cup with moist paper towels now. :(
 
4828235369_73d1bdac2d_b.jpg


Also, he looks like he keeps scratching his back with his back foot :( I have no idea what he is doing though.
 
If it's an emergency vet, they probably won't know that much about chameleons. They could do a fecal and check for parasites. The vet usually gives the first dose and sends you home with meds and instructions for the remaining doses. I would follow-up tomorrow with a reptile vet with cham experience. Some parasites are very easy to treat some aren't.
 
Hi, I'm new, sorry I don't have all the answers but just wanted to say that when you go in, tell the vet everything you've told us, his general setup and care when the symptoms started.

I'm sorry you are going through this. My newbie opinion is dehydration as a starter, and I believe they could give him fluids. Great job getting a fecal sample, its a good place for them to start with. Hang in there, sending good thoughts and hopes your way for him.
 
I called them. They have a reptile vet there 24/7, one of the doctors is one I would see normally for reptile related issues.

I am in the car now.
 
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