Slow Grower, or is something wrong with my care..

[sandrachameleon]

Test for parasites to rule that out. Increase cage size if you can. Improved gutload wouldnt hurt
Otherwise, patience. They grow at different rates.
Know also that yours may just be a "runt" - now and then you'll find one that doesnt grow as large as average. Doesnt usually effect health.

 

[Pilotman800]

My guy is 5 months old and only 18 grams. Has me worried, but then again, he does have two separate infections which are being treated.

Although your guy may be a bit small, he looks very handsome.

 

[laurie]

This little angel came to me very small. She was perfect, just small. I had to almost kill Kent to get her.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/still-smallest-panther-smidg-30521/

 

[ChameleonRave]

I will bring in a fecal sample to get a fecal smear and float to test for parasites. What do you suggest for a better gutload?

 

[jannb]

I agree with a fecal. Cricket Crack is an excellent dry gutload. Try feeding some silks and horns. They fattened Elly right up.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I agree with a fecal. Cricket Crack is an excellent dry gutload. Try feeding some silks and horns. They fattened Elly right up.

That will be his christmas present from me. With a new cage and new lights. haha. I don't know if some of the other members that have been on for quite sometime, but I had the same problem with Darwin. He is now the size of Delilah and is getting even bigger!

 

[jannb]

That will be his christmas present from me. With a new cage and new lights. haha. I don't know if some of the other members that have been on for quite sometime, but I had the same problem with Darwin. He is now the size of Delilah and is getting even bigger!

Yea, they will continue to fill out with age. It's like they never stop growing.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Yea, they will continue to fill out with age. It's like they never stop growing.

It's like having a mini-massive dinosaur in my house... Well quite a few of them. haha.

 

[sandrachameleon]

silkworms are great as an additional feeder choice.

To your existing gutload items you might add a few seeds and nuts (B vitamins, vitamin E, folate, potasium, iron, copper, magnesium, maganese, selenium), a little dried kelp (iodine, calcium, magnesium), spirulina, alfalfa (protein, vitamins including K), butternut squash, grape vine leaves, papaya, small slices of oranges (not peel), mustard greens, dandelion leaves. Cricket crack and Respasy Bug Burger are things you can buy ready-made to supplement your existing gutloading practises.
You might also consider gutloading for more than 24 hours.

Here are some links regarding gutloading you may find useful:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-nuts-seeds-healthy-part-perfect-gutload.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/215-oxalic-acid-content-vegetables.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ferretinmyshoes/446-basics-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...sphorus-ratios-common-good-gutload-foods.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/425-may-2011-gutload.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/367-gutload-recipe-october-2010.html

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Sandra I noticed you said no peel for the oranges. Why do you remove the peel?

 

[tdotcham]

also curious... mine always seem to just eat the orange and leave the peel

 

[Fool2Think]

To test your scale, put a nickel on it, it should weigh 5 grams.

 

[ChameleonRave]

To test your scale, put a nickel on it, it should weigh 5 grams.

Just did so, and it came out to be 5 grams.

 

[ChameleonRave]

5 gram nickel...

 

[sarah777]

11 grams Yeah I'd also like to see a picture with something to compare his size with. I put him at just turning 7 months but that is still super small. His hatch date was between Aprill 25 - May 5th. And you got him in mid July. Was he ever sick in your care? That can stunt their growth.

 

[marco]

Everything that you are doing seems to be right. Some panthers just seem to take longer to mature and I have also heard that crosses seem to be smaller but I don't know if that is true or not. I weigh all my chams with that exact scale and have never had any problems with it. He seems very small though, my 8 and a half month old Sambava weighs 150 grams. I hope everything turns out ok with him and he starts to grow. Good luck with him!

 

[abramyan]

Maybe he has bad genes? It is possible that his sire and dam were very small hence resulting in his size. You never know.

 

[ChameleonRave]

11 grams Yeah I'd also like to see a picture with something to compare his size with. I put him at just turning 7 months but that is still super small. His hatch date was between Aprill 25 - May 5th. And you got him in mid July. Was he ever sick in your care? That can stunt their growth.

He hasn't been sick once since I got him. He drinks up all the water he can, and when he eats he eats it all up. I tried to get a picture of him on my PetSmart card the size of a debit/credit card but he wouldn't stay in one spot long enough for me to get a picture. I'll be trying as the day goes on.

 

[sarah777]

Maybe he has bad genes? It is possible that his sire and dam were very small hence resulting in his size. You never know.

FYI I have both parents and both are huge from very reputable breeders

 

[sarah777]

Zac, I would get a fecal done (as mentioned before) my vet let's me drop off a fresh fecal and only charges $17.