sick camm

[trdguy]

hi i recently got a panther from my friend. he could no longer house the thing since he was moving out the country
now he is 3 months old. when i recived him is was in tip top shape now he wont eat or drink and is very dark
he is in a 20 gallon long tank with ample hiding sopts and branches. he was good the first few days now its been 2 days and still a bowl full of crickets.
tep is 75* in hot spot and low 60's every where else
i spray 3 times aday
uvb/uva is a single compact long( should i change this)
honestly can someone help me out
thank
phil

 

[Sang]

First off. the tank is terrible for him. you need to get a mesh wire cage.

second the basking temp should be at least 85.. if he is dark its cause he is cold. and ambient at least 75.

what kind of uva/uvb brand?

basking lamp?

 

[skeeta]

I know you are anxious, but try and answer the following questions IN DETAIL so the expert keepers have a better chance of helping you and your little buddy. Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage construction (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and type 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?
Location - 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?

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.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

Your bulb sounds like trouble.
Pictures are most helpful.

You came to the right place, Good luck!

 

[skeeta]

Welcome to the forums by the way! There are lots of knowledgeable/good people here.

 

[trdguy]

reply

[
Cage Type - glass- 30long X12highX 16 wide
Lighting - zoomed reptal sun 5.0 compact 26W, 6 am - 7pm heat lamp is a 50 W black light
Temperature - temp is like 80*/ 68 cool day time and 70*/65 night i have a thermocouple that i took from work
Humidity -dont know they said long as i spray i should be fine

Plants - normal house plant , dont know the name

Location - is close to the window no traffic just me
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - all i know its a mlae and panther.
Handling - i picked him up twice since i got him
Feeding - crickets about 5 or 6 1/2'' How are you gut-loading your feeders? never done this its about 4 pm
Supplements - some rep cal stuff and sticky tounge
Watering - mist bottle ,3 times a day
Do you see your chameleon drinking? i used to not anymore
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings.dark blakc Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? i havent

History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.
wont eat dark not active jsut curls his tail like when he is sleeping
Your bulb sounds like trouble.
Pictures are most helpful.

You came to the right place, Good luck![/QUOTE]

 

[trdguy]

thanks i know i still have alot to learn

 

[reptilegod324]

You really need to put him in a screen cage and you said you had a compact bulb, those are bad they can make your cham go blind you need a linear tube bulb.

The reason hes dark is because its to cold in his tank and this also probably why hes not eating. If your any good at building things you could make a cage for around $30.

Everything else sounds pretty good but you need to get on those things listed ASAP

 

[jannb]

You need to get this little guy out of that glass terrarium and into a screened enclosure. Compact bulbs are not good. They damage your chams eyes. Get a tube style, Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb and a 40 to 60 watt basking light. You need a way to measure the temp & humidity. You should be misting 2 to 3 time a day with warm water. Put some live plants in the screened enclosure. You need to gutload your feeders and dust with 3 different kinds of dust. Use plain Calcium at just about every feeding, calcium with D3 2 to 3times a month and Herptivite once or twice a month. Where do you live? Do you have a vet for your chameleon? Jann

 

[sttines]

The heat and lighting may bring him around so make those improvements ASAP!!! Some animals will not dish feed. Once he's warmed and more alert he may eat but try a few loose crickets and he may be encouraged to hunt, thus increase activity. Lose the tank, too. Flies are nice, too and cannot be dish fed.

 

[kinyonga]

Is the set-up you have him in right now the same one that his previous owner had him in with no changes?

Does he keep his eyes closed during the day? He will not look at the black light as a source of heat. Does he sit high or low in the cage? You also said that the warmest temperature was 75 and then you said 80...which is it?? 75 isn't warm enough which could account for his dark colors...as reptilegod already said. The compact light is likely a big part of the problem too.