Sick Chameleon? Help.

[tiarashutes]

I am new here so excuse me if this is in the wrong area.. But my cousin recently got a Jackson Chameleon (first timer) and I personally think it's ill and not getting proper care.
For starters, the cage she got him is small. I'm not sure of the actual size but I will try to post pictures of it. It is also glass on 3 sides on the cage.
The next thing is that she does not have a UVB light. So I'm planning on buying her one tomorrow (any suggestions?) she also does not dust his crickets..

What made me look into all of this was when I actually saw Ezra, his ribs are visible and he was twitching the last time I saw him. I may be way off but hopefully you guys can help me out! I don't want her chameleon to suffer/die.

Sorry the pictures aren't the best quality but they're the most recent ones I have.

 

[christinecollins87]

poor thing i have a jackson too a 24x24x36 but what i have been reading on this forum bigger is better.

 

[Meow Kitty]

twitchy? like walking back and forth kinda looks like yoour watching a video and it keeps buffering? thats a leaf walk its normal
from the pictures it looks ok, as far as a UV light id go with a 20 w incandescent reptiglow 5.0 then go to walmart and buy a 24in cabinet/ incandescent light fixture the bulb will be around 20$ at a local pet store and the fixture 10$ at Walmart. Im not really a jackson expert but

 

[christinecollins87]

He is going to need calcium it you have him in the sun you want to get it without d3 he he isnt in the sun then you are going to need d3 and mulit vitamins

 

[tiarashutes]

Yeah, his entire upper body was twitching to the right. He was on a flat surface. But yes he has also been very wobbly when I've seen him. The front is screen and the top is screen. We live in Lower San Diego, so it's normally hot here. Also she lets him go in the backyard on the tree to get some sun.

 

[Meow Kitty]

Fill this out the best you can as i know its not your chameleon it would help people familiar with jackson chameleons determine if that chameleon has good husbandry.



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.

 

[Jac1582]

If your cousin isn't worried about him at all you might want to adopt him. Once you get worked out with this problem, poor husbandry will cause another one sadly. It seems like you care greatly so welcome here!

 

[Elizadolots]

He doesn't look overly thin to me. Jackson's are not as full bodied as Veileds and Panthers are. Ribs are typically visible on chameleons because they are right under the skin (I guess so they can flatten out, something they are amazing at).

I don't know how small the enclosure is, but 3 glass sides is not bad. With one screened side (or front) and a screened top, ventilation will be very good.

She should get a UVB light, or give him 2 or 3 hours outside a week (very doable most of the year in San Diego). I would recommend getting the UVB light and trying to get as much supervised time in the sun as possible. This board recommends the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube. You can usually get them at Pet Smart but if not, LLL on Mission Gorge Road has them. You can buy a fixture at any of the big box hardware stores (there's a Home Depot right by LLL!).

Jackson's are often not supplemented as much as Veileds and Panthers. I still would recommend she have and use plain calcium without D3 every day. A multi-vitamin used once or twice a month would be good. If the animal is getting natural sun for 2 or 3 hours a week it probably does not need a D3 supplement at all, but it would not be bad if the multivitamin had D3 in it.

The thing that concerns me the most is letting the chameleon climb the tree. That is a perilous situation. There are lots of predator birds in San Diego and you do not want a hawk or an owl grabbing that handsome guy. Make sure that situation is very controlled and that there is more than one set of eyes on it all the time.

 

[tiarashutes]

Your Chameleon - Jackson, male, she's had him for about 2 weeks
Handling - Daily I believe, just taking him from his cage to the backyard. maybe more I'm not sure.
Feeding - Live crickets from Pet Co, 3-4 a day
Supplements - None
Watering - Dripper, and I'm not sure how long/how much misting she does a day, yes i've seen him drink, not much though.
Fecal Description - green, a few dark spots every now and then. I dont think he has been tested for parasites
History - She hasn't had him long, and the guy she got him from had him for about 2 months.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Glass and screen, She has it set up vertically but it is still very small. Ill add dementions when I find out.
Lighting - She does not have a lighting source the cage is near her window
Temperature - The normal temperature in her house is mainly 75,
Humidity - I'm not sure, she mists frequently, well she says she does.
Plants - She has a live plant, not sure exact type.
Placement - In front of window, on her stand, which is pretty high.
Location - Southern California

Current Problem - Very boney and wobbly. Unstable balance.

Sorry guys I don't live with her and don't know much. I answered what I could and will try to fill out more when she gets back to me. Anything you can offer will be useful, open for suggestions and tips, thank you!

 

[Meow Kitty]

does the wobble look like this? if so its what chameleons do to imitate leafs blowing in the wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c7XiwSM-oA
dez' ^ vid

 

[tiarashutes]

Okay, thank you. the only type of chameleon that I am used to caring for was my veiled chameleon and I really dont know much about Jacksons it just seemed off to me. I feel slightly relieved and will check on getting the UVB light. And the tree is not that tall, we normally sit outside with him and its a side yard so the other house blocks off a lot so I think he'll be okay. She is good at keeping an eye on him when outside.

 

[tiarashutes]

Oh yes! thank goodness!! But the twitching looked more like a seizure. Maybe it was nothing, but you can never be too sure.