Finally, the Chameleon specialist nearby is available for an appointment!

[szpond]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new to this site.

I've had my male Jackson's cham for about 4 months now, and he was going strong until about 2 weeks ago. I noticed that, at the base of his tail, a bump (growth? bacteria? infection?) had been forming. Started small, and only the color of his skin. The exotic animal's hospital is not nearby and the appointments come few (I am a full-time worker and a full-time college student; my cham is on timed lights and a timed fogger to keep his humidity 50%+ at all times), but I have FINALLY gotten an appointment with the specialist. Now, he's got another bump above his arm. I am going to get these checked out with the specialist Tuesday, no matter the cost. The bump on the base of his tail was where he started shedding 3 days ago, and now I notice it has turned a brown color and is slightly larger.

I don't handle my chameleon, either. I did months of researching before I adopted the little fella. Also, I work at a pet store that sells them, but our vet cannot do exotics.

Anyway - do these bumps sound familiar to anyone? I will get a picture up when I can!

The main reason I came to this forum was to ask - I opened up Max to the wonderful world of mealworms recently and he is no longer interested in crickets. At all. I have a glass feeder underneath his favorite perch that he used to pick of crickets from, and now he won't touch them. I'll even put a mealworm in with 4 crickets and he will eat AROUND the crickets to get to the mealworm. I've stopped feeding mealworms for the past 3 days, but still no sign of him eating crickets. What should I do? I'm going to ask the specialist as well.

Sorry about the novel!

 

[lysinlight87]

Don't know about the lumps and bumbs I'm afraid. But chameleons are a nightmare when it comes to feeders. It seems quite common that they will become fixated on 1 particular feeder and refuse everything else. They are like kids with sweets lol You could try holding out a few more days and see if he gives into the crickets? Or you could try hornworms or silk worms, see if he's interested in those? Meal worms aren't a great staple, so it's worth trying other things and being persistent! good luck at the vets

 

[pssh]

If he is ill or not right, I wouldn't starve him until he is better. It could create even more problems.

 

[justjumpit621]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new to this site.

I've had my male Jackson's cham for about 4 months now, and he was going strong until about 2 weeks ago. I noticed that, at the base of his tail, a bump (growth? bacteria? infection?) had been forming. Started small, and only the color of his skin. The exotic animal's hospital is not nearby and the appointments come few (I am a full-time worker and a full-time college student; my cham is on timed lights and a timed fogger to keep his humidity 50%+ at all times), but I have FINALLY gotten an appointment with the specialist. Now, he's got another bump above his arm. I am going to get these checked out with the specialist Tuesday, no matter the cost. The bump on the base of his tail was where he started shedding 3 days ago, and now I notice it has turned a brown color and is slightly larger.

I don't handle my chameleon, either. I did months of researching before I adopted the little fella. Also, I work at a pet store that sells them, but our vet cannot do exotics.

Anyway - do these bumps sound familiar to anyone? I will get a picture up when I can!

The main reason I came to this forum was to ask - I opened up Max to the wonderful world of mealworms recently and he is no longer interested in crickets. At all. I have a glass feeder underneath his favorite perch that he used to pick of crickets from, and now he won't touch them. I'll even put a mealworm in with 4 crickets and he will eat AROUND the crickets to get to the mealworm. I've stopped feeding mealworms for the past 3 days, but still no sign of him eating crickets. What should I do? I'm going to ask the specialist as well.

Sorry about the novel!

Try silkworms or dubias, but if nothing then try superworms, they have more meat.

 

[squeekz1992]

If he is ill or not right, I wouldn't starve him until he is better. It could create even more problems.

I agree....

 

[szpond]

By no means am I trying to starve him!

I've talked to others online and in person who have/had chameleons and was instructed to discontinue feeding the mealworms and let him become interested in the crickets again. It would become harmful having too many skeletons of mealworms in his belly. When he gets hungry enough, he will eat crickets. I will do superworms in the meantime.

 

[lysinlight87]

If he is ill or not right, I wouldn't starve him until he is better. It could create even more problems.

Good point. I was suggesting trying another day or 2 with offering crickets but you're right that he should be eating at least something.

Superworms work well, my veiled definitely prefers them to mealies, which can be hard to digest. They can get addicted to those too, but if he's sick, then people are right in saying you should just make sure he's eating something.

 

[szpond]

Superworms work well, my veiled definitely prefers them to mealies, which can be hard to digest. They can get addicted to those too, but if he's sick, then people are right in saying you should just make sure he's eating something.

That's why I was so worried about just feeding him mealworms, didn't want him to have any technical difficulties...The vet appointment is coming up, we will be sure that he's on the road to recovery (if he is ill at all). I'll pick up some superworms today. Thanks a lot everyone!