Veiled not eating, lathargic

[Veiledviscorous]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled Chameleon, male, 3.9 years. How long has it been in your care? 3.6 years
Handling- Once or twice a year.
Feeding - Crickets and meal worms, every other day, dusted twice a week. Crickets are gut loaded using a mixture of supplemented foods, and regular vitamin rich foods
Watering - Misting, two to three times a day for approximately 5 minutes each time. Most of the time, water is dripped into mouth
Fecal Description -Solid, white and black. Parasite free
History - Generally very aggressive and territorial.

Cage Info:
Cage Type -Screen 18.5" W x 18.5" L X 6.0' H
Lighting - Lights on at about 6:00 AM and off at 9:00 PM
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? temp at about 80-90 degrees. Lowest overnight temp? 78 degrees. How do you measure these temps? In enclosure thermometer
Humidity -40-60%. Maintained with environment and with daily misting. Measured with a humidity reader
Plants - Fake plants with some real wood branches. ( Cleaned disinfected and have been in the cage for over a year)
Placement - Back room with little to no traffic save for aunt going to bed around 9-10PM
Location - Austin, Texas

Current Problem -
Okay, so it's been a while since I've been here, but I'm turning to the world of cham. experts for help yet again.
I got a call from my dad today saying that my veiled chameleon, Viscorous, who is normally quick to snatch up food, and is fairly aggressive as most males are, wasn't eating and he wouldn't even puff up and hiss when my dad touched him. These are two way off kilter things for him. To check and see if Vis was having trouble seeing, or something my dad performed a check, and found that vis can see just fine. He wouldn't take crickets, or the meal worms ( Which are his favorite). His feces apparently is normal, he's drinking and not dehydrated... I don't know what to do or what to tell my dad to do. The only thing I can think of is to take Vis to the vet.
Does any one have any suggestions? Any idea what could be wrong with him? Please help me.
Thank you so much for helping me out.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, is this problem just today? Perhaps he's just due a shed and is feeling blue?
For detailed help though, detailed info. is required so I wouldn't want to just guess what is wrong.......

This is the how to ask for help sticky if you want to fill it out....

How to ask for help
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[jannb]

At four years old I would not hesitate to get him right to the vet. Do you have a good chameleon vet? If not you might be able to find one here.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/

 

[Veiledviscorous]

At four years old I would not hesitate to get him right to the vet. Do you have a good chameleon vet? If not you might be able to find one here.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/

I have a good chameleon vet, who's the primary exotic specialist at our clinic. I'll let my dad know. He's obviously gotta wait until Monday, or even later to get an appointment, but until then, I can have him keep me posted on Vis's progress (good or bad).

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

I hope your boy is just on a quick hiatus, but I have to tell you, your sig is so profoundly accurate, anyone with chronic pain will truly get how poetic it is
anne

 

[Veiledviscorous]

I hope your boy is just on a quick hiatus, but I have to tell you, your sig is so profoundly accurate, anyone with chronic pain will truly get how poetic it is
anne

Thanks. I really hope that he's okay. I'm actually up in Fort Collins, CO going to school so I can't even be there for him. This is not a good week for me.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

I know its stressful with it being the weekend, but if Jann says Vet time, I trust her judgment completely.

It is very cool that your Dad takes care of him while you are at school, kudos to your Dad!!

 

[bechsgaard]

since he is relatively old, you should bring him to the vet, it may be a parasitic infection, or hes just soon to shed. It may even be he is on a hunger strike,sometimes when mine are on hunger strikes, they mellow down. good luck

 

[ataraxia]

is his colors darker or lighter than usual?

Is he closing his eyes?

How many mealworms does he get in a feeding and how often?

He could be cold. Up here the weather is starting to get a bit chilly at night. If he is near any windows or exterior doors he could be getting a draft.

 

[Veiledviscorous]

Update:

To all of you who offered me advice about Viscorous, thank you so much. My parents took him to the vet where he was given a clean bill of health save for a mild infection, and an increased salmonella count. He was given anti-biotics and seemed to a have made a great recovery.
Unfortunately, I was told today, that Vis has passed on. No one knows why, how, or exactly when (It happened sometime last night).
He was a great chameleon, I loved him like I love my furry friends. I will miss him greatly. My father did him the honor of burying him underneath his favorite lilac tree in our front yard.

Again, to all of you, for the advice. From the very beginning when I had no clue what I was doing, and even in the later days. I really appreciate your guys' help with raising my boy.

R.I.P Viscorous, "Grumpy Old Man", "Monster"
December 6, 2008 - November 26, 2011
You will be fondly remembered and never forgotten.

 

[Pilotman800]

Awww, I'm sorry to hear that.

RIP Viscorous. What nice pictures of him.

 

[danibug23]

im deeply sorry for your loss