Chameleon Digging Holes and Strange Bump

[miamicham26]

Hey guys so I thought I had a male because of what others have told me on the forum a few weeks ago. However today I noticed some strange behavior with my veiled, I've had him since March now not exactly sure how old he/she is.

A day ago I noticed some very odd behavior the cham was walking on the substrate attempting to dig holes. The cham has also been very reluctant to be handled. It also has a weird bump on the spine, pictures are attached.

It is a boy or girl? What is wrong with him/her? Is that bump normal?

 

[Andee]

Sounds like she's gravid, the bump looks like her hip bones.

 

[Dirtydominican77]

I would have to agree with andee. She's skinny, and looks dehydrated. Hows your feeding schedule and misting schedule?

 

[miamicham26]

I would have to agree with andee. She's skinny, and looks dehydrated. Hows your feeding schedule and misting schedule?

I mist 4 times a day and I feed 5-6 crickets every other day dusted with reptivite. He/She also has access to mealworks 24/7

 

[miamicham26]

She/he has also had trouble with footing and climbing, I initially thought he/she may have broken a front leg because it kinda drags it behind when walking and climbing. I could be very wrong. Scheduled an appointment with the vet tomorrow... we will see

 

[Dirtydominican77]

I mist 4 times a day and I feed 5-6 crickets every other day dusted with reptivite. He/She also has access to mealworks 24/7

The repti vitamin should be given twice a month and calcium w/d3 also twice a month, but not back to back, and calcium w/o d3 every feeding. You shouldn't just use repti vitamin you could over supplement your cham.

 

[miamicham26]

But that doesn't explain the strange behavior and strange bump. Also are we sure it's a female? it has spurs on the back feet.

 

[Andee]

Ah I see the spurs now, should be male then, what Temps do you keep him at? He's too young to be fed every other day from his size. He should be fed every day and as much as he wants. Which could explain why you see his hips. How long are you misting for?

 

[MeruJack]

Please click on this link: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/ Then cut and paste the questions and your answers here and other chameleon keepers can work with you to help you discover what may be going on and how to help your chameleon...but we need more info. Thanks!

 

[miamicham26]

Ah I see the spurs now, should be male then, what Temps do you keep him at? He's too young to be fed every other day from his size. He should be fed every day and as much as he wants. Which could explain why you see his hips. How long are you misting for?

He always has access to food, the reptile specialist at my pet store told me that was the best way to go. I mist the entire enclosure for about 20 seconds, the feces is also not consistent with dehydration.

 

[Andee]

Meal worms make horrible feeders with a thick she'll they can cause impaction. Also they have little nutritional especially if they aren't gutloaded or fed well before being given to your cham. You aren't really giving him any nutrition with the mealworms.