My Chameleon might be dying. help?!

[Garrett Moore]

When I woke up this morning my Cham was seeming very tired and wouldn't open his eyes very much. the next thing I noticed was he couldn't really hold himself up. and the last thing that happened was he keeps opening his mouth for some reason... If anyone knows what I should do please respond ASAP. here is a picture of him.

 

[Ares05]

Get. Him. To. A. vet. He is very, very sick and will ultimately die without reptile vet care.

He is very dehydrated, and obviously weak. Gaping could mean RI, overheating, organ failure, ect. Closing his eyes can also mean serious health problems. ( i'm sure @kinyonga or @JacksJill could list even more)

Fill in this form, it's likely he looks like this because of very poor husbandry. Although the first concern is getting him to a vet, no point in going through a vet if he's just going to come back to the same bad conditions. This did not happen overnight!

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.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Garrett Moore]

Veiled, male, 10 months old, 8 months in my care.

I don't like to handle too often. he does not enjoy it.

I feed him around 10-15 large crickets a day. yes I gut load

I give him some calcium with the crickets once a week.

I have a water bowl he drinks from and a fogger that goes every night. yes, he drinks from both. I also mist every day.

I have never brought him to a vet because I do not live near an exotic vet.

I use 2 pothos in his cage.

Screen but I don't remember the dimensions. but I remember the guy at the expo saying it will last his whole life.

I leave the lights on all day except for the night when I fog. I use a zoo med light.

The temp stays around 85 degrees and the humidity stays around 45.

the cage is located on my dresser in my room. the cage floor is located 3 feet from the ground. it's not near any fans or heaters or anything.

I am currently in Minnesota

 

[Garrett Moore]

I feel like its getting worse. he is barely moving now. I tried giving him a cricket and he won't eat it. he spit it out

 

[Syreptyon]

Veiled, male, 10 months old, 8 months in my care.

I don't like to handle too often. he does not enjoy it.

I feed him around 10-15 large crickets a day. yes I gut load

I give him some calcium with the crickets once a week.

I have a water bowl he drinks from and a fogger that goes every night. yes, he drinks from both. I also mist every day.

I have never brought him to a vet because I do not live near an exotic vet.

I use 2 pothos in his cage.

Screen but I don't remember the dimensions. but I remember the guy at the expo saying it will last his whole life.

I leave the lights on all day except for the night when I fog. I use a zoo med light.

The temp stays around 85 degrees and the humidity stays around 45.

the cage is located on my dresser in my room. the cage floor is located 3 feet from the ground. it's not near any fans or heaters or anything.

I am currently in Minnesota

There are a lot of problems here, but there is nothing you can do at this moment other than bring him to a vet. There are many reptile vets in Minnesota. From the pictures, especially the eyes, it looks like he is well on his way towards dying.

We can go over changes to your husbandry later, but none of that will change his situation right now. But for future reference: never trust a thing a petco employee has to say about chameleons. Your supplements schedule and your use of a water bowl are the likeliest reasons for his decline imo

 

[Ares05]

Hun you need to get him to a vet.. He will die without one, he's on deaths door.

 

[Garrett Moore]

ok thank you so much for the help

 

[Ares05]

Did you find a vet?

 

[Garrett Moore]

yes, I found one I'm getting my stuff together.

 

[Ares05]

Im sorry that he is in such bad condition. Be prepared to lay down a lot of money if it's necessary, and if you are prepared to do that hopefully he will recover. Best wishes.

 

[Ares05]

How did it go?

 

[KobaOregonherper]

@Garrett Moore any update?