Adopted a very very thin chamo she won't eat. Help!

[LcDamico]

Hi I recently adopted 2 young chameleons you can see them in my profile. The bigger of the two is very very very skinny and I have not seen her eat or drink in a few days where the smaller of the two has a very healthy appetite. I am very concerned that she is withering away and I don't know how to stop it or help her. They are much more fragile than my bearded dragon so I can't really force them to eat the way I have with the dragon in the past. Please if anyone has thoughts or ideas as to how to make her eat or entice her. I feel as if the previous owner just didn't do anything for them and they don't know what it is like to be in a safe place.

 

[kinyonga]

Is it Pascal? Can you post another photo of her please. What are the temperatures in the cage? Are they both set up exactly the same? In separate cages?

 

[LcDamico]

Hi! Okay they are in the same tank I am looking into a bigger Exo-terra tall one as I know they grow quickly but this is what they came with minus all the greenery so I cleaned it well and put them back in for now also I know they tend to be social so I left them together in hopes it would help. The tank is about 80*F and is at about 30% humidity and rising. Yes it is pascal I uploaded some photos of her she didn't enjoy the flash of the camera haha.

 

[LcDamico]

Here is another photo I don't know why It didn't upload with the other one

 

[LcDamico]

And once again. Sorry.

 

[LcDamico]

quick update!

Quick update! I was able to force her some flukers repta-boost she seemed accepting of it!! Very exciting but still would like opinions and thoughts and other tips!!!

 

[distortionz]

Don't know where you heard they are social.. they are very seclusive and most are very very stressed by the presence of another chameleon.. just throwing it out there lol

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Yes, in most cases they are solitary. May be stress of being housed together, could also be eggs. Your temps and humidity are off. Lower the ambient temps and increase humidity. I would go with a screen cage not exo terra for the new cages.

 

[kinyonga]

Not sure...looks like the one arm is crooked....maybe MBD? Can you post another picture of the left side please. Also...they need to be separated.

 

[LcDamico]

I am going to leave them together for now. They go to each other all the time and sleep right next to each other at night so as of right now they seem to find comfort in each other. I fixed the temp gauge and it will be getting better. I am looking into a bigger cage non exoterra as you suggested. The legs are fine I brought them to the vet and besides his weight and being very thin they both have a clean bill of health. So that's why I asked about ways to entice him into eating. Thank you.

 

[distortionz]

I guarantee you they don't find comfort in each other. They may tolerate each other. But hey all your choice people have had success housing them together before. And people have had their chameleons eat/kill each other or stress eachother to death.

 

[LcDamico]

Thank you for your concern and letting me know. From what I know of these two is that since they were first born they have been caged together. So for now I will keep them together I watch them carefully the tank is in my living room so I am able to see if there are any changes once they are more comfortable in my house and once I locate a good tank to transfer them to I will re think them living together.

 

[fester2226]

it looks like he has mbd

 

[LcDamico]

And how can you treat mbd if that were the case

 

[distortionz]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Please fill this out so we can better help. Are they being kept together in a 10-20 gallon aquarium?

 

[kinyonga]

Do you know what supplements were being used by the previous owner and how often for each? Was the chameleon getting exposure to the UVB light?

If it really does have MBD that wasn't treated then it needs extra calcium until the bones are strong again and then it needs appropriate supplements, exposure to UVB light, appropriate temperatures and the insects need a proper diet to stop the MBD from returning.

The extra calcium should be in the form of liquid calcium sandoz or gluconate because they absorb better.

The supplements schedule should be phosphorous - free calcium at most feedings to help make up for the usually poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous found in most feeder insects.

Phosphorus -free calcium D3 powder twice a month and a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A twice a month. PrOformed sources of vitamin A cannot build up in the system like prEformed sources can and will not lead to overdoses. This leaves it up to you to decide whether the chameleon needs prEformed vitamin A or not.

Appropriate temperatures allow for proper digestion and thus indirectly in nutrient absorption.

Exposure to the UVB allows the chameleon to produce the D3 it needs to use the calcium in its system. D3 produced from exposure to UVB won't likely build up in the system and lead to overdoses like too much D3 from supplements can.

Feeding/gutloading the insects ensures your chameleon gets a healthy diet. Insects such as crickets, superworms, roaches, locusts canned be fed greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, kale, etc and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

Still would separate them. Some stress is not noticeable until it's too late.

 

[GCash]

SEPERATE THE CHAMELEONS! I'd put money on him having MBD. If you did take him to a vet and he got a "clean bill of health", I'd definitely get a second opinion.

 

[LcDamico]

Attn

Yes. If anyone has been paying attention to my replies I already stated I would separate them once I got a new terrarium and it will be happening this week. So from now on unless you have tips on how to either entice her to eat or force her to eat I do not need any more responses about "separating them"in a tone that is not very nice. I came to this site to get knowledge and help not to be scolded please and thank you

 

[distortionz]

If you really wanted help you would fill out the sheet I've asked you to fill out here.. I asked you to fill it out when you pm'ed me also. In order for people to help you they need all the information. Just saying.

 

[distortionz]

And also people keep telling you to separate them because it is very likely that is the reason she won't eat as stress can do that.