Please help!!!

[Eugines.mum]

Good morning. So, last december I was gifted what i was told was a Male chameleon. he is about a year and a half old according to his previous owner. He has been a happy, healthy boy for these past few months. In fact,a few days before today I saw him moving around his cage more than I'd ever seen before! When he would sit on a branch he would let a few legs dangle but after researching I thought nothing of it. However yesterday when I got home from being away for the majority of the day he was on the bottom of his cage and this morning he is hanging hos back feet and tail from a branch weakly and the back part of his body is a grey brown colour. Please help!!!!!

 

[SourGrape4u]

Can you post pics? The more experienced will ask for that and the info sheet. Could be anything from MBD to gout.

 

[Prince of Duval]

Good morning. So, last december I was gifted what i was told was a Male chameleon. he is about a year and a half old according to his previous owner. He has been a happy, healthy boy for these past few months. In fact,a few days before today I saw him moving around his cage more than I'd ever seen before! When he would sit on a branch he would let a few legs dangle but after researching I thought nothing of it. However yesterday when I got home from being away for the majority of the day he was on the bottom of his cage and this morning he is hanging hos back feet and tail from a branch weakly and the back part of his body is a grey brown colour. Please help!!!!!

And fill out this form

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.

--------------

Please Note:
1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful

 

[Eugines.mum]

And fill out this form

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.

--------------

Please Note:
1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful

And fill out this form

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.

--------------

Please Note:
1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful

Veiled chameleon was told it was a male. I do not hold him often as I was told they don't like it. Keith live crickets about 5 a day from the 20 I put in. I feed him 10 in the morning and 10 at night. Some days he eats them all some days he barely eats any. I use an orange cricket supplement? I am not sure the brand. The original can it was in got sticky and wouldn't open so we switched it and threw the label away. there is no dusting of the Crickets as I was told it was not needed. He has a mister at the top of his cage as well as a bowl of water at the bottom. I missed him about twice a day, for about 20 minutes each time. If I let it run the cage gets soggy. I do see him drink, fairly recently in fact. Is feces seem to be a dark brown and firm. Is cage is the chameleon starter kit from PetSmart. I am not sure of the dimensions as I cannot measure right now because I am holding him. It is all screen and I keep it 78 to 80 degrees. I am not sure on humidity as I was told it wasn't a big deal. No live plants in the enclosure and the habitat is on a dresser, about 2 ft tall off the ground. He is in a very low traffic area and by a window that is bolted shut and get no draft. I live in Wisconsin.

 

[Thatwizard420]

he is really really dehydrated

 

[Eugines.mum]

he is really really dehydrated

How do I fix it?

 

[Prince of Duval]

Veiled chameleon was told it was a male. I do not hold him often as I was told they don't like it. Keith live crickets about 5 a day from the 20 I put in. I feed him 10 in the morning and 10 at night. Some days he eats them all some days he barely eats any. I use an orange cricket supplement? I am not sure the brand. The original can it was in got sticky and wouldn't open so we switched it and threw the label away. there is no dusting of the Crickets as I was told it was not needed. He has a mister at the top of his cage as well as a bowl of water at the bottom. I missed him about twice a day, for about 20 minutes each time. If I let it run the cage gets soggy. I do see him drink, fairly recently in fact. Is feces seem to be a dark brown and firm. Is cage is the chameleon starter kit from PetSmart. I am not sure of the dimensions as I cannot measure right now because I am holding him. It is all screen and I keep it 78 to 80 degrees. I am not sure on humidity as I was told it wasn't a big deal. No live plants in the enclosure and the habitat is on a dresser, about 2 ft tall off the ground. He is in a very low traffic area and by a window that is bolted shut and get no draft. I live in Wisconsin.View attachment 263427View attachment 263426

The orange cricket feed is probably Flukers. You really need to gut load with fresh fruits and veggies and probably something better than the orange stuff. The kit you bought for your chameleon cage set up probably has inadequate UVB lighting. You should be dusting your crickets at every feeding with at least calcium and occasional D3 especially if his UVB lighting is inadequate. How are his urates looking? If he’s dehydrated, a hornworm could help out for the time being if you have access. 20 minutes is a little long for misting.

 

[Prince of Duval]

Veiled chameleon was told it was a male. I do not hold him often as I was told they don't like it. Keith live crickets about 5 a day from the 20 I put in. I feed him 10 in the morning and 10 at night. Some days he eats them all some days he barely eats any. I use an orange cricket supplement? I am not sure the brand. The original can it was in got sticky and wouldn't open so we switched it and threw the label away. there is no dusting of the Crickets as I was told it was not needed. He has a mister at the top of his cage as well as a bowl of water at the bottom. I missed him about twice a day, for about 20 minutes each time. If I let it run the cage gets soggy. I do see him drink, fairly recently in fact. Is feces seem to be a dark brown and firm. Is cage is the chameleon starter kit from PetSmart. I am not sure of the dimensions as I cannot measure right now because I am holding him. It is all screen and I keep it 78 to 80 degrees. I am not sure on humidity as I was told it wasn't a big deal. No live plants in the enclosure and the habitat is on a dresser, about 2 ft tall off the ground. He is in a very low traffic area and by a window that is bolted shut and get no draft. I live in Wisconsin.View attachment 263427View attachment 263426

And upload some pictures of your cage setup when you can.

 

[Ares05]

I think there is more than dehydration going on here.. He doesn't look good at all. @kinyonga

 

[jamest0o0]

Sounds like you got awful advice from wherever you bought him. Mean no offense towards you, it is very common. Along with what others said, there could be a whole variety of things going on... almost looks like gout, which dehydration can cause. Could be impaction, which is also common with dehydration. Could be illness/parasites. A vet trip is in order, but I would get some wate into asap. 60+ min in the shower could be immediately beneficial. Place on a plant with perches, have the shower directed at the wall or somewhere so that only tiny fine droplets get on him(think of a mist), and keep the shower temp cool, if it feels warm to you, that's too hot. You want it to feel a little chilly to touch, but not ice cold. It is not a good sign to see chameleons eagerly drink water in front of you on a regular basis, and they shouldn't be drinking from water bowls.

 

[jamest0o0]

Oh and, dust your crickets. He is probably deficient in calcium and likely d3. Probably vitamin A as well. I'll let @kinyonga or @JacksJill recommend a supplement regime for an animal in this condition since he probably needs more than the regular maintenance.

 

[Gingero]

Unfortunately it sounds like you have been told a lot of incorrect info and as a result, you have a very, very sick chameleon. Best thing you can do is take the advice you can find here and make changes ASAP. Otherwise your guy doesn't have more than a few days left.

This is a good starting point to read about basic veiled chameleon care. It'll give you some context for changes you'll need to make: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Definitely will need an experienced vet. Most likely a hospital bin.

 

[kinyonga]

It does look like gout in that back left leg. You need to see a vet with him ASAP.

For supplementing ...it's recommended that you use a phos free calcium powder lightly dusted on the insects just before feeding them to the chameleon at all feedings but 4 a month. One two of the 4 that you skip that supplement on, two weeks apart it's recommended that you dust lightly with a phos free calciumD3 powder and the other two days, two weeks apart dust lightly with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene prOformed source of vitamin A. This leaves it up to you to use a prEformed vitamin A supplement if you feel it's necessary. Vitamin A from prOformed sources won't build up in the system like prEformed sources can which is why we're careful with the prEformed. Vitamin D3 from supplements can also build up in the system which is why we only use it twice a month and leave the chameleon to produce the rest of the D3 from its exposure to the UVB.

The orange cubes, I would drop and feed/gutload with dandelion greens, kale, collards, escarole, endive, mustard greens, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, carrots, sweet red pepper and a tiny bit of berries, melon, mango, papaya, apples, pears, etc. instead.

I would recommend adding a dripper that drips at the rate of one or two drips per second.

I would also move the cage away from the window...especially in the winter.

Hope this helps and that you can get him on the mend.

 

[Thatwizard420]

Gutload= Best that worked for me was Oh My Gutload, Cricket Crack.
------ I also like collard greens, turnip greens, a lil bit of kale and carrots. This is not necessary but i would dust the veggies gutload with Repashy Superveggie just cause I had one laying around. There are many more options, but that's what worked for me..
Hydration= Never had much success with a dripper, but I misted a a lot. I made sure very leaf had droplets. Usually a 4 min misting session 3 times a day. This is really important as you might no see him drink right away, but all leaves should be saturated. I also like putting glass on top and would mist upwards creating like a raining effect. (is not necessary)
Live Feeders= Crickets are ok, I like Dusting them and unleashing like 20 at a time so he hunts. That being said, I rarely used to feed crickets. For staple feeders, I used Dubia roaches, calciwomrs (in moderation), Supeworms (in moderation), and hornworms (1 every 3 days)
Supplementation= To make it easier for you, get Repashy Supercalcium Plus LoD. Lightly dust all his feeders with the exception of calciworms. That should be every feeding, and eliminates the need for a supplement schedule.
Lighting= Basking temps should be 90-95° F, With light positioned no less than 7 inches from casque. I like dual domes and using two 25W bulbs. That way when hes basking, its more of a wider "heat" instead of it being concentrated in one spot.
------- For UVB I had success with a zoomed 24' T5 H.O with Reptisun 5.0 bulb. Try to position it anywhere no less than 10-12 inches from casque. Light should cover whole enclosure. Having the right light distance ensures your Cham doesn't get burns and gets appropiate UVB. The BioDude has a video on different fixtures and bulbs and UV output at different heights. You'll be surprised how much of a difference a few inches make with UVB output.

Here are my 2¢ on the matter. I found this to be working for me and had my cham for about 2 years before I rehomed him dues to health issues. (This Rona)

He definitely needs a vet ASAP as most lizards go downhill really really quick with improper husbandry.

Any questions feel free to ask.