metabolism change?

[zelink14]

Hi,

My male veiled Ridley is now about 7-8 months old, and I have noticed he seems much more lethargic lately and I'm wondering what might be wrong, if anything...

Currently, he's averaged about 3-4 crickets every three days. I see him basking as normal, but otherwise he hangs out in the same areas and, many times, has his eyes shut. I haven't noticed a significant loss of weight or bowed limbs by looking at him. Also, he's still as responsive and aggressive as usual.

I ordered him a larger cage since he's outgrowing his current cage. Also, I'll be getting a Reptisun UVB soon as well. Since October, though, he's been under a Powersun bulb and has seemed fine. He's misted 3-5 times per day.

Any ideas? Did his metabolism change, or is it something else? I know eyes shut during the day is not a good thing...

Any help/suggestions would be great. Thanks!

-Lynda

 

[jannb]

If you'll answer these questions and post pictures it would be helpful. As you said having his eyes closed in the daytime is not good. Has he has a vet visit lately? Jann

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Cage Info:
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Pictures are helpful

 

[zelink14]

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Mesh cage; about 20" x 15" x 12", but soon will have a 39 g from LLLReptile
Lighting - Zoomed Powersun 100 w; it's elevated off the cage so it doesn't burn him
Temperature - I have two thermometers at the top and bottom. Top one is 85-90 during the day, bottom one is 75. Nighttime is no less than 60.
Humidity - As per Brad's advice, I no longer use a measuring tool. I mist as often as possible, letting it dry in between mistings.
Plants - No live plants right now.
Placement - Cage is in a fairly uneventful living room elevated four feet up.
Location - Redmond/Seattle, Wasington

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male veiled, about 8 months. Been in my care since October.
Handling - No more than once a week, when I hand-offer him water to make sure he's hydrated.
Feeding - Crickets; I offer 10+ per day but he only eats about three or four every other day. Gutloaded with carrots, kale, and oats.
Supplements - General all-in-one vitamin supplement.
Watering - Ridley doesn't seem to drink much since I can see the yellow in his urates; because of this I pull him out every week or week and a half and offer him water. That's the only time I see him drink.
Fecal Description - Recent droppings are normal, about the size of a large pill, but urates are always a white-yellow gradient showing that he's not drinking enough.
History - None. Last vet visit was January.
Current Problem - Again, I'm concerned that Ridley might not be eating as much as he should be. He's about 4 inches long (without the tail) currently. I see him walk around during the day, and bask, but closer to the middle of the day or evening he'll "go to bed early", so it seems, and have his eyes shut. He'll open them if he senses me nearby.

His legs are not bowed, his grip is still extremely powerful, and he is as aggressive as normal. His casque looks normal and straight. I don't see bones poking out. I'm wondering if I just need to change the lighting schedule; is it a winter thing?

Also, as I mentioned, his cage is now too small for him and he'll soon be moved into a 39 gallon mesh cage (from LLLReptile) when it comes this weekend. I've also been looking forward to replacing his Powersun with a house bulb and a Reptisun UVB bulb. I think this might help a lot.

I'll take pictures in the instance that this post is not enough info. Let me know.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[jannb]

Your cage is too small......as you know

I'm not sure about that light......maybe someone else will help here.

You need plain calcium at just about every feeding, Calcium with d3 twice a month and a multi vit. once a month.

You need to mist him for 3 to 5 minutes twice a day with real warm water.

Offer him some different feeders. Try silkworms....maybe he'll like those.

I would recommend a vet visit and a fecal.

 

[zelink14]

New cage!

So my 39 gallon Reptarium from LLLReptile came in the mail yesterday. It's so much bigger, and I think Ridley will like it much more.

Ridley is near the top-middle of the cage.

After hiding for a bit he came out to bask.

Here's a picture from a few days ago, when his cage was much too small... he's not happy about the camera at all!

Anyway, I'm going to see how he improves in the next week... I'm going to get new lighting soon, as well.

Otherwise, does he look like he's doing okay? Again, he's about 8 months old.

 

[jannb]

Ridley's a beautiful boy! I hope all goes well for him in his new cage. Jann