My Jackson chameleon isn’t eating or climbing

[PaigeG35]

My 6mth old Jackson chameleon is not eating and barely using his legs to climb. I’ve read that it could be a deficiency or he is constipated. I put him in a shower for 30 minutes twice a day. I’ve tried feeding him small crickets and it’s like he has forgotten how to eat!
Please help!

 

[Syreptyon]

We are going to need a lot more information if you want us to help. Please fill out the following form in its entirety (do not leave anything unanswered) and include several photos of the chameleon in question as well as his enclosure.

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.

 

[JacksJill]

You should probably consult a veterinarian. This may require medication or force feeding I can't really tell without more info.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

My 6mth old Jackson chameleon is not eating and barely using his legs to climb. I’ve read that it could be a deficiency or he is constipated. I put him in a shower for 30 minutes twice a day. I’ve tried feeding him small crickets and it’s like he has forgotten how to eat!
Please help!

How long has this been going on?

 

[PaigeG35]

It is a male, 6 to 7 months old, he eats crickets and drinks wanted in the shower. The crickets are fed apple and potato and given gut loaded cricket drink.
He has a screened habitat that is in my living room.
I do have live plants in his habitat, they are peace ivy.
He is held only 1 to 3 times a week just for the cleaning of his house.this has been for 2 days now Any advice?

 

[JacksJill]

Do you give him any Calcium or supplements with D3 or multivitamins? How often? If not that could be the problem and he will need help.

 

[PaigeG35]

I don’t give him that, what is D3?
He seems to be moving a little more but hasn’t had a bowel movement or eaten since yesterday

 

[Syreptyon]

I don’t give him that, what is D3?
He seems to be moving a little more but hasn’t had a bowel movement or eaten since yesterday

As stated above, please fill out the form I posted in its entirety. What size is his screen cage, for example? We need as much information as possible or we won't even be able to guess the problem. Have you researched how to care for a Jackson's? It is very concerning that you don't know what D3 is...

 

[JacksJill]

You need to get him on a supplement schedule pronto. Calcium and calcium with Vitamin D3 is available at pet stores you dust their feeders with it. they need it to live in captivity. They also need UVB lights.
Here is a ton of info you need. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

 

[PaigeG35]

Um yes, I have but I’m still learning, I’ve never had a problem with him and pay close attention to his health. His cage is the standard size cage that you buy at petco or pet smart, the cage set up came with lights and bulbs.
I need help, not to be judged. Now please help me or don’t comment.
Thanks!

 

[PaigeG35]

You need to get him on a supplement schedule pronto. Calcium and calcium with Vitamin D3 is available at pet stores you dust their feeders with it. they need it to live in captivity. They also need UVB lights.
Here is a ton of info you need. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

Thank you! For your help! I have read about dusting but was told the gut loaded crickets were fine.
I really appreciate you help and non judgement.

 

[JacksJill]

We are trying to help but with out all the info it is harder.

 

[JacksJill]

What gut load are you using?

 

[Syreptyon]

I am helping you. I am not judging. But clearly you need to do some more reading because you are unfamiliar with one of the most basic aspects of chameleon husbandry. This is not judgment, it is objective fact. D3 is essential for the survival of captive chameleons and any care sheet points this out. You are also ignoring our repeated requests to fill out the how to ask for help form. All you need to do is copy/paste it and fill in your answers. If you really want us to help, you need to listen to our requests and follow through. We genuinely need you to answer every single thing on that list if in order for us to help you

There is no such thing as a "standard" cage size for a chameleon. What, specifically, are the dimensions?

 

[PaigeG35]

I have given you all the info I have.
Thanks for your help jacksjill it is appreciated.
I will not be using this site again

 

[JacksJill]

While it is true that you can get by with well gut loaded feeders for some chameleons. Your gut load has to be fantastic and contain a wide variety of fruits vegetables and nutrients. Most of the commercial gut loads at pet stores aren't enough. Tonight go get the supplements I mentioned and try them. You might want to start a dose of Reptaide. Seriously consider getting veterinary help.

 

[Syreptyon]

Do you know what kind of lights you are using? There is still a lot that would be helpful for us to know.

 

[PaigeG35]

Here is his cage. I live in La, finding a vet to help a chameleon is hard to find

 

[twentyonepilots]

I have given you all the info I have.
Thanks for your help jacksjill it is appreciated.
I will not be using this site again

I think that it might be best to stay, even if you don't post. There is a lot of valuable information on here that you can search for.

 

[Syreptyon]

I know you don't want to here this from me, but we are asking for these pics and the information to help. Your enclosure needs some very important changes made. First of all, your heat lamp and UVB light are significantly too far away from your chameleon to do him any good. He needs to be able to get to within 6-8" of the lights for him to warm himself and get the UVB he needs to survive. This could very likely be contributing to the problem. He is going to be low energy because he (a cold-blooded animal) can't get near enough to his basking light to warm himself up. It is very important that you move the foliage and branches you have way up. Chameleons are arboreal lizards and need to be up high to feel secure - this is why we have such tall cages. But unfortunately you aren't utilizing the most important space in his cage (which is the top half). Please make sure to move those vines up to 6-8" under the lights as a start. It would also be useful to add many more horizontal branches/vines/perches in the upper half of his cage so he can move around better.

Use the search bar at the top right of the page to search for help finding a veterinarian. You should have no problem finding an LA vet using the resources here (you live in an area with lots of chameleon keepers).