Help me help him.

[tglassburner]

I rescued a male veiled. Hes very active, and friendly, however he is very thin. I got him to eat 1 large cricket this morning and he was drinking while I misted him. I would like to get weight back on him, what would you all recommend to get him safely and quickly back up to a healthy weight? I currently have available as feeders:
B. dubia
G. portentosa
crickets
superworms
mealworms (for my geckos)
waxworms
hornworms
and houseflys

Please help me rehab this poor little guy.

I'll get pictures tonight after work hopefully.

Tom

 

[draetish]

Hornworms are your best bet, but be careful as they will make poop runny if given too much. Keep the crickets going as his staple. He might just be more interested in checking it out and not thinking about food. Do keep him hydrated, that would be the most important thing right now.

 

[tglassburner]

He was happily drinking when I misted him, so I do not feel hydration will be an issue. Can I give him something like a cham version of gatorade, or does this not exist? I left a few crix and superworms in there for him but he may not find them. the previous owner had him in a 4'x4'x7' tall cage. I think he is way too small for that cage. I want to put him in a smaller cage so i can better monitor health, urates, and eating. I am going to get him healthy.

 

[pssh]

Can you post a picture? You may want to invest in a scale to monitor weight. How old is it? Some younger veileds get this thinner look while they're growing, once the growth spurt stops they start to fill in. That being said, he should not look too skinny.

 

[tglassburner]

Supposedly he is around a year old, but is tiny in comparison to my 8 month old female.

This is a pic previous owner took, I'll get more after work.

I need to get a scale, what type do you recommend?

 

[pssh]

Wow that picture is blurry.


A digital gram scale, if you go look through my threads I have one called scale recommendations. Very helpful.

 

[beeze]

I use the kind from WalMart in the kitchen section.....used to weigh food.

I would recommend a vet check up and a fecal. He could have parasites.

 

[tglassburner]

I can tell he is thin, not rib showing thin, but hes fat reserves are non existent. I'm fairly new to chams, but not herps. I will search for your thread about scales. Thanks

Tom

 

[tglassburner]

I already have a vet appt. scheduled for him. I just picked him up yesterday evening. I just think the prev. owner neglected him. She was 16 and just got a car.

 

[draetish]

He was happily drinking when I misted him, so I do not feel hydration will be an issue. Can I give him something like a cham version of gatorade, or does this not exist? I left a few crix and superworms in there for him but he may not find them. the previous owner had him in a 4'x4'x7' tall cage. I think he is way too small for that cage. I want to put him in a smaller cage so i can better monitor health, urates, and eating. I am going to get him healthy.

If the cage is what he is use to I wouldn't change it right now. What if you try the feeder bowl method. I put 6-8 crickets in a bowl and hold it up to my cham and he eats about 4 really fast. I wait a few minutes and offer it again and he finishes them up. That way I know he has eaten that day and I don't worry about it. What about supplements, did the previous owner use them? If you do have an "experienced" vet in the area a check up wouldn't hurt. Again, he is in a new environment and may take a couple of days to feel comfortable.

 

[tglassburner]

The cage is pretty badly setup, he only had some strings, I guess to climb on and a potted pothos. I want to put him into a lllreptile screen cage where I can install a proper misting system, dripper, and maintain proper heat and humidity, this monsterous cage is just way to large for me to properly/easily maintain anything.

 

[draetish]

The cage is pretty badly setup, he only had some strings, I guess to climb on and a potted pothos. I want to put him into a lllreptile screen cage where I can install a proper misting system, dripper, and maintain proper heat and humidity, this monsterous cage is just way to large for me to properly/easily maintain anything.

Your right, I didn't realize it was not adequate, just thought you thought it was too big.

 

[tglassburner]

Your right, I didn't realize it was not adequate, just thought you thought it was too big.

This is a pic previous owner took of cage. Notice there is only a potted pothos at the top

 

[draetish]

That might be a good outdoor cage if you beef it up.

 

[tglassburner]

That might be a good outdoor cage if you beef it up.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[tglassburner]

A digital gram scale, if you go look through my threads I have one called scale recommendations. Very helpful.

I cannot find this using the search function.

 

[draetish]

I cannot find this using the search function.

You can get any type of scale that measures 'grams' like a household type. If you look for a vet scale you're going to pay way too much. Check Wal-Mart, etc.

 

[tglassburner]

He escaped the cage today. I found him on top of the crested gecko tank. I made him a cage that I will turn into a free range, that until his cage arrives will prevent escapes.

Here are the best pics I could get without totally stressing him out.

 

[draetish]

He actually does not look that bad. You'll have him turned around in no time. A vet visit and fecal would be the first thing to do and a good time to get him weighed. Have you given him any hornworms yet?

 

[tglassburner]

He just stared at the hornworm. He did seem to enjoy scouting around his new digs. He appeared to have eaten 1 more cricket sometime during the day.

Should he not be as chubby as my female?