Is my cham getting enough water?

comtec101

comtec101

New Member
Her urates are white with orange tip but her eyes seem to be really sunken in compared to other veileds I see around her age. She is around 5 months, I spray 3 times daily for 3 minutes each. I also have the little dripper running at about a drip per second. Could there be other causes for sunken eyes other than dehydration? Attached is a picture of 1 of her eyes. It was hard getting a good one because I used an Iphone to get it but both eyes on each side look about the same. Could it also be because it is a picture of her eye looking out to the side and not straight or behind. The wrinkles go away for the most part when she is looking straight. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Edit: Before someone asks about plants, I forgot to add...I have 2 ficus plants inside a large screen cage enclosure.
 

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I would fill out the ask for help for and paste it in here. I really cant see a difference in the pictures but if you feel that they are sunkin in I would make a vet visit asap.
 
Might have an eye infection? What kind of lighting do you have?

A white urate with a yellow tip isn't bad. If most of the urate is white I think shes hydrated enough. She could be rubbing her eye on plants or branches causing an irritation. What kind of plants are you using?
 
I use the suggested reptisun 5.0 uvb linear 18 inch tube and it sits on top of the screen enclosure diagonally. Basking temps stay at 84 degrees. I use 2 ficus plants. Humidity levels between 30-60 percent
 
I also dont think shes rubbing it at all. I work from home some days and I sit at my computer with her at the corner of my eye almost all day. I dont see any interesting behaviors. Never seen her drink out of the dripper before.

I also feed her about 9-10 .5" crickets a day and some very small superworms (5-6) and/or 1 butterworm/waxworm as a snack throughout the day that she eats from my hand.

She is just about to shed for the first time since I got her about a month and a half ago.
 
I see what you're saying about the eyes. I notice you said an "orange" tip...Would it be possible to take a picture of the poop? (I believe this is the first time in 13 years online I've asked that question). You might mist a bit more and make sure your water drip is landing on leaves. I've noticed when my husband helps me by refilling water during the day he doesn't always get it placed so it drips on leave...
 
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled. Not 100% on age but I think around 4 months.
Handling - 2-3 times weekly
Feeding - Crickets, superworms, waxworms, butterworms, silk worms. Crickets daily (9-10 half inch). Either a few micro superworms or 1 waxworm/butterworm/silk worm as a snack during day
Supplements - Repcal 5 times a week without d3, repcal with d3 twice monthly, reptivite without d3 twice monthly.
Watering - I mist for 3 minutes 2-3 times daily. I have "The Little Dripper" dripping from the top of the enclosure at about 1 drip per second. I have never seen my cham drink before.
Fecal Description - Urates are small and skinny but white with orange tip. Feces looks normal.
History - Bought from petsmart :eek:

Cage Info:
Cage Type - 18x18x36 all screen enclosure
Lighting - Lights on when sun comes up (cage is next to a window where sun shines through). I turn on heat lamps and uvb when I wake up about 2-3 hours after the sun. I use reptisun 5.0 uvb linear tube 18".
Temperature - I have a digital temp right at basking spot and it sits at 84 degrees. Overnight lowest ive seen is mid 60s.
Humidity - Digital hygrometer. Humidity levels between 30-60% done from misting 2-3 times daily for 2-3 minutes.
Plants - 2 Ficus plants that fit the enclosure nicely
Placement - The cage is located by my computer desk in my room. It is near a fan I have running when im in the room. The top of the cage is 6 feet from the floor
Location - Southern California

Current Problem - Worried about possible lack of water. Eyes look sunken. Never seen her drink. No other abnormal behaviors.
 
Elizadolots said:
I see what you're saying about the eyes. I notice you said an "orange" tip...Would it be possible to take a picture of the poop? (I believe this is the first time in 13 years online I've asked that question). You might mist a bit more and make sure your water drip is landing on leaves. I've noticed when my husband helps me by refilling water during the day he doesn't always get it placed so it drips on leave...
Click to expand...

I can do this after I get back from some errands. Be back in a couple hours.
 
comtec101 said:
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled. Not 100% on age but I think around 4 months.
Handling - 2-3 times weekly
Feeding - Crickets, superworms, waxworms, butterworms, silk worms. Crickets daily (9-10 half inch). Either a few micro superworms or 1 waxworm/butterworm/silk worm as a snack during day
Supplements - Repcal 5 times a week without d3, repcal with d3 twice monthly, reptivite without d3 twice monthly.
Watering - I mist for 3 minutes 2-3 times daily. I have "The Little Dripper" dripping from the top of the enclosure at about 1 drip per second. I have never seen my cham drink before.
Fecal Description - Urates are small and skinny but white with orange tip. Feces looks normal.
History - Bought from petsmart :eek:

Cage Info:
Cage Type - 18x18x36 all screen enclosure
Lighting - Lights on when sun comes up (cage is next to a window where sun shines through). I turn on heat lamps and uvb when I wake up about 2-3 hours after the sun. I use reptisun 5.0 uvb linear tube 18".
Temperature - I have a digital temp right at basking spot and it sits at 84 degrees. Overnight lowest ive seen is mid 60s.
Humidity - Digital hygrometer. Humidity levels between 30-60% done from misting 2-3 times daily for 2-3 minutes.
Plants - 2 Ficus plants that fit the enclosure nicely
Placement - The cage is located by my computer desk in my room. It is near a fan I have running when im in the room. The top of the cage is 6 feet from the floor
Location - Southern California

Current Problem - Worried about possible lack of water. Eyes look sunken. Never seen her drink. No other abnormal behaviors.
Click to expand...

If urates are white than she is drinkin. Does the fan blow towards the cage? because that can cause dust going into the cage and that can get into her eyes
 
Your husbandry seems pretty okay from the looks of it. Try not to handle your chameleon much. As for the poop, sounds good to me. If your cham doesn't poop every day, a little orange isn't an issue. An all orange urate is something you would need to be concerned about.

You should bring your cham in for a check up at the vets. You might need some medication for the eye possibly. It does look a little sunken. Chameleons are good at hiding underlying issues. Better to err on the side of caution, especially since it came from Petsmart. They tend to mistreat their chameleons from what I've seen and heard ...
 
Do you have a laying bin in the cage? I know you said she is only 4 mos but your avatar shows her pretty plump. I don't think it's a bad idea to have one in there anyway.
 
If shes dehydrated then id really watch feeding her supers. They are high in chitin and she could get constipated. I'd try silks or horns instead. Maybe try putting her in a warm/ not hot shower for a half hr.
 
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