Growth after neglect?

[Tattersb]

I have a male veiled I rescued about six months ago from a poor environment. He had no water, no supplementation, inadequate lighting and only received a diet of meal worms. He was painfully thin and weighed 90 grams. The previous owner said he had him about a year, so I'm guessing he was around 18-20 months old when I received him. I corrected his lighting, diet, supplementation, hydration and took him for his first check up. Since I've had him he's gained 40gm and shed 5-6 times. My question is this: since he was essentially neglected for a year when he was a juvenile, is it possible for him to attain the normal size of an adult male veiled, or will his growth be stunted?

 

[nightanole]

Your biggest concern is MBD. As long as he was just "underfed" and the bones did not warp too badly, he should fill out pretty good. There really isnt a time limit on growth. Its more of a race to get the biggest the fastest for breeding season. But if you happen to hatch towards the end of the wet season, its going to be slim pickins for 4-6 months. Its why they adapted to eat veg in the wild as a last resort when the bugs run out.

 

[Tattersb]

Your biggest concern is MBD. As long as he was just "underfed" and the bones did not warp too badly, he should fill out pretty good. There really isnt a time limit on growth. Its more of a race to get the biggest the fastest for breeding season. But if you happen to hatch towards the end of the wet season, its going to be slim pickins for 4-6 months. Its why they adapted to eat veg in the wild as a last resort when the bugs run out.

No MBD per vet, and his bone structure is actually good. Thanks for the info!

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

No MBD per vet, and his bone structure is actually good. Thanks for the info!

A veiled chameleons most crucial growth period is between hatch and 6 month's of age. If something was done to stunt the growth at that time he will forever be that size unfortunately. There is no getting that time back.

 

[nightanole]

A veiled chameleons most crucial growth period is between hatch and 6 month's of age. If something was done to stunt the growth at that time he will forever be that size unfortunately. There is no getting that time back.

Well hes around 130 grams at 2 years old. And hes put on 50% more weight between 18 and 24 months.

I would consider a 150g male an full grown adult, a 250g a biggin, and a 300g a monster outlier.

 

[Beman]

How long tip of nose to end of tail is your boy? I would say that is a pretty good weight gain. My male is only 14-15 inches at 1 year and is at 124 grams. However he is showing a little chunky in his casque so I am trying to get him to drop a few grams.

 

[jannb]

Has he had a fecal? Parasites can keep them from growing especially Cociddia.

 

[jamest0o0]

I've wondered this as well, following

 

[Tattersb]

Has he had a fecal? Parasites can keep them from growing especially Cociddia.

He has, I had him to the vet within days of picking him up. He's clear for parasites.

 

[Tattersb]

How long tip of nose to end of tail is your boy? I would say that is a pretty good weight gain. My male is only 14-15 inches at 1 year and is at 124 grams. However he is showing a little chunky in his casque so I am trying to get him to drop a few grams.

It's hard to tell, but if I had to guess I'd say 13-14". He's not much for being handled, and since he came from a fraternity house I just act as his maid and give him his space.

 

[jannb]

Some chameleons are just normally smaller. My petsitter has a small adult veiled and I have a two and a half year old panther that only weighs 100 grams.

 

[Tattersb]

Well hes around 130 grams at 2 years old. And hes put on 50% more weight between 18 and 24 months.

I would consider a 150g male an full grown adult, a 250g a biggin, and a 300g a monster outlier.

Good deal, I see so much conflicting data I wasn't sure. It seems like there are a lot of 200g+ reported.

 

[Tattersb]

Some chameleons are just normally smaller. My petsitter has a small adult veiled and I have a two and a half year old panther that only weighs 100 grams.

Honestly, it took so long to get him to have normal urates and gain ANY weight I was over-the-moon thrilled to find out he has gained what he has. His urates were almost amber when I got him.

 

[nightanole]

Good deal, I see so much conflicting data I wasn't sure. It seems like there are a lot of 200g+ reported.

There are a few 500g monsters reported too

You just have to be within spec.

 

[Tattersb]

No, no...those are iguanas.