Cham is getting old,

[Hansen]

My name is Tracey. I have been reading this page for years and some of you guys have been here really long time. So my boys are almost 7. They are panthers. Their lights have been changed every 8 months for years. Their plants are live and their basking lights are different because 1 likes 85 or so and the other would rather it be 79 or 80. He is the larger of the 2. He has grown grouchy and tries to bite me if I move stuff around in his cage They wake up and go to bed at sunrise and sunset respectively. Their humidifier runs w the lights on a timer. Cage gets dry at night. Pump out water from the bottom every night. Water gets a little bleach every few weeks. Everything is ok for years but now,, except the large one (Houdini) falls sometimes. He is a little fat now. So I put a barrier up to catch him. He has also taken to climbing down from his usual spot and sleeping in his big plant. The other one (Drago) sleeps all night too but hangs his hands off the perch about halfway thru the night.
I would like to know if any of you all ( especially Kenyonga, JannB, dr. ferritinmyshoe, or any of you all that thru the years I have grown to trust) know what else to do for old age? Xtra vitamins, xtra something or less something. And also, what to look for as they age. I don't know anyone with a cham my guy's age.

 

[MissSkittles]

@kinyonga @jannb @ferretinmyshoes @JacksJill

 

[jackthejellydragon]

@kinyonga @jannb @ferretinmyshoes @JacksJill

@Beman @kinyonga @jannb

 

[MissSkittles]

I checked Chameleon Academy podcasts and aging/elderly chameleons hasn’t been covered. @DeremensisBlue this would be a good topic to cover and provide some guidance.

 

[jannb]

They probably have arthritis. Most of my guys had it when they got old. There’s some pretty good reptile meds now for arthritis. I’d recommend getting them a good check up and X-rays from a vet with chameleon knowledge.

You might find this older thread helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/what-are-signs-of-aging.105210/#post-962019

 

[kinyonga]

Feeding smaller insects might be good from a digestion point of view.

I've put pieces of bark in for them to sit in...it's rough enough for them to grip but they don't have to hang on so tightly with their arthritic toes. I place them so they are low slopes.

 

[kinyonga]

one more thing...I would watch for signs of calcium deficiency.

 

[Hansen]

Thank you guys. I have noticed also, when I pick either of them up they both hold their front legs curving inward. I thought they might need a little xtra calcium. I picked up Rapashy calcium plus today. I also called my vet to schedule a blood chem panel. Thanks so much
MissSkittles, I dont know what that Chameleon Academy podcast thing is, but Ill take a look at it. Thanks you all

 

[suprdude]

Congratulations on keeping them alive this long, you must be doing everything right. Most don't live that long in the wild, but nothing lives forever.

 

[Hansen]

Ok, I want to tell you Guys, I just noticed Houdini's mouth, at front pointy spot, looks like he might have scratched it on his screen. He is a very hearty eater but hasn't eaten good in 5 days.

 

[kinyonga]

Photo please.

 

[Hansen]

Is there a possibility that like old people his gums are receding a bit?

 

[Hansen]

View attachment 297023View attachment 297023View attachment 297023View attachment 297023View attachment 297023 Is there a possibility that like old people his gums are receding a bit?

Sorry for all the copies. I dont know what happened but the computer and I are not real good friends. I think I better go get antibiotics, huh? It looks worse today than yesterday and crickets, roaches and silk worms aren't real clean fellers. What do you all think? TH

 

[jannb]

Aww, he looks so sweet. Yes, I’d take him to the vet. Do you have a vet with chameleon experience?

 

[Hansen]

He is not a herp vet. Unfortunately, I have not had good herp vet experiences. The minute I say the words 'panther chameleons', the dollar amount goes beyond anything close to what I can pay. My vet charges the same for a visit with an animal. Kitten or chameleon; everyone is treated fairly. It is sad, but a subject that is too outrageous to discuss here. My vet was willing to educate himself and is totally down to listen to the things that you all, on here, with experience to back up what you say, when I first ended up in his office 10+ years ago. He reads cham forum, talks to his vet friends,evaluates what we discuss, and almost always goes with you alls advice. He will get the meds that you said was what you used and sell them to me in the proper rx if I ask him to. His ego has never come before the life of an animal. The families in my neighborhood are not afraid to go into his clinic. Ill stop now lol. But I'm taking them in on Tuesday.

 

[jannb]

He is not a herp vet. Unfortunately, I have not had good herp vet experiences. The minute I say the words 'panther chameleons', the dollar amount goes beyond anything close to what I can pay. My vet charges the same for a visit with an animal. Kitten or chameleon; everyone is treated fairly. It is sad, but a subject that is too outrageous to discuss here. My vet was willing to educate himself and is totally down to listen to the things that you all, on here, with experience to back up what you say, when I first ended up in his office 10+ years ago. He reads cham forum, talks to his vet friends,evaluates what we discuss, and almost always goes with you alls advice. He will get the meds that you said was what you used and sell them to me in the proper rx if I ask him to. His ego has never come before the life of an animal. The families in my neighborhood are not afraid to go into his clinic. Ill stop now lol. But I'm taking them in on Tuesday.

Where do you live? I might know of a good vet within driving distance. I’ve notice the vets with not much knowledge charge the most since they think it’s exotic and they might have to research or consult with another vet.

 

[Hansen]

I live in Ft Lupton CO.

 

[Hansen]

I also wanted to tell you,
My big guy who weighs, like, a pound--the cham I showed you his scratched lip--started eating again. It isn't nearly as swollen up as it was. But we are still going to a dr. He has been holding his hands like he is praying. They both ate, really good, too. But are not standing tall any more. Im thinking he may have arthritis in his neck. He is not swiveling his head around and holding it up like before. In the pics he turns his head a little but won't really turn around. He mostly let's his head rest. See how his hand is turned inward? The other one is like that too. Like praying hands.
It is so wierd that both of them have all these things that look alike in old age. They are the same age but are not related. I got this one from 'alphakenetic' (his name is Ken) on this forum more than 6 years ago. I got Drago, the other one from Backwater after they had sent me 3 different chams that were not male.

 

[jannb]

That could be arthritis in the hands, too. Its probably painful. A little medicam or meloxicam would help with the pain, if you have any.