Chameleon not eating....

scottdyer41

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Hi I have an 16 month old male panther and he hasn't eating in 3 weeks. He is in a 4x2x2 mesh cage with 2 sides covered with styrofoam insulation for the winter he looking like he about to shed then it doesn't happen hence why I haven't been to the vets yet but a it's starting to worry me now as I can't get V&M and calci into him he drinking but as he not eating he's not pooing either again why I haven't been to vets he's active all day alert and moving but very thin now never been a big eater anyway since I first got him so quite small for age he's cage has arcadia t5 12% on top of screen arcadia jungle dawn led 13w and 60w heat lamp humidity sits around 55% and spikes to 80-99% as his mister cycles 3 times in 12 hrs period his temps are 24 - 26°c ambient and basking of 29/31°c depending on house temps night time no less than 18°c supplement reptical w/o d3 4 times a week with d3 2 times a month and vitamin 1 a month and I recently bought arcadia shed aid but as he not eating not had any of this yet he used to eat various food on the market as I didnt want him to get bored he was a little dehydrated last time he pood but showered him over the last 2 weeks not every day but when I can im did go away about 6 weeks ago and with my cage being mesh he managed to rub the top of his spine until the first few spiks ground off not sure if I've coverd all info but just asking if anyone has experienced this or somthing similar thanks.
I have however just noticed the difference in the two picture of his mouth the close up one was in the summer and the other was taken a week ago could this be the problem if so what is it? And the darker one was taken as I posted this thanks.
 

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First I would add at least one more misting session of at least 5 minutes. They need a good long mist to help stimulate them to drink and clean out their eyes. Especially if his poo is showing signs of dehydration.

What kind of feeders are you using?

Also, do you turn off all lights at night?
 
Hi thanks for reply.
yes will add misting for longer and feeding crickets locusts roaches ..Morio worms wax worms occasional and when I can get hold of them silk worms. And yes turn his lights off for 12 hrs every night.
 
I've got a stab in the dark. Do you think he's been eating something else in his cage. Could be anything really, but the front of his mouth looks a little worn down, and I've had something similar happen until I covered the cork panel in my enclosure. He sure is a looker though, hope you find the culprit. Could also be a classic hunger strike scenario in which case I would recommend a hornworm or two.
 
Hi pjk well he used to scrape /eat vines and and scrape his snout on mesh etc. But he looks like he gonna shed any minute and thanks yes when he is happy and healthy he really is a stunner and I'm waiting for some silkworms worms to come in stock so I can order some how long can these hunger strikes last for?!?!?! I don't think I can get horn worms in uk?thanks for reply
 
Well I've been off this week and tried to shower him every day and now running the mister for longer also dripper on then tomorrow going to get some fresh locust and ordering some silks very Soon so I hope so if he does I'll be over the moon!!!
 
Do they know about temp dropping even a little as last month we had a cold snap of about a week so could that put him into some kind of food store slow mode?
 
I will suggest raise ur temperature up couple notch to speed his metabolism up,if he still not eating,then u will have to give him food with hand feeding,3weeks is a long time for him to refuse his food,something in his digestive system is bothering him,once u hand feed him he should have the poop in couple days,then u should make the appointment with a chameleon specialist vet and take the poop in for fecal test just to be sure of finding any parasite in his digestive tract.
 
I'm going to up his temps tomorrow and give him a shower silly question but how do you hand feed a chameleon should I just ram it in his face? And yes will go straight to vets as soon as he poos!! Thanks for reply
 
I'm going to up his temps tomorrow and give him a shower silly question but how do you hand feed a chameleon should I just ram it in his face? And yes will go straight to vets as soon as he poos!! Thanks for reply
Depending on ur chameleon,If he is a calm one,then u can lightly touch on both side of his mouth n have ur feeder ready,dont shove the whole feeder in his mouth,let him bite of a part and wait to see if he will slowly take it in,If he doesnt,then depending on the size of ur feeder,u might have to cut it in half and slowly let him chew n swallow.My pleasure to help,hope he eats on his own soon.
 
OMG just watch a video on yt that looks awful for me and him but I know it's gonna have to be :/ will update Tomorrow...thanks...wish me luck!!
 
So this morning went to get 2 boxes of lrg locusts gave them some repashy super load stuff dusted 3 with shed aid and reptical d3 on the hope he would take some and put then upto him and BAM he had 1 then all 3 so I got 3 more and 3 again and 3 again!!! So he ate about 14 ish then as he was swallowing I eased some water into him to so now I'm hoping for a poo and get it tested but we might be out of the woods???? Or to early to say???
 
He is a piggy for sure,at least he is out of the deep doodoo,and now when this piggy eats n drink u just give him time to doodoo n wee wee wee.Bam doodoo test time!!!
 
one thing that usually increases appetite in my chams probiotics this is the one i use its fine powder so dust crickets..i try to use it 2 feedings a week.
 
Haha yes he i s a pig well id probably be a pig if i hadnt eating for nearly a month!!! What's the probiotic called I can get some online?
 
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