ThePoopsmithe
New Member
Long time reader first time poster (or at least first time in a long time). Have gotten lots of care info here in the past. Have owned 3 veiled chameleons. Currently 1 and a beardie. Thanks in advance for any help.
Here to ask about my senior (7 yo) veiled chameleon named Miffins who hasn't been eating recently. Went from perfect apetite to zero for no apparent reason. Its been nearly a month that he hasn't eaten but otherwise seems okay.
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Hasn't eaten for nearly a month. Looks almost interested but never shoots or even opens his mouth...except a little to drink. He has always been a fighter. Recently he seems to have slowed down and is quite a bit weaker. Sometimes displays bright-ish colors but is definitely darker these days. We've tried all kinds of feeders and techniques to no avail.
Possibly related, maybe not. Supposedly he tried to get freaky (yes, like that) on my girlfriends hand. I also may have seen what looked like part of a sperm plug. I don't see any swelling or sign of infection in his down below area.
We've been to two vets in the area with our other chams when they passed (about a year older than Miffins) who supposedly specialized in exotics. Both experiences were horrendous... honestly its hard to describe how bad I feel for putting my pets through that. I swore to never do something like that again and let Miffins go in peace when his time comes.
Is not eating normal behavior for an old dude at the end of his journey? Is there anything else I can do?
Here to ask about my senior (7 yo) veiled chameleon named Miffins who hasn't been eating recently. Went from perfect apetite to zero for no apparent reason. Its been nearly a month that he hasn't eaten but otherwise seems okay.
Chameleon Info:
- Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? 7 years old. Pet smart rescue as a youngster.
- Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Infrequently until recently. Now we handle him almost every day as he tends to wander to odd places in the room. He seems to enjoy being handled these days and brightens up when held. He used to be very showy and not so into it. (Get miffed as we say)
- Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Hasn't eaten for 3-4 weeks. Previously crickets, supers, reptiworms, hornworms, silk worms. Typically 5-6 crix or 2-3 supers. Also fresh veggies every day for him and his bugs. Things like red lettuce, chard, butternut squash, carrots.
- Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Repashy low d and herpvite weekly light dusting. Minerall monthly.
- Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Mist king for maintaining humidity and daily hand sprays with warm water. He seems really thirsty these days and will 'drink' during his sprays, despite not eating. Kindof a new behavior. None of my chams used to do this and seemed pretty well hydrated from veggies.
- Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Pooping occasionally, even though he isn't eating. Some orange in the urate, but some white as well. Not tested. Previously treated all our lizards with repti aid. Now I wouldn't know how, or if it would be safe on an empty stomach... or if its just snake oil!
- 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? Semi free range. Room is enclosed. Previously (6 months ago) 2x2x4 enclosure.
- Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? 12/12 with repsun 5.0. Perhaps a 10 would be better given the increased distance, but seems unlikely to be the problem. Basking bulb is a zoomed 75w spot bulb. All lighting is a lilttle less than a foot from the highest branch.
- Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Basking is 85-90. Room is in the low 80s during the day. 75 at night. Lower temps in the winter. Digital thermometer.
- Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Varies. 60-95. Digital hygrometer.
- Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? All artificial plants. Soaker hose. Bamboo.
- 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? Habitat is in a quiet room. Next to a window where he can look out. Also a beardie in this room (not free range). They don't care much about each other.
- Location - Where are you geographically located? Orlando FL
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Hasn't eaten for nearly a month. Looks almost interested but never shoots or even opens his mouth...except a little to drink. He has always been a fighter. Recently he seems to have slowed down and is quite a bit weaker. Sometimes displays bright-ish colors but is definitely darker these days. We've tried all kinds of feeders and techniques to no avail.
Possibly related, maybe not. Supposedly he tried to get freaky (yes, like that) on my girlfriends hand. I also may have seen what looked like part of a sperm plug. I don't see any swelling or sign of infection in his down below area.
We've been to two vets in the area with our other chams when they passed (about a year older than Miffins) who supposedly specialized in exotics. Both experiences were horrendous... honestly its hard to describe how bad I feel for putting my pets through that. I swore to never do something like that again and let Miffins go in peace when his time comes.
Is not eating normal behavior for an old dude at the end of his journey? Is there anything else I can do?
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Got about a cc in him the first day, and with my girlfriend helping now we're getting a few cc's at a bit higher concentration. I had initially assumed that I would need to (gently) force feed him but this was not the case at all. A much better strategy was to sneak it in while misting and trick him into eating the paste. As you said he seems to like the taste and is eating this without too much fuss. He's looking much brighter today and is spending more time basking. Overall looking quite a bit stronger. Hopefully this can get him kick started into eating again on his own. Realistically I know this probably won't happen overnight and might not happen at all. In the meantime I'll try cutting the mix with some soft feeders and veggies.
