I'm afraid my baby is dying.

[TheLivingLegend]

Molly, I think you were sold a baby that was just too young.

How small are the crickets you are feeding? You might want to try fruit flies and 1/3 grown crickets (or maybe pinheads) for a baby that young.

Some of the best keepers on this forum use the compact fluorescents now. When lights are the problem it typically presents as a squinting, eyes closed chameleon, not a chameleon going off food.

Try the smaller food, see if that doesn't help.

My cham was 5 weeks old when I brought it home. Its not too small, but they can be unpredictable and are not at their 3-4 month age yet. We have a cham that is having a hard time aiming at its food and using a bulb that has a reptuation of killing and blinding chams. Should still take him to a vet, wouldnt hurt. Hope for the best for your lyl guy.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

many keepers on here use the compacts and very successfully. This subject has gone round and round on here and the compacts are safe. It is proven cause the chameleons are thriving. The issue you are talking about was quite a few years back. I personally use the tubes cause I like how they spread the lights out across the cage as opposed to the dome which is more concentrated. No offense, but I don't think you should make statements unless you are sure what you are talking about.

If it was fixed long ago then why are people still having problems with them. No offense but maybe you should do some more research before you make statements.

 

[carol5208]

really, who is having the problems???? How many chameleon keepers on here do you know of???? I don't need to do any research. I have been a member on here long enough to know what i am talking about.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

really, who is having the problems???? How many chameleon keepers on here do you know of???? I don't need to do any research. I have been a member on here long enough to know what i am talking about.

Why are monitors doing things like attacking the compact when the owner switches to one to make his cage look nicer? A friend of mine has over 150 chams, has been doing it for years, and works at a reputable reptile store. The entire staff at all their stores are aware of cham forum. Even the people at petco will tell you these things are a bad idea, and we all know how knowledgeable they are.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

At one time there was a manufacturing problem with the ReptiSun CFL UVB bulbs so that they emitted unsafe levels of UVB and even UVC rays, which corresponded to health problems like eye problems and burns in reptiles. This manufacturing issue was identified and corrected by the manufacturer several years ago and thus we have not seen problems with it since then unless someone unluckily picked up an older bulb from before correction. The ReptiGlo CFL UVB bulbs were never associated with these harmful effects. The linear ReptiGlo or ReptiSun bulbs have never had any health problems associated with them either.

Us senior members have been doing it for years also. Like 10 or 20 years for some who have commented already. One of our most knowledgeable forum members who is actually a chameleon biology researcher has been using CFLs for many years without any problems and on a variety of very sensitive species. That they are still dangerous and cause blinding is outdated information.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

At one time there was a manufacturing problem with the ReptiSun CFL UVB bulbs so that they emitted unsafe levels of UVB and even UVC rays, which corresponded to health problems like eye problems and burns in reptiles. This manufacturing issue was identified and corrected by the manufacturer several years ago and thus we have not seen problems with it since then unless someone unluckily picked up an older bulb from before correction. The ReptiGlo CFL UVB bulbs were never associated with these harmful effects. The linear ReptiGlo or ReptiSun bulbs have never had any health problems associated with them either.

Us senior members have been doing it for years also. Like 10 or 20 years for some who have commented already. One of our most knowledgeable forum members who is actually a chameleon biology researcher has been using CFLs for many years without any problems and on a variety of very sensitive species. That they are still dangerous and cause blinding is outdated information.

If they corrected it several years ago, I think it would be a little for difficult for someone to end up with one and be having problems within the last couple years. If these bulbs were 100%, I dont think monitors would be attacking the cfl when the owner switches to one to make his cage look nicer. Why is someone that is supposed to be a professional cham person using inferior bulbs that don't produce as good of uvb spread across the cage? Whether they are safe or not. Good to know cham forum has very very knowledgeable members for a very long time. Chamforum, the #1 place to go for cham info.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

If they corrected it several years ago, I think it would be a little for difficult for someone to end up with one and be having problems within the last couple years.

Agreed so who have you seen having problems?

One thing you will learn about chameleonforums.com is we are very dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date information and really do not tolerate spread of unperpetuated myths or outdated information since there is already so much misinformation out there on chameleons. We do not need more of that. If you are going to make a statement about something and argue that you are right you must have proof. 'Having a friend with chams' is not enough. We have chams and have had them for a while and have been talking about ways to improve husbandry for a long time with some very bright and involved people. We spend a lot of time making sure that good information is given out with evidence behind it and we are proud of that. If you want to try to change that you need to provide factual evidence.

 

[carol5208]

:

If they corrected it several years ago, I think it would be a little for difficult for someone to end up with one and be having problems within the last couple years.

Exactly, and that is why people use them. And we are talking chameleons on here and not monitors. And I am curious, if you have a friend who has over 150 chameleons why did he not teach you about females and egg binding. I am assuming out of the 150 chameleons he has, that they are not all male???

 

[Meow Kitty]

no offence guys but you jacked this thread and i feel terrible for Molly come on guys >.>

 

[MollyT]

I think the problem might be that I bought a new one on Monday. Maybe, since it's new, it's a bit too bright for a baby. I am going to get him out in the sun tomorrow and see if that helps, then I am going to switch back to the old bulb. The breeder gave me the other bulb and said they switch them out every 6 months and that the one he gave me was maybe 2 months old. I will go back to that one after a day or two in the sun and see if that helps. Hopefully he will turn around and start eating again. Today was his first day with no food. We will see how tomorrow goes. Thank you for all of your advice. Hopefully my little guy makes it!

 

[MollyT]

Thank you, Meow Kitty.

I really do appreciate the advice on everything. I have found this site to be very informative and love that I can get advice from people that have been raising these wonderful creatures for many years, as well as scientists and veterinarians. It has definitely been the most informative place I have found. I will keep everyone updated on my little guy.

 

[Meow Kitty]

I think the problem might be that I bought a new one on Monday. Maybe, since it's new, it's a bit too bright for a baby. I am going to get him out in the sun tomorrow and see if that helps, then I am going to switch back to the old bulb. The breeder gave me the other bulb and said they switch them out every 6 months and that the one he gave me was maybe 2 months old. I will go back to that one after a day or two in the sun and see if that helps. Hopefully he will turn around and start eating again. Today was his first day with no food. We will see how tomorrow goes. Thank you for all of your advice. Hopefully my little guy makes it!

Best wishes i bet he'll be hungry tomorrow (also make sure he's drinking as my cham got dehydrated and stopped eating for close to 2 weeks), you shouldn't be discouraged since your husbandry is great and you have the passion.

 

[carol5208]

no offence guys but you jacked this thread and i feel terrible for Molly come on guys >.>

we are helping Molly, don't worry. Sometimes things get off topic and sidetracked especially when people make statements that they have no clue what they are talking about.

 

[maxttu]

I think the problem might be that I bought a new one on Monday. Maybe, since it's new, it's a bit too bright for a baby. I am going to get him out in the sun tomorrow and see if that helps, then I am going to switch back to the old bulb. The breeder gave me the other bulb and said they switch them out every 6 months and that the one he gave me was maybe 2 months old. I will go back to that one after a day or two in the sun and see if that helps. Hopefully he will turn around and start eating again. Today was his first day with no food. We will see how tomorrow goes. Thank you for all of your advice. Hopefully my little guy makes it!

That's actually a very good idea on switching lights. What hasn't been mentioned yet is that some breeders suggest using an almost expired UVB as to not harm a young chams eyes. Do the outside thing for a couple of days and go back to the older bulb.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I agree your husbandry sounds good Molly. The only thing that could use improvement is your gutloading. You didn't mention anything that has good calcium content. Here is some information on gutloading. Dark leafy greens like mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion leaves, and collard greens should be the primary components of your gutloading. However, I do not think this is causing the problems you are seeing.

I too fear that he was just too young when he was sold to you, which is irresponsible of the breeder because now you are struggling with him through no fault of your own and watching him decline. Changing to the old bulb is not a bad idea since that's what changed recently and the bulb still has life left. Real sunlight can do wonders so if he can get some real sun then I would recommend it! But make sure he can bask in the sun in the safety of a plant. At that age all his instincts are telling him to hide from predators since he's so vulnerable so if you try to just let him sit on your hand it might be too stressful. You can even move his whole cage outside if it's screen and safe to do so and then it won't change his environment much. I'm sorry he's having problems and I hope he turns the corner for you!

 

[TheLivingLegend]

:

Exactly, and that is why people use them. And we are talking chameleons on here and not monitors. And I am curious, if you have a friend who has over 150 chameleons why did he not teach you about females and egg binding. I am assuming out of the 150 chameleons he has, that they are not all male???

Cuz when I asked about why my cham was on the ground he wasnt one of the 2 people I asked about it. The owner and the other guy come to find out are the 2 that have a lot of experience with chams. I guess I asked the guys that put water in dishes and crickets in bags. Im giving an example of one species that still has issues with cfl. The owner of the reptile store I go to still has problems with cfl's and the chams even after the whole "cfl being fixed" myth. Sells jacksons, ambilobes, nosy bes, nosy falys, sambavas, and of course veileds. Im sure it has been improved, but its obviously causing issues still.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

The owner of the cham store I go to still has problems with cfl's and the chams even after the whole "cfl being fixed" myth. Sells jacksons, ambilobes, nosy bes, nosy falys, sambavas, and of course veileds. Im sure it has been improved, but its obviously causing issues.

What kind of problems? What brand of CFL? After being used how long? What is the rest of husbandry like? How do you know something else didn't cause the problems, whatever they were? You have not convinced me of anything yet.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

What kind of problems? What brand of CFL? After being used how long? What is the rest of husbandry like? How do you know something else didn't cause the problems, whatever they were? You have not convinced me of anything yet.

Not trying to convince you. I didnt ask him 50 questions as to why hes having problems with them or the brand he is using when hes trying to run a business. Would the brand matter if cfl's have been fixed? I think the guy knows what the problems are caused by after dealing with reptiles for over 35 years. They know about the whole 6 month safe guard thing, and to stay away from budget uvb's for obvious reasons.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I think the problem might be that I bought a new one on Monday. Maybe, since it's new, it's a bit too bright for a baby. I am going to get him out in the sun tomorrow and see if that helps, then I am going to switch back to the old bulb. The breeder gave me the other bulb and said they switch them out every 6 months and that the one he gave me was maybe 2 months old. I will go back to that one after a day or two in the sun and see if that helps. Hopefully he will turn around and start eating again. Today was his first day with no food. We will see how tomorrow goes. Thank you for all of your advice. Hopefully my little guy makes it!

Good luck!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Not trying to convince you. I didnt ask him 50 questions as to why hes having problems with them or the brand he is using when hes trying to run a business. Would the brand matter if cfl's have been fixed? I think the guy knows what the problems are caused by after dealing with reptiles for over 35 years. They know about the whole 6 month safe guard thing, and to stay away from budget uvb's for obvious reasons.

You can't just make generic statements because if there actually is a problem we need to know with which brand to identify it. I think 'the guy you know' is poor evidence at best. Like I said, we need facts. If you don't have them, then you can't say things like that when all of our collective evidence (combined is probably hundreds of years of experience) says otherwise very conclusively. It is spreading a rumor at that point, which can be dangerous.