hilltowner
New Member
I know I've posted a lot recently, so I apologize, but I'm still concerned about our cham. and as first time owners, we're still learning.
He saw a vet on Tuesday (after we found him all dark and shriveled and not moving with one sunken eye) who said he looked fine, but he still has these moments of looking so dark and skinny. Maybe this is common for 3-4 mo. old male panther chams. I've attached a photo of him when he looks all dark and thin. Do young panther chams get really dark? Does he look too skinny or dehydrated?
Most of the time he looks fine. He is eating a ton of crickets and occasional mealworm. I'm still waiting for the dubias and silkworms to come this week. I've also made several changes to his supplements and his cage as per everyone's suggestions (thanks!).
Sorry again for repeating myself, just want to make sure he is ok. I'm planning to check in with another vet who's closer to us for a second opinion. Thanks!
Marla
Here's the updated info. on how we are caring for him:
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon – Zen is a panther, male, 3-4 mos., We have had him 1 1/2 weeks.
Handling – My daughter handles him a couple times of day for 5 min., usually just to move him to his free range perch or when I'm cleaning the cage. She only picks him up when he climbs on to her hand. If he refuses, she leaves him alone. He also free ranges on some birch limbs that we have screwed into her wall above her bed.
Feeding – We feed him small crickets (6-8/day), with a couple of mealyworms (4/week), waxworms (2/week). Because he is young, no schedule – just add 3-4 more crickets when his feeding cup is empty. Gut-loading crickets with banana skin, apple, broccoli, orange, and carrots. Waiting for dubias and silkworms to be delivered this week to add to the crickets.
Supplements – Was giving him Rep-Cal phosphorous-free calcium w/ vit. D original powder and Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamin daily. But now giving calcium without vit. D daily and giving the calcium w/ vit. D and multivitamin 2x month.
Watering – Mistking starter system. Every 3 hours for 5 minutes. He loves to drink from the leaves and the hand water mister.
Fecal Description – Feces: Dark brown with some white on top, though sometimes top is yellow. Was just tested for parasites last week and came back clean.
History – No previous history other than purchased from FL Cham and his sire was Wuerffel.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - 24” x 24” x 48” screen cage.
Lighting - Big changes in light. Removed basking light and UVB compact fluorescent from side of cage. Now have an 18" Reptisun 10.0 UVB 20.0 tube Bulb in hood (ordered Reptisun 5.0 UVB to replace the 10.0 UVB, hasn't arrived yet) and a regular household soft white 60 watt bulb in a mini-dome for basking. Both located on top of cage. Considering adding a regular fluorescent bulb along with the UVB tube for added light for cham. Lights on from 8 am – 8 pm.
Temperature – Temperature ranges from 70 - 90 deg. 90 deg. at basking sites. 70 deg. at coolest sites. Overnight temperature is 70 deg. Temperature measured with Zoo Med Economy Analog Dual Thermometer and Humidity Gauge.
Humidity – Humidity levels: 30% to 90 % . Create and maintain humidity: Mistking starting mister kit for 5 minutes every 3 hours. Plexiglass on 2 sides of cage and 3 live plants. Measure humidity: Zoo Med Economy Analog Dual Thermometer and Humidity Gauge.
Plants – 3 live plants: Scheffera, jade, and Dracaena plants. Also, 2 fake plants, one 5 ' fake vine, 1 Flukers Repta vine, 3 surreal vines, and 1 large sandblasted manzanita branch.
Placement – Cage location: In a corner of my daughter's bedroom away from the door and windows. She's a quiet type, so pretty mellow room. Not near any fans, air vents or high traffic areas. I just ordered a 14” high, 24” x 24” wire rack to hold the cage up so that I can put a tub under for drainage. Cage is currently located on the floor.
Location – Near Albany, NY. Northeast.
Current Problem – Has moments of looking very dark and skinny.
He saw a vet on Tuesday (after we found him all dark and shriveled and not moving with one sunken eye) who said he looked fine, but he still has these moments of looking so dark and skinny. Maybe this is common for 3-4 mo. old male panther chams. I've attached a photo of him when he looks all dark and thin. Do young panther chams get really dark? Does he look too skinny or dehydrated?
Most of the time he looks fine. He is eating a ton of crickets and occasional mealworm. I'm still waiting for the dubias and silkworms to come this week. I've also made several changes to his supplements and his cage as per everyone's suggestions (thanks!).
Sorry again for repeating myself, just want to make sure he is ok. I'm planning to check in with another vet who's closer to us for a second opinion. Thanks!
Marla
Here's the updated info. on how we are caring for him:
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon – Zen is a panther, male, 3-4 mos., We have had him 1 1/2 weeks.
Handling – My daughter handles him a couple times of day for 5 min., usually just to move him to his free range perch or when I'm cleaning the cage. She only picks him up when he climbs on to her hand. If he refuses, she leaves him alone. He also free ranges on some birch limbs that we have screwed into her wall above her bed.
Feeding – We feed him small crickets (6-8/day), with a couple of mealyworms (4/week), waxworms (2/week). Because he is young, no schedule – just add 3-4 more crickets when his feeding cup is empty. Gut-loading crickets with banana skin, apple, broccoli, orange, and carrots. Waiting for dubias and silkworms to be delivered this week to add to the crickets.
Supplements – Was giving him Rep-Cal phosphorous-free calcium w/ vit. D original powder and Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamin daily. But now giving calcium without vit. D daily and giving the calcium w/ vit. D and multivitamin 2x month.
Watering – Mistking starter system. Every 3 hours for 5 minutes. He loves to drink from the leaves and the hand water mister.
Fecal Description – Feces: Dark brown with some white on top, though sometimes top is yellow. Was just tested for parasites last week and came back clean.
History – No previous history other than purchased from FL Cham and his sire was Wuerffel.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - 24” x 24” x 48” screen cage.
Lighting - Big changes in light. Removed basking light and UVB compact fluorescent from side of cage. Now have an 18" Reptisun 10.0 UVB 20.0 tube Bulb in hood (ordered Reptisun 5.0 UVB to replace the 10.0 UVB, hasn't arrived yet) and a regular household soft white 60 watt bulb in a mini-dome for basking. Both located on top of cage. Considering adding a regular fluorescent bulb along with the UVB tube for added light for cham. Lights on from 8 am – 8 pm.
Temperature – Temperature ranges from 70 - 90 deg. 90 deg. at basking sites. 70 deg. at coolest sites. Overnight temperature is 70 deg. Temperature measured with Zoo Med Economy Analog Dual Thermometer and Humidity Gauge.
Humidity – Humidity levels: 30% to 90 % . Create and maintain humidity: Mistking starting mister kit for 5 minutes every 3 hours. Plexiglass on 2 sides of cage and 3 live plants. Measure humidity: Zoo Med Economy Analog Dual Thermometer and Humidity Gauge.
Plants – 3 live plants: Scheffera, jade, and Dracaena plants. Also, 2 fake plants, one 5 ' fake vine, 1 Flukers Repta vine, 3 surreal vines, and 1 large sandblasted manzanita branch.
Placement – Cage location: In a corner of my daughter's bedroom away from the door and windows. She's a quiet type, so pretty mellow room. Not near any fans, air vents or high traffic areas. I just ordered a 14” high, 24” x 24” wire rack to hold the cage up so that I can put a tub under for drainage. Cage is currently located on the floor.
Location – Near Albany, NY. Northeast.
Current Problem – Has moments of looking very dark and skinny.
