First Chameleon, He seems very weak

[Shaddowxxi]

Edit: Added "how to ask for help" info
Edit 2: I didn't think to mention this, but his eyes half seemed "half lidded" most of the time. Like he is "squinting" or something

So I got my first chameleon yesterday, and today when I misted his enclosure before heading to class he fell to the ground. It seems very odd to me that an arboreal lizard would fall at all, much less while moving as slowly as he was.


Should I be concerned? Is that normal? I'm very worried about him :/



He is a baby veiled chameleon, about 2-2.5 inches snout to vent

Basking spot is 90 degrees measured with a temp gun, ambient is 74ish in the mid level with 54%ish humidity that spikes to 80% when I mist.

First pic is right after getting home and second is from before lights out

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled Chameleon, suspect male, ~2 in. snout to vent, i've had "him" for about 24 hours
Handling - I haven't
Feeding - He hasn't eaten yet
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - I have a dripper and I mist with a pressurized container for a minute or 2 several times a 4-5 times a day
Fecal Description - No droppings yet
History - All I can say is I got him from a chain pet store

Cage Info:
Cage Type - All screen reptibreeze, 16x16x30
Lighting - I believe all 3 bulbs are zoomed. 1 60 watt day blue bulb in a dome and 2 UVB 5.0 CFLs in the exo terra compact top. 12 on 12 off
Temperature - 90 basking spot fading to 85ish an inch or two either way and 76 ambient in the center. Haven't measured bottom but in my other cages its 70-72. I keep a space heater going so its never below 76 in the room. Ambient is measured with exo terra thermometer/hygrometer combo probe
Humidity - 55% ambient spiking to 80-90 when I mist with a pressurized mister. I also have a dripper. Measured with above mentioned probe.
Plants - No live plants as of yet.
Placement - It is in my bedroom with all my other reptiles, I don't spend much time in there and there is a space heater set to turn on when it gets below 76. There is also a fan on low setting that oscillates across the room on low setting. The cage sits on my dresser so..... 60 inches above the floor for the top of the cage i'm guessing. Maybe a bit higher.
Location - East Tennessee

Current Problem - Seems weak, he fell when I sprayed this morning

 

[Lazy Boy]

I think 90 is a little hot for such a small cham.

 

[Shaddowxxi]

I think 90 is a little hot for such a small cham.

I'll dim it when I get home, but its only that hot in about a 1-2 inch area on a vine and I haven't seen him anywhere near it so far.

 

[zsazsa85]

Welcome!
He looks weak indeed! At least I don't see mbd.
Do you use supplements? If yes what and how?
Can you fill out the " How to ask for help" form? Just copy/paste and fill out the form and we know more about your husbandry and we can help.

 

[Shaddowxxi]

Welcome!
He looks weak indeed! At least I don't see mbd.
Do you use supplements? If yes what and how?
Can you fill out the " How to ask for help" form? Just copy/paste and fill out the form and we know more about your husbandry and we can help.

I've only had him for 24 hours. He hasn't eaten or pooped for me yet.

 

[Shaddowxxi]

Added the how to ask for help info.
I also didn't think to mention this at first, but his eyes haven't seemed to be fully open. Its like he is squinting or something

 

[Devokid]

He looks quite sick. I would take him to a vet and find out what the health guarantee is if there is one from the store. Chain pet stores are notorious for killing chameleons.

 

[Devokid]

Your set up looks OK. The temps and humidity are on the high side and I would decrease those. As you have only had him 24 hrs, nothing that you are doing would have caused his problems. They came with him from the store.

 

[Shaddowxxi]

He looks quite sick. I would take him to a vet and find out what the health guarantee is if there is one from the store. Chain pet stores are notorious for killing chameleons.

They have a 15 day policy.

The only place within 5 hours that know of for reptiles would be my university's veterinary college and i don't know if they deal outside of commercial contracts :/

 

[Shaddowxxi]

I just got home from class and he is still sitting on the ground with his eyes closed and head turned up....

Also I measured ground temp and it's 73 degrees

 

[Shaddowxxi]

I called the store, they said I should return him and claim that they have a vet so I think that's going to be the best I can do :/

 

[Devokid]

I just got home from class and he is still sitting on the ground with his eyes closed and head turned up....

Also I measured ground temp and it's 73 degrees

Not good. If he doesn't see a vet he will be a goner. He is definitely not well, so I would take him back.

 

[sharp229]

It sounds like he has an RI. That is very common for a chain pet store. I would return him and tell them he needs a vet.

You would most likely have a much better experience if you order from one of the site sponsors such as LLLReptile, and the prices are probably the same or better, even with shipping.

If this is your first chameleon it would definitely be easiest if you make sure to get a male. If you do get a different chameleon, you will want to thoroughly sanitize your cage and everything in it to ensure any pathogens aren't transferred.

 

[codiwatkins]

I would return him and tell them that he needs a vet ASAP. There are several awesome people here on the forums that sell veileds! Check out the classified section. They are more expensive than most pet stores but well worth the additional cost because you know that they are being cared for and loved prior to you get them.

 

[MelissaB]

If you get a replacement chameleon or decide to keep this one, please take out one of the CFL 5.0 light bulbs. You really only need one, and make sure to follow the manufacturers recommendations of the height from the basking area. I've used CFL UVB bulbs without a problem, but they can be intense if they aren't used as they're supposed to be. They have a narrower area than a tube light, but if it's too close to where your little guy is, it could be the reason why his eyes were "squinty."