Sick chameleon

[Stevie2244]

I recently adopted two veiled chameleon babies that were extremely sick looking; thin, slept during day, possible sunken eyes, etc.
One of them is eating and drinking pretty good. But the other won't eat or drink is pale or dark (stressed) I'm trying not to handle them, but I'm not sure how to get him to eat

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. Please post some photos of your two babies and their set up so that we can better help you

 

[Stevie2244]

The set up is temporary. We're working on building a new one

 

[kinyonga]

Were they both in he same cage at the store? I would separate them...it might be too late to worry about her wise, but it might help stress wise.

What bulbs do you have in the fixture on he left side of the lid?
If one is a curly/twisted UVB it needs to be changed ASAP. @Beman can help you with the lights.

What temperatures do you have in the cage and basking area?

Even as a temporary cage, there are a lot of things that are not good enough for even a little while.

 

[Stevie2244]

I have a new UVB light on the way. Unfortunately none of the stores in town had any better ones. The basking area is 90° the rest is around 80° and yes they were together in the store. Thanks for the help btw.

 

[Sonny13]

Hi and welcome,

Great you´ve adopted these two

Your temps are too hot for a baby cham and ventilation will play a big role in their health. An aquarium has no natural airflow (creating stagnant air), this is in combination with the high temps and the misting (high humidity), is a playground for bacterial growth and developing a respiratory infection.

Here some information about keeping veiled´s, I belief basking for juveniles should be max. 78 but @jannb and @kinyonga are more experienced with juveniles.
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/

 

[Stevie2244]

Oh, ok. So they need better air flow and slightly lower Temps. Will that help the first chameleon eat? I ordered some reptivite, should be here Friday. I'm just worried he's not going to take any food. Would it be ok if I picked him up and took him outside for a little bit?

 

[Sonny13]

Some natural sunlight will always do them good, but personally I won´t pick him up with your hands and use a small twig. Just put it in the length under his belly and gently lift it. Then put him on a plant or something in the sun and keep supervising (they´re quick opportunists)

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. Making sure your feeders are the appropriate size is also important. Anything larger than the space between the eyes is too big.

 

[Stevie2244]

I got one to eat a lot. She's doing a lot better already. Still worried about the other one tho.

 

[Sonny13]

Hope they both keep strong and coming through

 

[Beman]

It is way too hot for them... especially since they are in a tank... max 78 at basking for babies this small. The rest of the cage should be low 70's. There is also the added issue of no airflow. Increased risk of a respiratory infection with them being in a tank.

 

[kinyonga]

I have a new UVB light on the way. Unfortunately none of the stores in town had any better ones. The basking area is 90° the rest is around 80° and yes they were together in the store. Thanks for the help btw.

This is too hot for those chameleons...especially at that size. @Beman has already talked about the temperatures.

I don't use real basking lights on baby veileds at all...I have used double long linear fluorescent fixtures over their cages with a 40 watt bulb in the winter if it was needed. (I actually used plant stands/hoods for their cages.)
http://www.chameleonnews.com/02NovHorgan_files/cagerack.jpg

Back in the good old days, I did use aquariums..but you had to set up the lights to create air flow...chimney effect.

 

[Stevie2244]

I'm both happy and upset. My female just hunted a cricket on her own and may have just figured out how to use the dripper. (Also got them a new plant, she loves it)
But my male looks like he could die at any second.. I think it's because he wasn't fed enough? Maybe didn't get calcium or something. Definitely will not be buying veils from that pet store again..

 

[Tkrd69]

Glad to hear your female is doing better I hope the male perks up too

 

[Jpeff]

When stressed and keep more then one in cage. They usually don't thrive or get better when sick because stress is still there so won't get better. A fish tank is not way to go if want them to get better

 

[hector07]

Any update with your cham?