Veiled Chameleon sick!

[bella007]

Please Help!!!
I have a female Veiled Chameleon named Laila and she just laid her first clutch of infertile eggs a few days ago. Since then she has been nearly black in color, very lethargic, not really eating, and she has what looks to be like a lump behind one of her back legs. I went to petco and asked them what they thought and they said it was unusual because if she had trouble passing an egg then it wouldn't be above her leg. I called the nearest exotic pet hospital and they said she might be having trouble passing an egg. The only problem is that they are way to expensive for just the exam and consult. What do I do or what can I even do to help her?!?!?! I am so scared to lose her! I would attach pictures but I don't know how. Please help!!!

 

[kinyonga]

Did she bury the eggs? How many did she lay? Did she see you watching her while she was laying them?

Please answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum so we can help you better.

 

[bella007]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, female, not sure how old she was when I got her but I have had her for almost a year
Handling - I handle her a few times a week
Feeding - I feed her Crickets everyday, approx. 15-20 a day and they are gut-loaded with a gut-load mix I bought from petco
Supplements - I am not sure what brand I use, I also got it from petco, it is just a calcium supplement which I dust her crickets with for every feeding
Watering - I mist her several times a day for 2-3 minutes each time and I see her drinking each time
Fecal Description - she is usually just a basic green and goes a few shades light and dark. In the past few months she has had some yellowish-orange spots. During the past few days she has been nearly black! she hasn't been tested for parasites, she hasn't ever really been to the vet.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - full screen cage, I also bought it from petco and I believe it is an 18X18, I'm not sure what the third dimension is. (I am at work freaking out so I don't remember all of the little details sorry!)
Lighting - I have her UVB and her heat lamp which are on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours
Temperature - basking spot is between 80-85 and cage floor is 70-75. the lowest overnight temp is 70 and I have a thermometer in her cage
Humidity - I don't know what the humidity levels are, I just mist her several times a day
Plants - I have fake plants and I also have a potted money tree plant
Placement - Her cage is in the hall were not near any fans or air vents and I am typically the only traffic going past her
Location - Chicago, IL

Current Problem - See first post please!

 

[bella007]

~kinyonga~

I did not know she had eggs or was even going to lay them so she just laid them at the bottom of her cage. She did not see me watching her while she was laying them but I did see her at the bottom of the cage a few times but I did not know why. I just found them when I went to feed her and she laid 8 of them.

 

[kinyonga]

If she only laid eight and judging from the amount you feed her and the basking temperature I suspect she has more inside her. I would put a proper egglaying site in her cage immediately. You need an opaque container at least 12" deep by 12" x 8" filled with washed playsand sand that is moist enough to hold a tunnel. You could start a tunnel for her and put her in it and hopefully she will lay the rest of the eggs.

 

[bella007]

~kinyonga~

When I went to petco they told me that this type of bedding would be better than the sand. It came in a giant brick and you soak it to get it to the right texture. They also said adding some moss would help retain moisture. Is this stuff good also???

 

[kinyonga]

I've never used it but different people use different things...so it's worth a try. Especially since the sooner its in there the better.

 

[bella007]

~kinyonga~

ok thank you! I will set it up as soon as I get home from work!

 

[JoeVet]

The first thing to do is stop asking Petco for help. They sell animals but have no idea of their proper care. They often sell bad equipment for the pets and certainly give bad advice. You will do better asking answers here on these forums.