I have a male veiled, approximately 3 months old. I was out of town a few days and left his care to someone with specific instructions. Unfortunately, when I came back, my cham was low energy, and I noticed his eyes were beginning to sink in (only very slightly, but enough for me to notice something "wasn't right"). I know someone who raises chams who said he looked dehydrated. Over the past week we have been administering water (very carefully, so as not to aspirate him), and since he hasn't been eating (another problem), we have been feeding him a high protein dog food, also recommended by our expert. I don't see any signs of MBD other than the weakness, no bowing of limbs, etc., but for dehydration I expected to see improvement by now (it's been a week). Can anyone help with what may be going on with him? He isn't climbing anymore (too weak), and I am low on funds to run him to the vet for the vet to say to continue to do what we are doing. He has the proper lighting (heat and UV), part tank, part mesh cage, drip and spray bottle for humidity.
Not sure what's wrong
- Thread starter Cams mom
- Start date
ataraxia
Avid Member
im not a expert but would discontinue the dog food. if you force feeding....i would get some plain pedialyte and some guts from crickets/mealworms. stir it up and suck it up in a syringe. give in very small amounts. let them swallow and then administer more. also how what are your temps basking and floor? what kind of lighting?
We have been using a calcium spray, and just recently found out that we should be dusting his food. We have been gutloading his food (yeah), and although his lights were relatively new(3 months), we replaced all of them three days ago with new ones, just to be sure he was getting the maximum quality UV. If it is MBD, is there anything, aside from the expensive vet visit we can do? We are drop-feeding him right now too, since he is so weak, including water for dehydration. Today he had his first "poo" in about a week (a good sign, I think).
The lighting is a Reptisun 5.0 and I'm not sure which heat light I purchased, but it was recommended by the representative at the pet store who has owned several chameleons. He is also the one who recommended the high protein dog food to gain strength back. We started with pedialyte for the first 2 days, but realized he needed food too, so now we are doing the watered down food with calcium. I have crickets in waiting, but I don't want to put any in with him until he can get up off the floor. Maybe I should try one and see if he goes for it?? I am so at a loss and don't want to lose him...
JaxyGirl
Avid Member
Hi there, I'm really sorry to hear that your cham isn't feeling well. Unfortunately, a lot of pet stores aren't as knowledgeable about chams as they should be and can sometimes give bad advice although they mean well. A high protein diet is not recommended for a cham..It can really reek havoc with their system especially kidneys..and dog food is very high in protein. I think the best thing for know would be for you to fill out the how to ask for help form. That way we'll be able to identify any changes that need to be made in your cham's care and husbandry. It only takes a few minutes but is worth it. All you have to do is submit reply with a quote and you can answer right next to the questions bellow. Natalie
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.
Lethargic and weak
The problem is that I came back from being out of town a few days and found a lethargic, weak, chameleon who will not eat or drink. I have given him pedialyte for two days, and now feeding with a dropper a warm high protein dog food/water/calcium mix. I don't know if he has the onset of MBD, is just dehydrated, or something else. I really don't have the money to go to a vet unless that is my last option.
Well, just an update. Today, he started climbing again, and is now at the top of the cage. Oh, and I felt like such a bad mother, so now I have a humidity gauge and thermometer in the cage (80 degrees and 50%). And we discovered the problem..dehydration mostly. We have a fountain in his cage, and while we were gone we are assuming they did not turn it on. I didn't put two and two together until I thought about turning it on (he's had his drip cup and mister all week, but showed no interest). I turned it on and he drank for a while from it, so now I know what the issue was - woohoo!!! I'll keep an eye on him for the next several days, but I think we are in the clear!
dreamforthedead
New Member
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. Fill this in it will help. Can you not take him to a vet and work out a payment plan?
* 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. Fill this in it will help. Can you not take him to a vet and work out a payment plan?
dreamforthedead
New Member
Water fountains are not great, you should really take it out, bacteria paradise.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Agreed. Try to get him to learn to drink from a dripper or spray misting on leaves etc. A water fall / foutain is a bad idea.
Dog food is likewise a bad idea.
Dog food is likewise a bad idea.
I know about the water fountain thing with bacteria and such. I actually only put it in there for extra humidity; I didn't think he would drink from it (it's really small). I was surprised to watch him last night; actually bathing in it too. I am eventually going all screen, but since he is so small the set up I have now is good. It's more screen than tank, and the heat sources are at the top. I have a temp gauge at the bottom and all the heat escapes before it gets down there, so the tank is not overheating. Thanks for the great info, and I'm just glad it wasn't worse. Whew!
