Hi everyone so I recently got a veil chameleon, not sure how many months but definitely still young. Today I noticed when he woke up he stayed on the same branch and only moved a few inches forward and pretty much stayed there during the whole day cycle. Sometimes laying on his belly and or lifting head upward. His eyes are slightly closed which yesterday they were open but now it's not. I did also see he slowly opened his mouth and shot his tongue out for no reason? At nothing and he keeps puffing up his throat and opening and closing his mouth like if he wanted to bite something. I use a T5 5.0 linear bulb "14 and a Zella 75w Incandescent bulb. I did feed him crickets yesterday about 7 he ate and didn't want anymore.
Help! Not sure what to do
- Thread starter Alannn97
- Start date
LizardLurkin
Member
This looks like a respiratory infection, and it's a really good idea to get to an exotic vet as soon as possible. I'm also noticing their eyes appear more bulgy than usual, too.
Is it possible you could get a photo of your little guy's entire enclosure?
It would also be helpful for you fill out this form, so that you can get better advice:
Cage Info:
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Veterinary care is the only way to get the antibiotics needed to quell their symptoms. I am not sure why your guy would shoot his tongue out for no reason, but it may be in reaction to his problems. I really hope he gets better soon.
Is it possible you could get a photo of your little guy's entire enclosure?
It would also be helpful for you fill out this form, so that you can get better advice:
- Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
- Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
- Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
- Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
- Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
- Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
- History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
- Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
- Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
- Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
- Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
- Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
- Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
- Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Veterinary care is the only way to get the antibiotics needed to quell their symptoms. I am not sure why your guy would shoot his tongue out for no reason, but it may be in reaction to his problems. I really hope he gets better soon.
- Chameleon - male veil chameleon
- Handling - Not much since I got him probably handled For like 15 minutes when I was cleaning his enclosure.
- Feeding - crickets, not gut loaded and dusted with zoo med calcium no d3
- Supplements - zoo med and dusting crickets.
- Watering - I do misting or droplets on a leaf. I've seen him drink off a leaf and also out of a clear glass when I offered him.
- Fecal - not tested for parasites and fecal looked moist and brown
- History- got him from pet smart!
Cage Info:
- Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? 16x16x30 reprtibreeze mesh
- Lighting - reptisun t5 linear bulb 5.0 and a Zilla incandescent bulb 75w Lights off 730 pm and lights on 730 am.
- Temperature - have a temp gauge and humidity and temp seems to be 70F and humidity like in the 60s and at night humidity 50 and temp 65
- Humidity - gauge and I'm using misting and humidifier run at night for 4 hours.
- Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Pothos
- Placement - on a tv stand and not really near any window or vent.
- Location - Where are you geographically located? Southern california
Ok posted!
LizardLurkin
Member
- Chameleon - male veil chameleon
- Handling - Not much since I got him probably handled For like 15 minutes when I was cleaning his enclosure.
- Feeding - crickets, not gut loaded and dusted with zoo med calcium no d3
Here's a handy image for feeding, as well as gutloading.
- Supplements - zoo med and dusting crickets.
Calcium without d3 is good to use for every meal. However, you will need a multivitamin (reptivite) twice a month: at the beginning of the month, and the middle of the month. On those days, you will not use the Calcium without d3. - Watering - I do misting or droplets on a leaf. I've seen him drink off a leaf and also out of a clear glass when I offered him.
You will need to mist twice a day, 30 minutes before lights come on, and 30 minutes before they go off. These sessions are typically two-three minutes each, and you want to get most surfaces in the cage. - Fecal - not tested for parasites and fecal looked moist and brown
Getting a fecal is always a good idea. - History- got him from pet smart!
- Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? 16x16x30 reprtibreeze mesh
Your little guy will quickly outgrow this cage. reptibreeze 2'x2'x4' is a good size for a youngin and an adult chameleon. - Lighting - reptisun t5 linear bulb 5.0 and a Zilla incandescent bulb 75w Lights off 730 pm and lights on 730 am.
Looks good. - Temperature - have a temp gauge and humidity and temp seems to be 70F and humidity like in the 60s and at night humidity 50 and temp 65
Veiled chameleons daytime humidity should be 40-50% during the day, with a spike up to 80-100% at night. With several live plants, maybe even a shower curtain around the right, left, and back sides, achieving this spike will be easier.
A veiled's basking branch should be 9" below the light source, and reach 80f (i believe 85f for an adult male), and at night those temps can go into the mid 60s just fine. - Humidity - gauge and I'm using misting and humidifier run at night for 4 hours.
Does the humidifier function as a fogger? If your home's temps aren't below 65f, I believe this may cause complications, but a more experienced member might have more information on that. - Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Pothos
- Placement - on a tv stand and not really near any window or vent.
- Location - Where are you geographically located? Southern california
LizardLurkin
Member
All in all, I think it's important to get your little cham seen by an exotic vet ASAP. Following this advice as well as Neptune's guide to veiled chameleon care and the chameleon academy's will help in preventing infection in the future.
It seems to me that he came home, already sick
It seems to me that he came home, already sick
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree - looks like a respiratory infection and baby needs a vet visit asap. Young chameleons have zero resources to fall back upon, so can take a nose dive and pass away very quickly. I’m attaching our list of vets who we know have good experience with chameleons. There are several in California so one should be near you.
