signs of aging?

[lele]

For those of you who have (or had) older chams I am wondering if there are "signs of old age." Cyrus (nosy be) is 4 1/2 and has been sleeping during the day and sometimes lethargic. His appetite is fine, fecal clean and health good. For some of you who know his history he has a neurological issue so can be a little "abnormal" at times anyway so I am allowing for that.

I am wondering if taking midday siestas is a sign of getting older in chams much like it is in people? I take him out to sit in the window and for walks to keep him from getting bored (he napped in the sun in the window yesterday).

The only old cham I have known personally was a friend in FL who had a huge panther (don't recall species) who was about 6 or 7. He was a bit grizzly looking, had some gnarly limbs, but I don't recall if she said he slept much.

Looking for long time keepers experience with aging chams. I like to think of Cy as a young stud, but he has been thru a lot in his life.

 

[pssh]

My veiled did not sleep during the day at all in his last years/months/days before he died. The night before he died he was very low to the ground and lethargic looking so I set up a comfy hammock for him and set him on it. I used a ceramic heater to warm the area a little for him since it was winter and he passed during the night. He was almost 7 when he died.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

They shouldnt be sleeping during the daytime no matter the age of the cham. Lets face it in the wild a sleeping cham during the daylight hrs is a quick meal for any predator. He should be slowing down and not moving around the cage as much. And you might start noticing his toes and joints getting arthritic but not daytime sleeping thats not a good sign. He needs to get a checkup.

 

[lele]

Hmmm...that's sort of what I figured I would hear - good point about in the wild (should have thought about that.) I recently moved and my herp vet is now 2 1/2 hours away. there is one here that I have taken him to, but I do not have great faith that he REALLY knows chams well and would find anything "hidden." Cy's neurological issue has him sleeping upside down and on his side - and sometimes in my sock drawer (this is his normal) so I always consider his unusual issues. But it might be time for trip back across the state and new set of x-rays to see if there are changes.

thanks for your experiences...
lele and Cy

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Wish I could help more. If you get a blood work up plz tell us the findings. Due to age his organs could just be starting to shut down. I hope thats not the case.... Good Luck

 

[lele]

tHE VET HERE ASKED ME WHERE MY OTHER VET TOOK BLOOD FROM cY. tHE FACT THAT HE HAD TO ASK HAD ME A LITTLE CONCERNed (oops, caps, sorry) that he would do it right As I recall, it was along the ventral side at base of tail. I'd like to at least get that done here. My old vet has the digital x-ray capabilities and knows Cy's history.

As I write this, he just drank, swallowed and then let himself fall (not to worry, he has branches galore to catch him!) so he can lay upside down on his branches for a while - he is quite the nutty guy

I will report back with test results...

 

[Hollywoodpanther]

I have a wild caught male Nosy Be that is approximately 6-7 years old. I say approximately because I have had him for 3 years come October and my brother had him 2.5 years before me, he came as a full grown adult from the wild.

I have noticed in the last year that he definitely is showing signs of aging, which include sleeping during the day, falling from his perch, trouble getting around his cage, getting himself stuck upside down and staying in the same spot for days on end. One day he will be super lethargic and seem to have a hard time, then the next day he's full of energy and back to his old self.

I have breed Panthers and Veilds sporatically over the last 11 years, along with a host of other herps and he is by the far the oldest I have ever had in the cham realm. My experience and research through other breeders indicates that the lifespan is 4-6 years with 6 pushing the limit.

I am a firm believer in that if they are eating, drinking, show no signs of obvious issues (i.e. infections, crusty eyes) and their stools are normal that they are generally in good health. Just like all animals as you age, things change, you have good days and bad days. That being said, as I have to tell my wife all the time with our dogs, if you are more comfortable taking him to a Vet, then I would always encourage you to do that.

 

[lele]

Thanks, hollywood. 7 years for a WC, that's nice. The friend in FL that I mentioned, Her Salvadore was WC, too and she had gotten him as an adult so his age was approx. He was a spry, old guy.

Because of Cy's problem in his head I am sort of curious to see if it has changed (thus the x-rays) and thinking a blood panel might not be a bad idea just to see where he is at. But you are right, Cy is like your guy in that he has good days and bad days. He will sometimes bury his head between 2 of his logs for 2 whole days. I have learned to just respect his quirky ways, but now they seem to be odder and longer duration. Then he will come to the front of the cage thirsty, with a voracious appetite and be happy to come out and sit in my lap while I work. I just weighed him and he is 162 (he is 6" s/v) which is a good weight for him. Maybe I'll just call my old vet and have a chat...

thx

 

[Olimpia]

Talk to the vet by phone, see if he recommends coming in. I really hope he's fine and does well for a good while longer, he sounds like a sweetie despite being a little quirky.

 

[jannb]

My daughter has a really old nosy be he's at least 6. He was WC and full grown and mature when she got him over 5 years ago. He never sleeps during the day but his grip is very weak and he can't shoot very good but he's still hanging in there.

You might find this old thread useful. https://www.chameleonforums.com/any-advice-old-veil-supplements-diet-11367/

 

[sandrachameleon]

My oldest panther chameleons (the very oldest so far being over 7) did not sleep during the day. Activity level did decrease, colour got slightly dull, and near the very end his limb coordination and strength of foot grip decreased. I felt he was also not intaking sufficient water without extra encouragement.