Help please

[DeFishy]

Hi, I'm new here and new to chameleons. I now am the proud owner of a young (baby) panther Chameleon named Arda. Who is very beautiful and very personable. I am also the keeper of another young veiled chameleon named Necro. I am not the owner as he belongs to my friend, but unfortunetly (due to cage constraints and work he is unable to care for him right now) and unfortunetly because of this, the little guy is quite ill. I am now working hard to find a good suppliment for his diet as I have to force feed him , I've mushed up blue berries into a liquid so far and mixed it with some calcium powder to start but what would you guys reccomend? I've gotten him to eat a little but not much.He wont eat crickets right now, and I've been working on keeping him really good and damp, mixing water with the food and misting regularily. I've only had him about a day, but I want him to get better. Please help.

 

[opihiman]

Welcome to the forums.

Addition information may be helpful

fill out the following

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage construction (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and type 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?
Location - 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?

Chameleon Info:
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.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

Pictures are helpful

I think there is a Rescue Diet on here some where, but it would be important to figure out what the underlying problem is. If it is a URI then antibiotics may be necessary too.

Hope this helps...and Welcome again

OPI

 

[DeFishy]

Ok, so here's what I've got (Note: This is my friend's chameleon and I've only had him a day) I think I've got everything here, hope this helps, and thanks for the welcome

Cage:
Cage Type: Glass enclosure with screen lid (small)
Lighting: 100W SunGlow Bulb, 75 W MoonGlow Bulb
Temperature:80F at night, 85-90F during the day
Humidity: Medium (regular heavy misting, damp paper towel)
Plants: none but fake with some dead (treated) branches
Location: In front of window, back of the room, medium height off ground.

Chameleon:
General: He is about 6 months I beleive (based on size), Male, Veiled, 6+ hours
Handling:handled before transport for inspection, handled during shower, and while being fed. Left alone afterwards.
Feeding:Crushed up blueberries with water and calcium suppliment (wont eat live food)
Suppliments: Don't remember the name right off the bat
Watering: Frequent misting
Fecal Description: None yet
History:He has a history of going on starvations but has been brought back before. He has been dewormed recently.
Current Problem: Unknown, not eating, definately dehydrated, skinny and bony, weak, lack of movement.

 

[skeeta]

Hi DeFishy, welcome!

Sorry you are having troubles, but if you follow Opihiman's advise and answer the questions IN DETAIL (for both chameleons, not just the sick guy) you will get some great info and advice.

He won't eat crickets but WILL eat blueberry juice?! Try the infamous BUGJUICE. (if you dare, squish up some crickets and gently drip them into his mouth) But first let us know all the details.

The sooner the better!

 

[skeeta]

Okay, there are several things to deal with. Many will be found in Brad's excellent site http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/.

Read it and correct what you can (live plants are a must for several reasons)

Again, when you get a chance answer the question for your panther an well in case there are some future problems in the making.

Remember I said in DETAIL. Actual sizes (tape measure) names of supplements etc.

Let's get busy and get that cham healthy!

p.s. what type of UVB light is being used, he may have MBD if there is none.

 

[opihiman]

Your diet seems a little protein deficient. You may consider ensure or something with a little more balance to help.

also if possble since you are already force feeding may some small silkies or supers to supplement.

I would also you caution you on how much you are trying to hydrate. It may be a bit much at this point to put him in a shower, force feed, and tolerate a move yet.

Keeping temps at night a little warmer may also be beneficial.



More questions :

do you see your cham sitting with it's mouth open. and if he so, can you hear noises when he/she is breathing.

Metal halide blulbs are more intense than florecent tube lights. your viv may need more areas to hide and get out of light to rest.

hope that helps.

OPI

 

[DeFishy]

Re: Info again

I have transfered him to a 10gal aquarium temporarily. This is just so that if he has some sort of infection that it doesn't spread to my other cham. Ok, so his new stats are: No, I havn't noticed him do that. All I've seen him do is drink. He doesn't do much at all

Cage:
Cage Type: 10 gal aquarium with aquarium lid (but cut open in several spaces to allow for air flow)
Lighting: 100W SunGlow Bulb, 75 W MoonGlow Bulb
Temperature:80F at night, 85-90F during the day
Humidity: 60 (regular heavy misting, damp paper towel)
Plants: none; fake with some dead (treated) branches
Location: In front of window, back of the room, medium height off ground.

Chameleon:
General: He is about 6 months I beleive (based on size), Male, Veiled, 6+ hours
Handling:handled before transport for inspection, handled during shower, and while being fed. Left alone afterwards.
Feeding:Crushed up blueberries with water and calcium suppliment (wont eat live food)
Suppliments: Don't remember the name right off the bat
Watering: Frequent misting
Fecal Description: None yet
History:He has a history of going on starvations but has been brought back before. He has been dewormed recently. His previous tank size had been far to big for him (more for an adult cham)
Current Problem: Unknown, not eating, definately dehydrated, skinny and bony, weak, lack of movement.

As for my Little Lady:

Cage:
Cage Type: Glass enclosure with screen lid (small)
Lighting: 100W SunGlow Bulb, 75 W MoonGlow Bulb
Temperature:80F at night, 85-90F during the day
Humidity: 65-70 (regular heavy misting, damp paper towel)
Plants: none but fake with some dead (treated) branches
Location: In front of window, back of the room, medium height off ground.

Chameleon:
General: She is about 3-4 months old, female, panther, 6+ hours (but worked with her for two weeks+)
Handling:handled during shower. Left alone afterwards.
Feeding:Fed in the morning with 1/2" crickets (uncertain if they have had any suppliments) But she looks nice and chubby and happy
Suppliments: Don't remember the name right off the bat
Watering: Frequent misting
Fecal Description: None yet
History: No medical history I am aware of, captive bred, I have been in close contact with her since she arrived at the PJ's Pet store 2 months ago.
Current Problem: None.

 

[opihiman]

Can you post pics of your set up and chams?

OPI

 

[DeFishy]

Unfortuntely no, I don't have a camera at all.

 

[opihiman]

Unfortuntely no, I don't have a camera at all.

cell phone with camera...that might do...

 

[DeFishy]

No, I mean literally, I have NO camera. My phone has to be replaced and wont be for a while. So far I've gotten him to eat a little by force feeding him cricket legs but that's about it.

 

[skeeta]

Hi DeFishy, progress report on the little one? Where in Canada are you located? (might be a kind soul nearby to give you a hand)