Chameleon Sleeping Weird

[Michael_ChamLover]

Hi all, I just started my winter break from college and when I got home I immediately noticed my cham sleeping in a very odd position. He was sleeping with his tail completely uncurled with two of his legs just dangling which is something I've never seen before. My parents said he's been like this lately where he's clumsy and sleeps in positions like this. I understand the part about him bring clumsy since he is blind in his left eye, and he is turning five soon, but it's still weird. I always make sure his lights are up to date with the correct UVB setting, heat lamp is perfect, supplements on a schedule, etc. Is this something to be concerned about? His name is Rio and he is a male Ambilobe Panther Chameleon.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. Are you able to get some pics of him in his sleeping position, as well as some good clear pics of him awake? Unfortunately 5 is considered old for a chameleon, but maybe pics will give an idea of something.

 

[Michael_ChamLover]

Hi. Are you able to get some pics of him in his sleeping position, as well as some good clear pics of him awake? Unfortunately 5 is considered old for a chameleon, but maybe pics will give an idea of something.

The photos with less light are from now and the photos of the day are photos my parents sent me while I was away. Idk if Im just over reacting but I want to make sure he's ok.

 

[MissSkittles]

It’s a bit hard to see, but I was looking for any signs of swelling at his ankles or other joints - a sign of gout. Being 5, he may have arthritis which makes it uncomfortable to grasp on with all feet and possibly even keep his tail coiled. Either of these (gout or arthritis) would also explain increased clumsiness. Your vet could determine what is going on with blood work and x rays. I’m not questioning your husbandry, since you’ve had him for so long, but has anything at all changed in it within the past few months?

 

[Beman]

There is a huge change in his casque between the light and dark photos. Please post more of him now with light and as clear as possible so we can see his overall body condition. Casque now appears to be concave which it should not be.

 

[Michael_ChamLover]

It’s a bit hard to see, but I was looking for any signs of swelling at his ankles or other joints - a sign of gout. Being 5, he may have arthritis which makes it uncomfortable to grasp on with all feet and possibly even keep his tail coiled. Either of these (gout or arthritis) would also explain increased clumsiness. Your vet could determine what is going on with blood work and x rays. I’m not questioning your husbandry, since you’ve had him for so long, but has anything at all changed in it within the past few months?

The only change I can think of is the long stick up top is now two long sticks since when he only had one he would sometimes fall off and with two he stabilizes himself better. There is also less coverage on the top since his main plant outgrew his enclosure and I changed it with a younger plant which hasn't provided as much coverage yet. The bottom of his enclosure has plenty of coverage with two hanging plants and lots of real estate for him.

 

[Michael_ChamLover]

There is a huge change in his casque between the light and dark photos. Please post more of him now with light and as clear as possible so we can see his overall body condition. Casque now appears to be concave which it should not be.

Here are some photos from this morning. The photo of him being all dark (under the heat lamp) is how I find him a lot of the time; hanging on to his own limbs and all curled. The photos with him with brighter colors is his way of saying he hates my phone camera. He always hated my phone so this is normal. As he has gotten older he's gotten more senile which is understandable, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything since I'm only here for another month before he's entirely my parent's responsibility again.

 

[Beman]

Is your UVB light running parallel to the branch or only crossing one on an end?

What UVB are you using and when last did you replace it?

Are your parents supplementing correctly when you are gone and what are the supplements being used along with their rotation?

How much has he been eating and how often? He is looking a little thin in the limbs and the casque is a little move concave then you would see in a healthy cham.

The senile thing I get, I am dealing with very extreme mood changes from my almost 7 year old male.

What I would suggest is adding in a lot more branches. The older they get the more they can miss branches and this can cause a fall.

I would turn off the red LED lights if you can. Red lights are not good for their eyes.

I do not see any signs of gout which is good.