Urgent!

[tkilgour]

Is your chameleon a screen climber? If so, it is possible he has worn out his nails. If his nails are worn, he will slip off the screen more, have a loose grip on branches and not be able to climb as well. Just thought I would throw that out there for you. I would examine his nails and re-evaluate your gutloading and supplementation. He looks like a very attractive, and healthy guy.

 

[ColeCham]

yes! he is a screen climber. How would i be able to fix that though or help his nails?

 

[tkilgour]

If his nails are still present, but little stubs they will grow back. If they are totally gone, they most likely will not come back, but he will be fine.

You can get the plastic landscape barrier fencing from Lowes or homedepot and line the sides with it. (Personally, I think it takes away from the beauty of the enclosure) You can also add more vines and run rows of vines from top to bottom on the screened sides. You can also add more foliage and highways so they are encouraged to walk more on the vines and sticks as compared to the screen.

 

[ColeCham]

His nails are still present but do look kind of dull, and I think that's what I'll have to do! thanks a lot!

 

[kinyonga]

Regardless of why your chameleon is falling, you need to correct the supplements. The insects should be dusted (not heavily) with a phos.-free calcium powder before being fed to your chameleon at most feedings. This is to make up for the usually poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus found in the insects.

Its recommended to dust twice a month (lightly) with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder. This ensures that the chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it and leaves it to produce the rest from its exposure to UVB.
D3 from supplements can build up in the system and cause problems so you don't want to overdo it. D3 produced from exposure to the UVB should not build up as long as the chameleon can move away from it.

BTW...what UVB light do you use and is it a compact, spiral, long linear tube light or what?? Does it pass through glass or plastic?

It is also recommended to dust twice a month with a vitamin powder containing a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A. If the chameleon needs it you can dust once in a while with a vitamin powder that has a prEformed source of vitamin A...but be aware that excess prEformed vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD.

Gutloading/feeding your insects is important and its important to provide appropriate temperatures to aid in digestion.

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are all important nutrients in bone health and they need to be in balance. You need to look at what you feed the insect, the chameleon and what you supplement with to balance them.

As for the falling, there could be a number of reasons for it. If it continues, I would recommend that you take it to a vet.

 

[dmaizer]

Chameleon Info:
* Fecal Description - His feces looks fine, and yes he's had his shots

what does that mean???? shots for what???

 

[ColeCham]

Thanks everyone for your input! I bought 3 more vines and he seems thrilled! That's all he's been walking on for the past 2 days, and he's stayed off his screen!

 

[tkilgour]

Great, I am glad I could help. I have had a few chams wear their nails on the screen too. Over time and from help off this forum I have learned to correct the issue. Therefore, I am glad I was able to help you. I am sure your boy thanks you!

 

[Ellron]

What does " Yes, hes had his shots " mean? What shots?

 

[ColeCham]

Tkilgour I owe you! Thanks a million again!

And down here they get a shot once a year to protect them from parasites