Little Man Simba
Member
Simba
Panther Chameleon
5 and 1/2 years (In my care for 5 years)
Male
Handled 1-3x per week: He used to love venturing out of his habitat, would walk on to my hand when I opened the door. He has had many health issues over the past 4 months and has been handled much more frequently, but with much more stress, so I have been doing my best to leave him in peace for the past 4 weeks or so, only handling him when necessary, although he does seem like he still trusts me and appreciates my company.
-Feeding: Crickets, superworms, hornworms, dusted and handfed. Usually I offer free range crickets (7-10 crickets 2-3x per week), but he has not been hunting them for the past 2 weeks (when his symptoms became more severe)
-Supplements: Reptivite multivitamin 1x/wk, Reptical w/ d3 1x/wk (i know that this is not ideal, and i am looking to rememdy this asap! The reptile specialist i have been taking him to says this is fine (obviously though, he is not fine) There is SO much conflicting information regarding supplementation! I desperately need some experienced advice quickly before I lose him!
-Watering: Filtered water always x 4 months (tap water before). Simba drinks "by hand" via a small water bottle 3x/day or "as requested" Mister in habitat, 4 mins 2-5x per day depending on season. He has never been a good drinker, ever.
-Fecal: After recent antibiotics after 2 surgeries he has been extremely dehydrated despite all of my efforts. He last defecated last week, stool was firm and dark, urates pale orange (3 wks ago, normal stool/urates)
-History: Previously to 5 months ago, Simba was happy, social, had a great appetite and was very active, then i noticed he began to lose his grip and had more falls. I also noticed one of his eyes seem to be bothering him and he frequently had it closed . In one of those falls, Simba broke the tip of his tail, vet said it was too necrotic and had to be amputated (1/4" at the tip). Abx injections every 3 days for 7 injections. One week after his last injection, he had a Hemi pens prolapse which required surgery and once again he was placed on a series of antibiotic injections. It was at this time that he took a serious turn for the worse. Initially he was only lethargic however he was still eating and drinking normally. He began keeping both eyes closed almost constantly and when they have been open I notice the inner lid is red and irritated. For the past 5 days he has been the same, almost doesn't move.
Habitat info:
- Type: Exoterra extra tall (4' H x 2 x 2), glass with screen top
-Lighting: On timer 12hrs uva (daylight blue 60w) & uvb (reptile uvb 100 by exoterra 120v/26w) (I changed this about 4 months ago after reading/online research that the tropical mini uvb (tropical) would not put out enough through the screen. He used to seem to want to be lower, and after changing the bulb, especially recently, he wants to be right at the top (6" below the screen) which I attributed to him needing either more heat/uva/uvb, which is why I changed the bulb. He became very active for a few weeks after the change, which I considered an improvement, but now I am wondering if I should change it back. Red heat bulb basking light 24hrs
-Temperature: Lowest (bottom) 70 (night)/Highest @ Top 6" under basking light 95-100/85 (night), Top (not under heat bulb) 90-95/80(night) ...It does seem a little on the warm side, but I increased his heat thinking it would be more beneficial due to his conditions.
-Humidity: Despite the Mister and frequent mists, the humidity seems to fluctuate greatly. In the morning, after 12 hrs, around20-30%, during the day, I do my best to keep it no lower than 40% supplementing with extra misting as needed.
-Location: In a small office at work away from windows, hvac keeps the room temp relatively stable at 68-72 degrees
I have heard crackling in his lungs, which suggests respiratory infection, but no discharge from nose. About 4 months ago I thought I saw bubbling from his nose, twice in one day, but not after.
His belly is also distended, however I know he is very constipated due to medication and dehydration and not eating. He also has been "holding it" since the prolapse (which I completely understand but need to remedy).
He stays warm, but he also isn't thermoregulating as he used to so I am constantly keeping an eye on his body temp
To help with the congestion/fluid in lungs and tosupport hydration I am giving him 2-3 warm mists each day. Is this too much??
I am desperately trying to encourage him to eat, today he ate one cricket, yesterday none. He prefers superworms, but petco was out. He is extremely weak!
I am 90% positive that almost all of his issues are related to nutrition, vitamin a Deficiency, possibly too much d3?
The vet that has been seeing him initially said everything looked good when he was presented for the broken tail, but she has proven to me that her experience is not so great with chameleons. She is also overcharging me for ridiculous things and never has any appointments available. I have spent over $1000 in vet care in the past 4 months and while I want to do everything that I can, I simply do not have the money right now for repeated exams and unneccesary labs. I know this sounds awful, but I am a single mother with no one to help with the bills (and I have a lot of bills!)
I am so upset for Simba!! Please help! I know I can help him if I have the proper advice and I can't stand to see him like this!
The phot was taken today
His weight is 24.2 g, over 4 g less than he was 3 months ago
Panther Chameleon
5 and 1/2 years (In my care for 5 years)
Male
Handled 1-3x per week: He used to love venturing out of his habitat, would walk on to my hand when I opened the door. He has had many health issues over the past 4 months and has been handled much more frequently, but with much more stress, so I have been doing my best to leave him in peace for the past 4 weeks or so, only handling him when necessary, although he does seem like he still trusts me and appreciates my company.
-Feeding: Crickets, superworms, hornworms, dusted and handfed. Usually I offer free range crickets (7-10 crickets 2-3x per week), but he has not been hunting them for the past 2 weeks (when his symptoms became more severe)
-Supplements: Reptivite multivitamin 1x/wk, Reptical w/ d3 1x/wk (i know that this is not ideal, and i am looking to rememdy this asap! The reptile specialist i have been taking him to says this is fine (obviously though, he is not fine) There is SO much conflicting information regarding supplementation! I desperately need some experienced advice quickly before I lose him!
-Watering: Filtered water always x 4 months (tap water before). Simba drinks "by hand" via a small water bottle 3x/day or "as requested" Mister in habitat, 4 mins 2-5x per day depending on season. He has never been a good drinker, ever.
-Fecal: After recent antibiotics after 2 surgeries he has been extremely dehydrated despite all of my efforts. He last defecated last week, stool was firm and dark, urates pale orange (3 wks ago, normal stool/urates)
-History: Previously to 5 months ago, Simba was happy, social, had a great appetite and was very active, then i noticed he began to lose his grip and had more falls. I also noticed one of his eyes seem to be bothering him and he frequently had it closed . In one of those falls, Simba broke the tip of his tail, vet said it was too necrotic and had to be amputated (1/4" at the tip). Abx injections every 3 days for 7 injections. One week after his last injection, he had a Hemi pens prolapse which required surgery and once again he was placed on a series of antibiotic injections. It was at this time that he took a serious turn for the worse. Initially he was only lethargic however he was still eating and drinking normally. He began keeping both eyes closed almost constantly and when they have been open I notice the inner lid is red and irritated. For the past 5 days he has been the same, almost doesn't move.
Habitat info:
- Type: Exoterra extra tall (4' H x 2 x 2), glass with screen top
-Lighting: On timer 12hrs uva (daylight blue 60w) & uvb (reptile uvb 100 by exoterra 120v/26w) (I changed this about 4 months ago after reading/online research that the tropical mini uvb (tropical) would not put out enough through the screen. He used to seem to want to be lower, and after changing the bulb, especially recently, he wants to be right at the top (6" below the screen) which I attributed to him needing either more heat/uva/uvb, which is why I changed the bulb. He became very active for a few weeks after the change, which I considered an improvement, but now I am wondering if I should change it back. Red heat bulb basking light 24hrs
-Temperature: Lowest (bottom) 70 (night)/Highest @ Top 6" under basking light 95-100/85 (night), Top (not under heat bulb) 90-95/80(night) ...It does seem a little on the warm side, but I increased his heat thinking it would be more beneficial due to his conditions.
-Humidity: Despite the Mister and frequent mists, the humidity seems to fluctuate greatly. In the morning, after 12 hrs, around20-30%, during the day, I do my best to keep it no lower than 40% supplementing with extra misting as needed.
-Location: In a small office at work away from windows, hvac keeps the room temp relatively stable at 68-72 degrees
I have heard crackling in his lungs, which suggests respiratory infection, but no discharge from nose. About 4 months ago I thought I saw bubbling from his nose, twice in one day, but not after.
His belly is also distended, however I know he is very constipated due to medication and dehydration and not eating. He also has been "holding it" since the prolapse (which I completely understand but need to remedy).
He stays warm, but he also isn't thermoregulating as he used to so I am constantly keeping an eye on his body temp
To help with the congestion/fluid in lungs and tosupport hydration I am giving him 2-3 warm mists each day. Is this too much??
I am desperately trying to encourage him to eat, today he ate one cricket, yesterday none. He prefers superworms, but petco was out. He is extremely weak!
I am 90% positive that almost all of his issues are related to nutrition, vitamin a Deficiency, possibly too much d3?
The vet that has been seeing him initially said everything looked good when he was presented for the broken tail, but she has proven to me that her experience is not so great with chameleons. She is also overcharging me for ridiculous things and never has any appointments available. I have spent over $1000 in vet care in the past 4 months and while I want to do everything that I can, I simply do not have the money right now for repeated exams and unneccesary labs. I know this sounds awful, but I am a single mother with no one to help with the bills (and I have a lot of bills!)
I am so upset for Simba!! Please help! I know I can help him if I have the proper advice and I can't stand to see him like this!
The phot was taken today
His weight is 24.2 g, over 4 g less than he was 3 months ago