Paranoid?!? (can somebody tell me if this looks like something to worry about?)

[KimoKopeli]

Hi everyone! My husband and I purchased our new little guy "Kimo" about a week ago from a pet store. Ever since then I've been losing sleep from worrying about him! I'm worried that he either was already sick when we got him, or that I'm going to do something to make him sick. I can't help but worry, I cannot bear the thought of being responsible for something happening to this precious thing. This site has already been SO VERY helpful with what I've read, and now I'm hoping that some of the members can ease my mind and tell me their opinion. So...

1.) Before we left the store with him I noticed that he had this tiny little white patch about his right eye. I asked if he had recently shed his skin, and they said that no he hadn't shed at all in the 4-6wks that they had him in. Now I'm worried that maybe this is an infection? IDK.
2.) He GAPES/GAGS? I know that he is not overheated, and I don't think that he has ever choked. I know they stretch their mouths and contract when they are preparing to shed, but he's done it about 6 or 7 times over a week. Shouldn't he be shedding? If he hasn't done it in 5-8 weeks?
3.) I feel like he's too skinny? The crix I give him are the appropriate size, he eats like a little piggy, and he'd eat A LOT more if I gave them to him! The pet store didn't know how old he was (surprise, surprise) and so it's been guesswork on my part to figure out how much to feed him. They were only feeding him 5 pinheads a day. I know when they are really young they eat everyday, and as they get older less, but this guy wants (and I think NEEDS) more than what they were giving him! I give him 10-15 small crix a day, calcium w/o D3 supplemented, gutloaded the best I know how to so far with lots of amazing yummy fruits and veggies. He eats half of them in the early AM, and the rest NO later than 3PM. And I know he'd eat more, but IDK if I should give them to him. He hasn't pooped in 2 days, last time was completely normal looking, urate was SLIGHTLY orange/yellowish, but not much at all. Almost totally white. He hasn't shown any interest in greens/fruits that we've offered him at all. Does he look too skinny??
4.) Today he has this white crust on his left nostril. I know from the care resources page on here that it can be normal salt secretions, but with all of these other symptoms, IDK!
5.) And lastly, (thank goodness, right?) do his eyes look slightly sunken?

And now I'm rambling because I'm terrified that there could be something wrong with our new best friend. We couldn't live with ourselves if he suffered from something we had done, or had not done. I told my husband that if my confidence waivered at all in the two weeks we have to take him back, that we would be returning him. But it doesn't take long to fall in love with one of these beauties.
So if someone could please tell me if any of this is normal in your experience? I'm really hoping that someone can tell me that I am being totally irrational, to calm down, and it'll be fine.

Pictures:
1. crusty nose/ ribs showing? skinny?
2. white patch above eye/ sunken eyes?
3. white patch above eye/ sunken eyes?
4. Kimo being handsome. Skinny though?
5. I thought if my husband held a ruler near him that you could get a better idea of how long he is and maybe tell me how old he is. Kimo thought it would be awesome to run across it. lol.

 

[luvchams]

gut load thats nutritious per vet - Massori powder for bugs

Crix and worms and dubias roaches - gutlaod all feeders - try Masori (spelling is odd) sounds like "Missouri". My vet ONLY recommends this bc it is perfectly balanced as a gut load he says. One of my chams gets the white nostril - I use a little scotch tape to touch on it and lift off the dead skin from an old shed (like a biore). It works perfectly. Be very gentle. It lifts off easily. hope this helps. I have 5 reptiles now. 3 panther 1 veiled and 1 leopard gecko. I am still by no means an expert. I have a good vet in my area that is on the list on this forum care resources. Hope this helps!

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. These little guys do worry you all the time. That's for sure. Kimo doesn't look bad at all. I would recommend a fecal to rule out parasites, that and allot of properly gut loaded feeders. At that age/size I'd feed him all that he wants. They shed when they grow. That looks like a little nick on his head above his eye. The only thing I'm not sure about is the gags. I've not had one do that. I'm attaching my blog for new keepers. It's how I recommend you raise veiled babies.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
More excellent chameleon info here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[KimoKopeli]

Thank you very much. We plan on getting him to a vet, really soon. I just hope all these other issues are okay and will pass. I just don't know though!
And it's only been 6 days that we have had him, we plan on learning A LOT about feeders FAST. lol. We've been feeding them dandelion greens, collard greens, and mustard greens, carrots, apples... It's so soon, I haven't gotten out to buy him the variety of feeders he deserves. I wanna mix it up for him and keep things interesting. I definitely don't want a sad and bored caged animal. I want him happy, healthy, vibrant! I really appreciate the advice on the Masori! Do they sell that at most stores?

And can I ask your opinion about his weight since you have a veiled? Does he look skinny to you? I see everyone pictures of their veileds and they all look filled out and sturdy.

 

[jannb]

A good place to buy a variety of feeders is Lindasgonebuggy.com. She sales value packs for $20 and you get a small amoum of 4 or 5 different feeders to go along with your crickets. Email Linda and tell her you have a baby and to fix you up a baby pack. He does look thin but if he doesn't have parasites he should start putting on weight as long as you feed him well. Here's the website for Linda's Gone Buggy: http://www.lindasgonebuggie.com/

 

[KimoKopeli]

Welcome to the forums. These little guys do worry you all the time. That's for sure. Kimo doesn't look bad at all. I would recommend a fecal to rule out parasites, that and allot of properly gut loaded feeders. At that age/size I'd feed him all that he wants. They shed when they grow. That looks like a little nick on his head above his eye. The only thing I'm not sure about is the gags. I've not had one do that. I'm attaching my blog for new keepers. It's how I recommend you raise veiled babies.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
More excellent chameleon info here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

Thank you so much jannb! I have been reading all of these threads on other topics for general info, and I've read so many of your replies to other members. I'm so glad you replied to mine! I feel better that you think he looks okay.
I feel bad for him if that is a nick on him. But it's not open or anything, so I don't think I should be worried about any wound care., should I? Poor little guy...
And yes about the gagging! IDK either! I was really hoping that it was just him preparing to shed, and I have seen him rub his face on his branches a little bit, nothing excessive. Everything I've read from other members says that the process doesn't normally take this long for the younger chams.

Also, do you have any idea how old he is? Thanks again!

 

[jannb]

He's probably a couple of months old. The males have bumps on the heels of their two back feet. You can check for those to make sure you have a male. I think I see the bump in one of his pictures. If you get all the needed supplies and have everything set up properly then hopefully he will be fine.

 

[laurie]

Kimo sure has the being adorable down to an art already. He is just wonderful. Just get him on a good schedule of food, water, uvb and you will be fine. I see nothing wrong with Kino. Kimo had shed at the shop at least once and they may not have noticed.

Take a look on the lrftover side of the screen and you will find care resources, it has a complete veiled care sheet.

 

[KimoKopeli]

He's probably a couple of months old. The males have bumps on the heels of their two back feet. You can check for those to make sure you have a male. I think I see the bump in one of his pictures. If you get all the needed supplies and have everything set up properly then hopefully he will be fine.

Thank you so much again jannb! I'm sure as Kimo gets older I'm going to have SO many more questions and concerns.
And you have some sharp eyes! He does have the bumps for sure. It took me a day or two to figure out boy/girl, that's when I came across this site and someone had posted side by side pictures of juveniles. You just cannot find info anywhere on the web like you can find here.

 

[KimoKopeli]

Kimo sure has the being adorable down to an art already. He is just wonderful. Just get him on a good schedule of food, water, uvb and you will be fine. I see nothing wrong with Kino. Kimo had shed at the shop at least once and they may not have noticed.

Take a look on the lrftover side of the screen and you will find care resources, it has a complete veiled care sheet.

He has captured our hearts for sure laurie! I have wanted a chameleon for 10 years now, but knew I wasn't ready. I didn't want to commit to anything that I couldn't take on though. My husband and I have seen a few chams the last couple of years in various shops, and I always said, "Not yet, no way." lol. We had seen a couple of Jackson's and a panther. When we saw Kimo I felt it was fate. Plus I'd heard before that a novice really should begin with a veiled. I've had a little leopard gecko before. Adored him! I knew after him that I could easily get way in over my head with lizards. I just love them all. I saw my first cham, and put that experience on the bucket list... We're ready now, and we're in love with him.
Shops really are disappointing, and when I see the pets (especially exotics) being taken care of by little teenagers I wanna take them all home and rescue them! Haha! But I have to be realistic in that I don't have the time, or the supplies, money, or even much more knowledge than the kids that work there.
Thank you laurie for responding to my panicked thread. It's made me feel much more at ease that he'll be alright.