Yemin Chameleon not looking too hot :s

[lurchy0069]

Hey guys im new here and to keeping chameleons. ive recently started working for my local reptile shop. tho chameleons arent generally in stock. ive got snakes, beardies, spiders and a scorpion already. the guys at the shop gave me a yemin chameleon someone had brought in. hes not looking good tho. they passed him on because i can give him more one on one care. so to speak. but hes looking really thin, isn't overly active and as far as i can tel spends most of his time with his eyes shut and ive not seen him eat in over a week. he's drinking though and im suplimenting his water with reptiboost to see if he'll perk up and start eating. other than that has any one got any suggestions? Any help would be greatly receiced. Cheers guys

 

[Basilisk09]

As long as he has all the basics for husbandry, just let him be for now. Free roam his food or have it in a dish/tupperware and let him re cooperate on his own. He shouldn't be sleeping during the day, and shouldn't be on the ground very much (if he is). You could do superworms, silkworms, hornworms, roaches etc. to get him fatter if hes pretty skinny.

 

[kinyonga]

What brand and type (spiral, compact, long linear tube, etc.) UVB light do you use? Do you know what type his previous owner used?

Unless you know more of his background information it will be hard to know what's wrong with him unless he is showing obvious signs.

Can you post a photo or two of him please?

 

[lurchy0069]

He on crickets and wax worms atm. but as i said not eating. Before i got him when he was at shop he was on an exo terra bulb. one of the mucuary ones. before that i dont know.
Now ive got him on a reptiglow 5.0. one of the spiral bulbs. and a moon glow bulb at night.
Heres a few pictures if photobucket works?

 

[Thompson]

He looks malnourished and dehydrated. How are his urates looking? The spiral bulb could be causing some eye problems but I've read the new ones are the safe ones so that may not be the problem. I wouldn't have a light on at night either, he needs a temp drop and total darkness so he can sleep.

 

[millerman6401]

get rid of the spiral uvb and get a linear repti-sun 5.o and he will perk up...shut off the spiral immdeiatley. it can cause blindness and a host of many other problems. he is closing his eyes because its emmiting too much uvb from what i understand. see if that works.

 

[lurchy0069]

Thats random. i would of thought any uvb 5.0 would have done the job? So basically drop the light level a bit. should get him seeing better which should in theory get him eatin again?

 

[Thompson]

I have the new spiral reptisun 5.0 uvb bulb. The new ones are supposedly the safe ones. I haven't had a problem yet with mine.

 

[hinoco1225]

Definitely cut all lights at night. They need a drop in temp and darkness at night in order to properly sleep and recharge. Also, it would be helpful if you fill out the "How to ask for help form" so that we can give you more suggestions.


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.

 

[lurchy0069]

Its a yemin chameleon. dont know sex or age but im guess he not that old? Ive had him a week but wasn't looking great when he was given to me.
im not really handling him for this reason.
hes on size two crickets and wax worms. but hasnt eaten since i got him.
I suppliment them with (i think zoomed) supliment. the general diet one. sorry
so vauge. i dobt know where mrs has put it. and his water with vetark reptiboost.
I spray him 3 times a day with bottled mineral water. Like i said suplimented. and i have seen him drinking.hes
As far as i can tell hes not been to the toilet yet but dont think hes eaten recently. and i know nothing of his history.

Hes in a glass viv with ventilated top. at the shop was in an exoterra. its about 28x18x36. Humidity round about 60. And fro
m about 25near floor and 32 near basking site.
Hes in my dinning room atm but moving to our bedroom tomorrow. i live in lincolnshire.
Hope that helps a bit?

 

[kinyonga]

Some of the compact/spiral lights and even some of the long linear tube lights have been found to cause eye problems. The long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 has had no bad reports.

No apparent signs of MBD. The best bet might be for you to take it to a vet.

 

[lurchy0069]

Mbd? And my local vets are useless! Id be b off cutting him open myself! Only decent vet i know of is david feldmar and thats kings lynn and i think he mainly a snake guy?etter

 

[thephotoprincess]

He mostly looks dehydrated and a little thin. Give him A LOT of water - showers would be great. Put him on a small tree in the shower and give him about 20-30 minutes. Do that daily. Once he is better hydrated and settled in he will likely want to eat. Offer food daily as well as showers but other wise let him be.