Is he okay?

[Veiled Balter]

I've been on vacation for 11 days, and i returned home yesterday. I had a couple friends watch my veiled chameleon, following detailed instructions i gave them before i left. They said everything whent great, tough he didn't eat on the last day. Now that i have return, i'm very worried. He's sitting in the back corner on the ground, and if i reach out to him he starts hissing. I could only get him to eat two crickets. I'm worried about him, and torn about if i should take him to a vet.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I've been on vacation for 11 days, and i returned home yesterday. I had a couple friends watch my veiled chameleon, following detailed instructions i gave them before i left. They said everything whent great, tough he didn't eat on the last day. Now that i have return, i'm very worried. He's sitting in the back corner on the ground, and if i reach out to him he starts hissing. I could only get him to eat two crickets. I'm worried about him, and torn about if i should take him to a vet.

Respectfully, just because your human friends say it went well doesn’t mean your Cham feels it went well! Being on the ground is a bit concerning but If there are no other symptoms I’d give him a few days to settle back into his routine.

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Not saying your friends intentionally did anything to stress him out, but chameleons are pretty cool! They might have really wanted to hold him and “play” with him, and not knowing how to handle a chameleon they might have freaked him out? Whatever the case, I hope your baby feels better soon.

 

[Cham-mom3]

I've been on vacation for 11 days, and i returned home yesterday. I had a couple friends watch my veiled chameleon, following detailed instructions i gave them before i left. They said everything whent great, tough he didn't eat on the last day. Now that i have return, i'm very worried. He's sitting in the back corner on the ground, and if i reach out to him he starts hissing. I could only get him to eat two crickets. I'm worried about him, and torn about if i should take him to a vet.

I have to agree, it sound like he’s very stressed out, has he ever hissed at you before when going to handle him. I have noticed that the slightest change to our family routine will throw my last one off. I would make sure he sees you a lot and maybe put on the night lights. They feel less vulnerable at night and it will show if he has any other issues. Best of luck. My chameleon sat in the top corner of his tank, when I just moved him across the same room, for 2 days.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I have to agree, it sound like he’s very stressed out, has he ever hissed at you before when going to handle him. I have noticed that the slightest change to our family routine will throw my last one off. I would make sure he sees you a lot and maybe put on the night lights. They feel less vulnerable at night and it will show if he has any other issues. Best of luck. My chameleon sat in the top corner of his tank, when I just moved him across the same room, for 2 days.

Please do not put a “night light” on for your Cham, his viv should be as dark as possible at night.

 

[Cham-mom3]

Please do not put a “night light” on for your Cham, his viv should be as dark as possible at night.

When I meant night lights, I just use an infrared heat lamp. That all at night

 

[Cham-mom3]

Please do not put a “night light” on for your Cham, his viv should be as dark as possible at night.

Brody check out thread over counter ointment. Think your input would be very helpful

 

[Brodybreaux25]

When I meant night lights, I just use an infrared heat lamp. That all at night

The same applies to infrared lights. The only form of heat that should be used at night is the ceramic type that emit zero light. And even these are not to be used unless it drops below 55 degrees in your house at night. Your Cham will benefit from a night time temp drop.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Brody check out thread over counter ointment. Think your input would be very helpful

I agree with jacksjill neosporin will do just fine, she will not steer you wrong...

 

[Graves923]

When I meant night lights, I just use an infrared heat lamp. That all at night

As Brody said, zero light at night. Chameleons can see a wider spectrum of light. The red "Infrared" lights commonly sold in the reptile trade might seem dim to you and I, but to a chameleon, it most likely looks like a spot light on them at night.

Just an FYI.

 

[Cham-mom3]

The same applies to infrared lights. The only form of heat that should be used at night is the ceramic type that emit zero light. And even these are not to be used unless it drops below 55 degrees in your house at night. Your Cham will benefit from a night time temp drop.

Thank you. Even my vet didn’t tell me that. I will get one ASAP. Yea my house never drops below 70 or goes over 75. It’s an old house that we just bought, the heat and cold are hard to keep consistant

 

[Syreptyon]

Thank you. Even my vet didn’t tell me that. I will get one ASAP. Yea my house never drops below 70 or goes over 75. It’s an old house that we just bought, the heat and cold are hard to keep consistant

Keep in mind that temperature drops are actually healthy for chameleons at night! Unless your house drops below 50F, you should not be using any supplemental heat at night

 

[JacksJill]

That scared me I thought maybe I had flipped out and told someone to use a light at night. Just for the record keep your chameleon in as dark a situation as humanly possible at night. Don't use blue or red lights only ceramic heat emitters in situations that drop below the 55˚F range at night. If you have to use the room the chameleon is in at night cover the cage with dark cloth. If they get to much light at night they start sleeping during the day and it will affect their health.

 

[Creedyenor]

I was curious does my Alex look healthy ??

 

[JacksJill]

I don't see anything outwardly wrong with him in the picture but chameleons try to hide their weaknesses. Your evaluation of his appetite and behavior is a better guide to his health than a picture can show.
He don't look dehydrated or skinny from here.

 

[Creedyenor]

Been eating for sure huge appitie , just this morning I gave 2 wax works 2 meal worms and 3 or 4 chrickets , I believe my girlfriend threw more chrickets in about a hour ago ? She posted this little before mine .

 

[Creedyenor]

I appreciate it again , I feel more confident I am taking care of Alex right so far thanks again