another chameleon not eating

[PaigeAnn]

Cage Info:
Cage Type - it is a screen cage with a plexiglass door, 2x2x3 feet
Lighting - reptisun 5.0
Temperature - basking spot is high 80's to 90 degrees and the lowest in around 70.
Humidity - honestly not sure, but im sure it is fairly humid.
Plants - umbrella plane
Placement - in my room, not a very high traffic area except when i am in it which isnt that often.
Location - pennsylvania

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - it is veiled, im assuming it is around two to three years old, ive had him for over a year
Handling - i rarely handle him because he hates it
Feeding - i feed him crickets that i gut load with carrots, romain lettuce or any other fruits/veggies that are in the house. i feed him every other day or so
Supplements - i dust with reptical w/o D3 3 times a week, once w/ d3 every other week and same with herptive once every other week
Watering - i have a misting system and mist him four times a day for five minutes long. i rarely see him drink, but, also am not usually in the room when the mister goes off
Fecal Description - his fecal matter is usually normal looking but has never been tested for parasites
History -
Current Problem - My chameleon has always been a fairly avid eater but these past two weeks he has eaten like once. i have cup in which i keep the crickets for him to eat, and some do get out and roam the cage, but he doesnt touch them. i do notice that his a little skinny, but i feel he always has been onthe skinnier side than the heftier side. He seems to be pretty active and roams around the cage, and he still hates me and tries to bite when i go in the cage. here are some pics of him and his set up. any help is appreciated.

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?

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.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

 

[luckykarma]

I don't have much judgement as your keeper skills sound correct. I can relate that my full grown Veil would go off food for sometimes a week or more to the point I took him to the vet several times. They had no idea. Then he would start to eat again. Then he would stop. He lived for another 4 years and was 3 years old when this started happening.

I've had spotty luck with probiotics. You might give that a try. He looks like he could be slightly more hydrated than he is.

Best to get a fecal done to rule that out or discover something.

 

[PaigeAnn]

do you suggest that i should try misting him five times a day instead of four, or just lengthen the amount of time he is getting misted. i would like to get a fecal done, but because he hasn't eaten i have nothing to work with

 

[Julirs]

He looks pretty thin and looks like he has no fat reserves in his casque. I would try to get some hornworms and/or silkworms to vary his diet and peak his interest. I really don't think you need to water him more-he is getting alot of mistings now. A fecal might be in order.

 

[luckykarma]

I agree Julirus. See if he'll respond to other feeders otherwise it might be assist feeding as a temporary solution until he eats on his own. One good thing is he hates you so he probably gaps easily. Try dropping a super or silk worm.

My guys get addicted to supers and will never touch crickets. Its always important to have a varied diet.

Try presenting other feeders before dropping them into his mouth.

 

[PaigeAnn]

thanks so much for the replies, i will try gettting some silkies, i have fed him hornworms before and he loves them, so i will probably get some as well. thanks so much

 

[jojackson]

Going by the photos, Your cham has been shedding. Its quite normal for them to be less intrested in eating during this time.
Have it wormed and increase the food for a time when it resumes eating.
Romain lettuce adds nothing but water to the insects, very little else. Try a variety of veg/greens, asian greens like buk choy ,choy sum etc are great gutload.