Sleeping and Not Eating

S

SuperMeg

New Member
Hello, I have a 6 month old veiled chameleon named Walter. He has been fine since I purchased him over a month ago. He recently in the last few days has not been eating by himself and has been sleeping during the day. I know that this is a sign of failing health. He is housed in an extra large exo terra terrarium. His bulbs are ex terra 5.0's and his temp is between 75 - 85 during the day and 65-75 during the night. Hydro meters are at normal levels (45-60% humidity) . I have been hand feeding him but am really worried about my little guy. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas about what could be wrong? Thank you!
 
Hi, I'm sorry your chameleon is doing poorly. It's probably best to complete the How To Ask For Help form.

Just click on that link, copy the questions, paste them into a reply and add your responses.

That will minimize the number of questions people ask you. It will not eliminate them! There are always questions! but they'll be a lot more focused after "the form".
 
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled chameleon, Male, 7 months old. Has been in my care for a month.
Handling - Handled around twice a day.
Feeding - 3 week old crickets - 5 a day once a day. Crickets are fed Flunkers high calcium cricket diet
Watering - Misting and yes he is drinking. He is very hydrated.
Fecal Description - His droppings are dark brown and white. They a semi solid the past few days.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - Exo Terra Glass Screen Combo - 45 x 45 x 60 in dimensions.
Lighting - Exo Terra 5.0 Turn on around 8 am and off around 8 pm
Temperature - Daytime temp averages around 80 F
Lowest overnight temp - averages around 70 F This is measured by a thermometer located inside the terrarium.
Humidity - averages between 45 - 55 % and is measured by a hydrometer located inside the terrarium. I have a mister that goes around 3 times a day
Plants - fake plants
Location - I am located in Alberta Canada

Current Problem - Sleeping during the day and not eating.
 
sorry that your cham seems to be sick :(

just a quick question, what supplements do you dust your crickets with?
also, does he have a basking bulb?
 
Last edited:
I have been using a liquid calcium supplement. Should I get the dusting powder as well? And yes he has a bulb for basking.
 
If you are not using supplements that is your problem you need Rep-cal plain Calcium with NO D3 every feeding and Rep-cal Calcium with D3 and Rep-cal herptivite multivitamin you use twice a month just use the plain calcium everyday but every Sunday switch between the calcium with D3 and the multivitamin so he gets them twice a month :) hope this helps if you aren't doing this already :)
 
Thank you so much for the information! I hope this helps! Picking it up tonight. I will let you know how it goes!
 
SuperMeg said:
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled chameleon, Male, 7 months old. Has been in my care for a month.
Handling - Handled around twice a day.
Feeding - 3 week old crickets - 5 a day once a day. Crickets are fed Flunkers high calcium cricket diet
At 7months he should be eating larger crickets,he could probably have no issue with adult crickets
Also, your gutloading is simply insufficient. Please refer to member Sandrachameleons gutloading blogs. What your crickets eat, your cham eats. This is a very important part of husbandry. I also suggest offering more of a variety of feeders, yet another important part.
Watering - Misting and yes he is drinking. He is very hydrated.
Fecal Description - His droppings are dark brown and white. They a semi solid the past few days.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Exo Terra Glass Screen Combo - 45 x 45 x 60 in dimensions.
Lighting - Exo Terra 5.0 Turn on around 8 am and off around 8 pm
Temperature - Daytime temp averages around 80 F
Lowest overnight temp - averages around 70 F This is measured by a thermometer located inside the terrarium.
Humidity - averages between 45 - 55 % and is measured by a hydrometer located inside the terrarium. I have a mister that goes around 3 times a day
Plants - fake plants
Location - I am located in Alberta Canada

Current Problem - Sleeping during the day and not eating.
Click to expand...

Answers in red.

I also do not see anything on supplements. His feeders should be dusted daily with plain calcium, bi monthly with calcium w/vitamin d3 and bi monthly with a multivitamin.

Or Repashys Calcium plus 4 to 5 times weekly would be a good choice for its simplicity. If you go this route, it will be the only supplement you need.
 
Thank you. What do you use to gutload your feeders? I do give them lettuce along with their feed. I got the calcium powder for dusting but I can't get him to eat. I got mealworms as well. He just does not seem interested in eating anything. I have tried him with the larger crickets but he spits them out. I have an appointment at the vet tomorrow.
 
find blogs by sandrachameleoon on gutloading, fruits, vegggies, nuts, things like that are used.

if hes reaching adult age, he may not be hungry everyday. so try going a day or so without offering food, then try again.
 
I would bump up basking temp to 90f. Be careful he can't burn himself on bulb. Does he have a basking bulb?
 
I am more concerned with the sleeping part. I see you have your lights on from 8 to 8. Does he sleep all day or only near sunrise and sundown? My veiled turns in by about 6:30 or 7pm even if the lights are on in his enclosure due to the sun going down outside. I would be concerned if it was noon and he was sleeping, but not so much later in the day. I have two basking spots for my guy, and the hotter is about 90 to 94 degrees. This is the one he spends most of his basking time at. 80 degrees (non-basking) for the top of the enclosure should be fine. Your cham is also starting to get near the age when he may not eat every day. If he is not loosing weight it may be normal. Have you given any collard greens or kale for him to eat? Veiled's do like to munch on greens! :D This can be a good supplement for him while he is not eating as much and you can use as a gutload, too!. I have seen many threads where chams have not eaten for over a week and are fine. Having said that, when in doubt, a trip to the vet may be the best thing.
 
He is sleeping during the day not just near the end of the day. He will wake up take a few steps and then sleeps again. He is basking. I hope the vet can help me tomorrow.
 
I agree with everyone about the gutload being insufficient. I use a dry gutload called cricket crack, along with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I think the vet visit was a great call, you should probably get a fecal just to make sure it's not something he caught from his feeders. ( I have had a few fecal exams come back positive on captive bred animals that contracted parasitic infections from feeders in the past.)

Good luck, I hope your guy feels better.
 
What type of activity is around his cage? Other chameleons, human traffic, other pets such as dogs, cats, birds? Ruth
 
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