Male Veiled Chameleon Eye/Eating problem!

[falsefoundations]

He has been like this for two weeks (maybe more), I know that's a long time, but I've made sure he's atleast drank water, by somewhat forcing him to drink it. His eyes are completely closed, he's looking abnormally skinny, and it's to the point where I'm beyond worried. I'm 17 and my mother thinks he doesn't need to be brought to a vet, and I've been bringing this up ever since I got him, since she purchased him from probably the most horrible pet shop in Florida. I've been in there and saw their chameleons so dehydrated it was tear-jerking.
Anyways!
Below is some information that I can provide to the best of my knowledge.
I don't know his age exactly, as the petshop lied to us on multiple occasions regarding him.
If you need more accurate information, I will try to get it, but this is to, as I said, the best of my knowledge.



Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Vieled, Male, I've had him since Decemeber 25th of 2011.
Handling - 3 days out of a week, maybe more or less.
Feeding - 15-20 crickets every other day, rather large. Fluker's cricket diet along with water blocks.
Supplements - I just got a new brand-- Rep-Cal, Calcium with VIT.D, and every other feeding.
Watering - I have a dropper dropping into a medium waterfall. I mist him 3 times for about a minute every day, or when I can.
Fecal Description - White.
Has the chameleon ever been tested for parasites? - No.
History - When I recieved him the guy said he was about 4 months old.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Combo, glass all around but screen at the top and bottom. I don't know the dimensions, but i'd say about 1 1/2 ft x 1 ft x 2ft
Lighting - The white squiggly light bulb with the regular blue light bulb. I keep it on during the day, then turn it off at night.
Temperature - 85 degrees. His basking spot is about 90 degrees. I have a thermometer in there.
Plants - No, plastic. I was curious as to which live I should place into here, but never could find a good answer.
Placement - On a night stand in my room next to my bed, fan right near it that circulates throughout the room.
Location - Ruskin, Florida.

 

[AngieL]

He has been like this for two weeks (maybe more), I know that's a long time, but I've made sure he's atleast drank water, by somewhat forcing him to drink it. His eyes are completely closed, he's looking abnormally skinny, and it's to the point where I'm beyond worried. I'm 17 and my mother thinks he doesn't need to be brought to a vet, and I've been bringing this up ever since I got him, since she purchased him from probably the most horrible pet shop in Florida. I've been in there and saw their chameleons so dehydrated it was tear-jerking.
Anyways!
Below is some information that I can provide to the best of my knowledge.
I don't know his age exactly, as the petshop lied to us on multiple occasions regarding him.
If you need more accurate information, I will try to get it, but this is to, as I said, the best of my knowledge.



Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Vieled, Male, I've had him since Decemeber 25th of 2011.
Handling - 3 days out of a week, maybe more or less.
Feeding - 15-20 crickets every other day, rather large. Fluker's cricket diet along with water blocks.
Supplements - I just got a new brand-- Rep-Cal, Calcium with VIT.D, and every other feeding.
Watering - I have a dropper dropping into a medium waterfall. I mist him 3 times for about a minute every day, or when I can.
Fecal Description - White.
Has the chameleon ever been tested for parasites? - No.
History - When I recieved him the guy said he was about 4 months old.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Combo, glass all around but screen at the top and bottom. I don't know the dimensions, but i'd say about 1 1/2 ft x 1 ft x 2ft
Lighting - The white squiggly light bulb with the regular blue light bulb. I keep it on during the day, then turn it off at night.
Temperature - 85 degrees. His basking spot is about 90 degrees. I have a thermometer in there.
Plants - No, plastic. I was curious as to which live I should place into here, but never could find a good answer.
Placement - On a night stand in my room next to my bed, fan right near it that circulates throughout the room.
Location - Ruskin, Florida.

Ok IMO you should get rid of the waterfall, they breed bacteria and your chaneleon won't use it to drink.

I would mist longer maybe 4-6 times a day. If you can't be there to do it, ask your mum or get an automated mister.

Calcium with d3 should only be used twice a month. But is its the rep cap plus I've been reading about then it's ok to use but you should be dusting daily.

Real plants you can use are ficus, pothos, umbrella plants and there a safe plant database on this forum

 

[AngieL]

You should also improve on your gutloading. Try some fresh fruit and veg and have a look at Sandrachameleon's recipe for dry gutload

 

[jurjenfromholland]

i can be totaly wrong but i dont
see any uvb light...
and check your tempratures...

 

[AngieL]

i can be totaly wrong but i dont
see any uvb light...
and check your tempratures...

I think the UVB might be the 'white squiggly bulb' meaning a compact UVB spiral?

 

[blackened]

I think the UVB might be the 'white squiggly bulb' meaning a compact UVB spiral?

That's what I had assumed as well.

Feeding: I'd try to give him some variety in his diet. Crickets, silkworms, hornworms, maybe try some dubia cockroaches. Silkworms and hornworms are very nutritious and great for hydrating your chameleon.

I see you are gutloading with flukers. Personally I'd put some fresh fruit and veg in there too. For a list of good gutload materials I recommend sandrachameleon's blog: Link

Supplementation: Your veiled requires plain, phosphorus free calcium (with no D3) with every feeder. As Angie suggests, you will also need calcium with D3 twice a month and a multivitamin twice a month.

Plain calcium is very important as it helps to prevent hypocalcemia (a form of Metabolic Bone Disease or MBD). Too much D3 will result in the condition hypervitaminosis D. Symptoms of hypervitaminosis D include weight loss and dehydration.

Temperature: For a 5-12 month old male veiled a basking temperature of 82-85F is recommended by DavidBuchan & the blog writer ChameleonsInMyHouse (both seasoned, trustworthy veiled keepers): Link

Here is a link to the plant database: Link

Hydration: Again, as Angie says, up the number of mistings and for longer periods of time. Many members suggest taking your chameleon onto a plant and into the shower. Have the spray ricochet off of a nearby wall (not directly at him). The water should be luke warm, not cold, not hot. Try that for about 15 minutes.

Lighting: Most members will recommend you use a regular, household, incandescent bulb for your basking light. They are affordable, long lasting and easily attainable. As for a UVB the standard on this forum is the reptisun 5.0 fluorescent tube bulb. It has a much better light gradient than the compact UVB bulbs have (assuming that's what you have).

I would second your opinion that a visit to a good herp vet is a very good idea.

All advice above from other members is good.

Let us know how you get on.