Rebel not eating

[vgaines]

My veiled boy Rebel has not been eating for almost a week. I know that sometimes they go off of food for different reasons but Rebel has always been a great eater. I have tried crickets, super worms, greens and fruit which he has always eaten every time they are offered. Could he be slowing down because of the weather changes? Should I try to raise the temp at his basking site? I know he isn't happy about not having his misting machine go off three times a day. Could that be a reason he isn't eating? I am at a loss and I am a worry wort. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Virginia

PS I am checking the basking spot temp. right now. Should I remove the uneaten crickets and not offer for a day or two?

 

[LLLReptile]

Try backing off and give him a bit of space, and check that the basking site is high enough.

Doublecheck the usual stuff as well - how old is the UVB light, has anything major changed near his cage lately (new dog, kids coming over after school, anything like that?), things like that.

Can you give a bit more info about his setup and how long you've had him for?

-Jen

 

[vgaines]

Try backing off and give him a bit of space, and check that the basking site is high enough.

Doublecheck the usual stuff as well - how old is the UVB light, has anything major changed near his cage lately (new dog, kids coming over after school, anything like that?), things like that.

Can you give a bit more info about his setup and how long you've had him for?

-Jen

I have had him for a little over a year and a half. I have no idea his age but was told he was under a year old when I purchased him. I am upgrading him to the repti breeze 24x24x48 this month and he is in the 18x18x36 at the moment. He had a UVB?UVA tube light that is about 4 months old so I will be replacing it as well within the next month. Only big change is his misting machine stopped working last week. His cage is in my bedroom and only time we go in there is at night. I cover his cage at night so we do not disturb his sleep. We gave him a shower and he drank for a bit and just hung out under the mist. I took some pictures and I will post them as soon as I figure out how...lol

thanks
Virginia

PS His basking temp is 90-95 * and temp at bottom of cage is 72. I do not use heat or light at night and his lights are on a timer. On at 7 am off at 7 pm. As soon as the weather cool down a bit here in South Texas I will be ordering dubias, silk eggs and BB fly larva.

 

[jannb]

I hate to hear that Rebel is not eating. Usually there is a reason why they are not eating. Has he had a check up and fecal lately? Have you noticed anything else different about him? I have seen where they are just being fed so much food that they just get sick of being offered food all the time and stop eating for a few days but I doubt this is the case with you. His basking temp is really high but if that's what he's use to all the time then that shouldn't be the problem. I bask my adult male veiled in the high 80's. IMO it might be time for a vet visit.

Here's a thread on how to post pictures.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-post-photos-video-3609/

 

[vgaines]

Here are some pictures I took of Rebel today.... I noticed when he was out that he had some tiny pieces of dry skin stuck in the corners of his mouth and there was a small piece of fruit stuck on the side of his lip... He has always loved eating green and fruit so maybe that is why he didnt eat the crickets... I am thinking about going back to cup feeding his crickets so I can keep track of what he eats

 

[jannb]

He looks good and not thin at all. Hopefully he is ok. Keep us posted.

 

[vgaines]

He looks good and not thin at all. Hopefully he is ok. Keep us posted.

Thanks jannb. I will keep yall posted....

 

[Hoj]

Sorry to hear your lil man is giving you a scare.
You mention that his misting machine has stopped working but I didn't notice if you said what you are doing now for him for water other than the mention of a shower. Chameleons will sometimes stop eating when they are dehydrated, he doesn't look in any danger but maybe he is just not liking the change of his usual amount of water.

 

[vgaines]

Sorry to hear your lil man is giving you a scare.
You mention that his misting machine has stopped working but I didn't notice if you said what you are doing now for him for water other than the mention of a shower. Chameleons will sometimes stop eating when they are dehydrated, he doesn't look in any danger but maybe he is just not liking the change of his usual amount of water.

Sorry I forgot to mention that. I have been hand misting him and have a dripper going. I leave for work at 6 am and get home at 4 pm so i don't get in the number of mists he was getting with his automated mister. I am planning on purchasing a Mistking soon. Within the next month he will get a bigger home, a new uva/uvb light and a new mistking. Plus a bigger variety of live food. It's just that most places do not like to ship when it is hot out. We are still in the high 80s- low 90s most days..

 

[vgaines]

Update on Rebel

I was able to get Rebel to eat three wax worms ( i know, not the best thing) and a cricket when I hand fed him. I used a pair of feeding tongs and placed the worms and cricket right inside of his mouth when he opened his mouth to hiss at me. He ate them without hesitation. I am going to make him another feeder cup to place in his cage tonight.

Thanks,
Virginia