HELP!! Very sick panther chameleon

[Jeag]

I bought a adolescent male chameleon from a pet store 3 weeks ago and when I purchased him I was concerned slightly because his hips were showing and his colors were very very full but they reassured me it's probably because they had just gotten him 2 days prior and he was just stressed. Brought him home and that might I noticed he was making a weird noise but didn't think much of it. Within the next few days he just kept getting worse. He was getting less active and making the weird noise more often so I googled what it might be and he was coughing. Took him to the vet and they are suspecting URI so they put him on Septra antibiotic twice a day. He is now also vomiting anything he eats. He seems to be doing better one second and showing me some color and not coughing and then the next he is struggling to breathe, grey color, and vomiting. I called the veterinarian and he just kept telling me to continue the antibiotic but I feel like there is more going on. Can an URI cause the vomiting? I think he has parasites (hence the thin look, loss of appetite, and vomiting) please help! The pet store is basically saying he is my problem now and I don't want him to die!

 

[Jeag]

The first photo was him a few days ago when I thought he was going to die and the other was yesterday looking a little better. Now today he is vomiting again and loss of color

 

[Jeag]

Also I did order him some reptaid that should be here today and hopefully that will help as well but any pointers would be amazing!

 

[Kristen99]

I just have to say great job on taking this guy in! He looks way better from the day you brought him home! I would get a fecal done if you suspect parasites get him a good look over by a reptile vet your doing great and have a lot of support here if there is a greater problem reptaid won't fix it so I would start at the vet and go from there.

 

[Jeag]

I just have to say great job on taking this guy in! He looks way better from the day you brought him home! I would get a fecal done if you suspect parasites get him a good look over by a reptile vet your doing great and have a lot of support here if there is a greater problem reptaid won't fix it so I would start at the vet and go from there.

Thank you! I called the vet again and he is saying he needs a stool sample to treat the parasites but I'm having a hard time getting one because he isn't having a BM very often due to the lack of appetite and vomiting so I figured I would at least start him on that meanwhile until I can get a stool sample.

 

[Jeag]

Cage Info:
Cage Type - It's a very large custom made glass tank, has screen front and top though for ventilation.
What are the dimensions? Not sure but I know it's a 50 gallon tank
Lighting - Not sure on brand but he has a large strip uvb light, a 75w tropical day lamp, and a 60w night lamp.
What is your daily lighting schedule? Day lights turn on at 7am and off at 8:30pm and night lamp kicks on.
Temperature - What temp range have you created? 82-92 F in baking and 68-70 in bottom
Lowest overnight temp? 69
How do you measure these temps? Digital temp gauges.
Humidity - 45-60%
How are you creating and maintaining these levels? He has a mister that kicks on every 2-4 hours. I change depending on current humidity.
What do you use to measure humidity? A humidity gauge inside his cage.
Plants - A Couple artificial and a ficus
Where is your cage located? In my bedroom that is fairly large Ana doesn't get a lot of traffic other than at night when I'm in there.
Is it near any fans- yes but I don't turn it on. air vents- yes
At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? It's on top of a 4 1/2' dresser. I'm 5'6" and the cage goes about 1-1 1/2 feet above my head

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - make amelobe panther, not sure on age (per store thinks around 8-9 months).
How long has it been in your care? 3 weeks
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Right now more than I should because I have to give him antibiotics 2x day and a critical care supplement.
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? I keep but loaded crickets in his cage and offer super worms 1-2 times a day.
How are you gut-loading your feeders? I use fluckers high calcium cricket diet, fluckers orange cubes, and fluckers cricket quencher and usually some type of fruit and vegetable .
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Once a week I dust his worms with repti calcium.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? A monsoon solo moster
How often and how long to you mist? Every 2-4 hours for 20 seconds
Do you see your chameleon drinking? No
Fecal Description - The white part is slightly orange/yellow so I don't think he's hydrated enough. Fecals are also slightly slimy.
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites. No he has not, the vet wants to buy he is not eating much so not having any BM
History - ?? The pet store said they only got him the day prior so I don't have any.
Current Problem - He is very thin, hips showing, lack of appetite, vomiting undigested food (not every time he eats, just random and it's not usually right after, sometimes several hours later), coughing (he's currently on Septra 2x daily for URI, still climbing pretty well and not quite as active as my other panther but for how sick he is he does pretty well. Also very full color. Most of the time grey or white ish.

 

[kinyonga]

Because this issue has been posted three times I'm answering in this thread...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/help-very-sick-panther.162388/
I realize it's the general discussion forum but it's the thread that has the most advice offered so far.

 

[GwynT]

I would also add that by having such little ventilation, he's prone to getting infections.