Senegal won't eat, help!

[polemonkey]

Hi, I am new to this. But, I recently adopted a female? Senegal. She wouldn't eat the first three days I had her, so I started force feeding her crickets, about two a day, and still am. The cage is screened 48"hx12"wx24"l full of things for here to climb on, with a heat lamp and uvb light on top. She also gets plenty of natural sun light through the window. I mist the cage twice a day and it has a drip system, that she drinks from regularly. She has the body length of 5", but is what I deem to be skinny. How can I spark her apatite? And also, any other information about this specie would be great, since little is out there. Like where do they come from, do I have to worry about it get pregnant, preferred food, vegetation, etc? Thanks, Stuart.

 

[polemonkey]

To add her fices is orange and white. And she is very active, even though I have caught her with her eyes closed during the day. The temp. in my house is 65F, but depending on where she is in the cage it could be that cold or it could be upwards of almost 80-90F at the top of the cage. She spends all of her time at the top. At night I heat the cage and blanket it to keep the warmth in, but it never gets below 65F or higher than 75F at night. Thanks, Stuart

 

[kinyonga]

She shouldn't be sitting with her eyes shut during the day. It might be that she has parasites...so a fecal might be a good idea. Will she not eat on her own at all? I hate having to force feed due to the stress it creates with a Senegal.

When she is drinking and her mouth is opening and shutting, try sticking the head end of a cricket between her teeth and see if she takes it in on her own.

 

[blackbetty]

NOt sure if this is accurate.. Just did a google search (and in the process found that a lot of people have apparently bought this locale at flea markets!)


Nix that first link, Bad info.

And here is one from our favorite forum: https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-new-senegal-chameleon-10060/

Also, its going to take her some time to adjust to her environment and that might nix her appetite. How old is she? Where did you receive her from? Do you know if she recently laid eggs?

 

[laurie]

I have had senegalsfor about 18 months, just sold my last one. Here is my expierence, your cage is too big, you need to provide lots of cover for hiding places, senegals take time to adjust. Stay away from the chameleon for several days, if it is wild caught,and at least 99% are, it most likely has parasites. get a fecal sample to a vet ASAP. Provide lots and lots of drinking water, dripper, misting, whatever, but lots. Make sure cage is dry before cham goes to sleep. Last leave a few, like 5 or 6 crickets in the cage and count to see if it is eating. Forcing it to eat may stress it to the point of killing it.

Most inportant in this rambling are VET & Water. hope this helps.

 

[polemonkey]

Okay, about the vet, I don't have funds right now. How much does a visit usually cost? And can I smear some of her fecies on a slide and look for parasites(because I am sure thats what the vet does) and if she has parasites what do I give her.

 

[polemonkey]

I got her from a reptile expo, I know she is a yearling, no she has not laid eggs, and the lady said she was parasite and worm free, but you can't always believe what is said.

 

[GooglezNvincent]

She also gets plenty of natural sun light through the window.

What type of UVB b cuz glass filters out uvb from sunlight so that does nothing for her, sorry to say

 

[chamelisa]

...if it is wild caught,and at least 99% are, it most likely has parasites. get a fecal sample to a vet ASAP.

This is exactly what I'd do too. They do come in with a lot of parasites and if her eyes are closed, it's pretty bad. Get a vet to do a fecal today if you can and so you can start the proper treatment.

Even when they come in heavily infested with parasites, they will eat a lot of insects. I took in several years back (from a F&W confiscation) and when I offered them crickets, they walked right down into the cup I was holding to eat them. They had just come out of the bag from LAX.

Not a single cricket got away from them. They were that hungry! They are great chameleons but you have to clear them of the parasite load.

Good luck!

 

[kinyonga]

blackbetty...this site has some pretty poor information and the photo at the top isn't even a Senegal.

 

[polemonkey]

Thanks for all the help,
She is still not eating and I am going to slide the fecies to look for parasites. If she does have parasites what type of anti-biotics do I give her, do I have to have persicption or can I get over the counter? Thanks

 

[blackbetty]

Kin: I didnt read it. I just did a google search and copied and pasted. I dont own a senegal so I have No clue what they look like. Ill remove the first one then. Thanks for letting me know.