Chameleon Lifespan. How old is your older Cham?

[Vnessinessa]

Hey,

I took my chameleon to the vet for a check up. He said I may be seeing changes in my cham because he is 2 and a half and they typically only live between 3 and 5 years. I always thought makes can live between 5 and 7. How old are your older chams, and how old have you seen them get to? I am obviously really worried because I was still considering him young. I appreciate your input very much. He seems to be slowing down and losing his personality and I am so worried.

Thsnks so much!

 

[Mawtyplant]

Hey,

I took my chameleon to the vet for a check up. He said I may be seeing changes in my cham because he is 2 and a half and they typically only live between 3 and 5 years. I always thought makes can live between 5 and 7. How old are your older chams, and how old have you seen them get to? I am obviously really worried because I was still considering him young. I appreciate your input very much. He seems to be slowing down and losing his personality and I am so worried.

Thsnks so much!

panther : 6.5 years he slow down but.. 2.5 is still young.. especially for a male

 

[Vnessinessa]

panther : 6.5 years he slow down but.. 2.5 is still young.. especially for a male

Wow! Thank you! You have given me hope. Mine is a panther as well. So worried why mine is slowing down so much, losing colors, and his personality is disappearing and he had an amazing one. So he is still 6.5 and alive? Amazing to hear.

 

[Mawtyplant]

Wow! Thank you! You have given me hope. Mine is a panther as well. So worried why mine is slowing down so much, losing colors, and his personality is disappearing and he had an amazing one. So he is still 6.5 and alive? Amazing to hear.

Got some picture of him and his enclosure? sometime small details can extent their life!

 

[Vnessinessa]

Got some picture of him and his enclosure? sometime small details can extent their life!

Here you go he usually is bright and has blues...

 

[Vnessinessa]

Never have I seen him this color...or not often atleast.

 

[Mawtyplant]

Never have I seen him this color...or not often atleast.

tip 101, try too feed him less! you have a North American panther he need small diet! (seriously this will help with basic activation and colours) get him some sunlight (from sun)
What vitamins are you using?

 

[Vnessinessa]

tip 101, try too feed him less! you have a North American panther he need small diet! (seriously this will help with basic activation and colours) get him some sunlight (from sun)
What vitamins are you using?

Really??? Never heard that.. also, he barely eats at all... It has been incredibly frustrating. We had -11 c temperatures, so can't take him out right nkw, but will as soon as possible.

What is a North American Panther? And how do you know? Very curious.

I use a multivitamin and calcium without D3.

Thanks so much!

 

[Mawtyplant]

H

Really??? Never heard that.. also, he barely eats at all... It has been incredibly frustrating. We had -11 c temperatures, so can't take him out right nkw, but will as soon as possible.

What is a North American Panther? And how do you know? Very curious.

I use a multivitamin and calcium without D3.

Thanks so much!

ahaha North America is because he is chubby lol

 

[Vnessinessa]

H

ahaha North America is because he is chubby lol

Really??? I have been seeing his ribs alot lately and that was a huge reason why I took him in. I have found him lifeless so many times because he refuses to eat. Typically just hanging by his belly with no feet on sticks, or even laying on his side. He Will only eat 3 hornworms a week, but offered other food. Refuses to eat. He has been refusing food for so long since he was on alot of antibiotics, anti inflammatories and pain meds. Ugh. I really try my best to keep him well. I have spent atleast $1000 on vet visits.

 

[Vnessinessa]

This is him feeling well!!

 

[MissSkittles]

Really??? I have been seeing his ribs alot lately and that was a huge reason why I took him in. I have found him lifeless so many times because he refuses to eat. Typically just hanging by his belly with no feet on sticks, or even laying on his side. He Will only eat 3 hornworms a week, but offered other food. Refuses to eat. He has been refusing food for so long since he was on alot of antibiotics, anti inflammatories and pain meds. Ugh. I really try my best to keep him well. I have spent atleast $1000 on vet visits.

Just curious why he was on all of the meds? Has the vet run any blood work since he took all those? All can be hard on the kidneys and liver...at least in humans.

 

[Vnessinessa]

Just curious why he was on all of the meds? Has the vet run any blood work since he took all those? All can be hard on the kidneys and liver...at least in humans.

They have not run bloodwork... went to a specialist yesterday and brought the meds that he was on. Did not seem concerned. He has had an eye issue his entire life!!!! Always giving him.meds.... I care so much about him being in pain that I was asking about euthanization. And no, it is not about the money. Purely worried about his level of comfort. He said he is too old to remove the eye, and that he does not think he is in "that" much pain. He said it was like him having a constant headache. I am not really feeling good about the appointment. I am trying my best to be the best owner I can, and all I care about is his wellbeing. Ugh. I don't want him to just sit there in his cage all damn day and be miserable and uncomfortable. He used to beg to come out of his cage, and used to move around. Now, he is not moving much at all. I don't know what to do! It isn't like I am not trying....thank you so much for your input!

 

[Vnessinessa]

That sounded like I was thinking you thought I was not trying by saying "it isn't like I am not trying". Not the case. I just am worried about him, and I feel like I am trying my hardest, but I dont think he is getting the right attention. Been to two vets. I really am trying my hardest

 

[MissSkittles]

That sounded like I was thinking you thought I was not trying by saying "it isn't like I am not trying". Not the case. I just am worried about him, and I feel like I am trying my hardest, but I dont think he is getting the right attention. Been to two vets. I really am trying my hardest

Oh no! I didn’t think at all that you’re not trying! You wouldn’t be here asking questions if you didn’t love your chameleon and want to help him. I asked because it would seem to me that being on all those meds for a while could seriously affect organ function. Not all exotic vets are skilled or knowledgeable about chameleons. What is your general location? @jannb may be able to help find you a more skilled vet.

 

[Vnessinessa]

Oh no! I didn’t think at all that you’re not trying! You wouldn’t be here asking questions if you didn’t love your chameleon and want to help him. I asked because it would seem to me that being on all those meds for a while could seriously affect organ function. Not all exotic vets are skilled or knowledgeable about chameleons. What is your general location? @jannb may be able to help find you a more skilled vet.

Totally do not think you were questioning me. Just thought what I said sounded like I was. I have been so worried about the meds.. he has been on them more than he hasn't. I am so worried. I am from Vancouver Canada. Apparently this guy I jusf went to is a specialist, so I was hoping for some answers. not feeling confident at all. Can chameleons actually get depressed? I take him out daily to hang out for about an hour. He moves more than in cage, but he does not seem lively. Did you notice the color difference? Is that strange to change so much??? I can't tell you how much I appreciate your input. I feel lost. Especially when a vet can't help me

 

[MissSkittles]

I’m really not conversant about panthers and still consider myself a novice keeper of my veileds, so I really can’t offer more than what I’ve already said. Sometimes we just have to keep going until we get the correct answers. Your guy is not old and I really hope you are able to get some good medical care for him. There are several Canadian forum members but I can’t recall who lives where. I think @GoodKarma19 may know of a good cham vet in Vancouver.

 

[Vnessinessa]

I appreciate your honesty and all of your knowledge. I won't give up on him now that I know this is not close to the end of his life! Much appreciated! I will contact that member! Thanks a bunch

 

[Mawtyplant]

Really??? I have been seeing his ribs alot lately and that was a huge reason why I took him in. I have found him lifeless so many times because he refuses to eat. Typically just hanging by his belly with no feet on sticks, or even laying on his side. He Will only eat 3 hornworms a week, but offered other food. Refuses to eat. He has been refusing food for so long since he was on alot of antibiotics, anti inflammatories and pain meds. Ugh. I really try my best to keep him well. I have spent atleast $1000 on vet visits.

humm this another story, with all the med it might create puffy edema (with in a picture I can confuse with fat). what kind of eyes problems (what does it look like, how does it started). Can you tell me more about your vitamins? (what kind, what brand, how many time/week) and your lamps? (amp things, what kind, how old what brands)

And, is your vet done any fecal test on him?

 

[nightanole]

All mine kick the bucket 5.5-6.5 years

As others have said, keep them a bit skinny and they last longer. This has been known for "subjects" of scientists for decades, if you want your lab rats to last the longest, do not over feed.