MY cham died today trying to find the cause

D

djgeorge07

New Member
Hello ppl unfortunately my cham died today im gutted and now trying to find out what may of caused this.She was about 4 months old veild.She also slowed down on eating,Basking spot was 70 and humidity was around 60-70%.So far im seeing the glass vivarium was not a good choice because of ventilation anyone else agree? and the repti glo 5.0 bulbs were not a good choice either.I have seen after research alot of ppl saying the repti glo's are not good for chams and there have been many known eye issues.Mine did keep closing her eyes and squinting so from what i can see now maybe the bulb caused this?or maybe i did not have it far enough away from her?Basically everything exo terra i bought seems to of been a bad choice.Any thoughts and help would be much appreciated thanks
 
First I would like to say my heart goes out to you with the loss of you cham. I am so deeply sorry.

The repti glo bulbs are not all bad. I have the linear ones and quite happy with them. I do hover do not use the curly compact fluorescent ones. I think 70 is a bit low for the basking area. I am not opposed to the exo terra glass vivarium that has the holes in the front for proper ventilation. I personally use a screen cage... but others have done well with the proper glass ventilated types.

If you really want to know what happened you can have a necropsy (autopsy) performed by a qualified lab.

Again I am so very sorry. Please stick around and learn what you can from the forum as it is better then the information a petstore or book can teach you. Hopefully this will be able to help you in the future.
 
So sorry to hear of your loss.

Short and put simply, a necropsy by a herp vet would be your best bet at finding out the cause. The sooner you do it, the more likely you are to get the correct results.
 
Sorry to hear about your loss :(

Hopefully you find out what the cause was and fix it and maybe gain another companion.

it does seem a basking area of 70 would be a rather low temp. the coldest part of my tank is 70
 
So sorry for your loss

First I am VERY sorry for your loss it is never easy to loose a pet. I agree with everyone the light probably wasn't the reason for her passing but if you fill out the help form we can take a look at your husbandry and see can try to figure it out. another option is taking her to the vet would get you the BEST most accurate reason for her passing. if this isn't an option then the help form will be your best bet as camimom said I have copied the information here it is just copy and paste it with your answers and we can try to figure this out together, I really hope this doesn't discourage you from owning a chameleon again in the future and this is the BEST place for help and information on their care, best of Luck and R.I.P little one!

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?
 
how long did you have her at that basking temp? Was she pooping regularly and was her food digested when she did? Basking should have been at about 85 degrees. I am sorry for your loss.
 
djgeorge07 said:
Hello ppl unfortunately my cham died today im gutted and now trying to find out what may of caused this.She was about 4 months old veild.She also slowed down on eating,Basking spot was 70 and humidity was around 60-70%.So far im seeing the glass vivarium was not a good choice because of ventilation anyone else agree? and the repti glo 5.0 bulbs were not a good choice either.I have seen after research alot of ppl saying the repti glo's are not good for chams and there have been many known eye issues.Mine did keep closing her eyes and squinting so from what i can see now maybe the bulb caused this?or maybe i did not have it far enough away from her?Basically everything exo terra i bought seems to of been a bad choice.Any thoughts and help would be much appreciated thanks
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Basking spot of 70 was certainly too cold. The ambient temps should be 70ish, the basking spot should be at least 85. Was she able to digest her food/poop properly?


The 5.0 CFL bulbs of older days had troubles, but modernly, it should be fine if you use a CFL or a tube light as long as you have a 5.0.


I'd fill out the help form and maybe we can pinpoint what went wrong. Sorry for the loss :(
 
I am very sorry, hope you can get a new Cham, I personally prefer panthers becuase they are sweet tempered and are as easy as veilds.
 
Thank you very much for the replys i would like a panther but dont want to risk anything like this happening again.Ill attach pictures and everything ive done and changed.

i previously had a 100 watt red heat lamp in and a few ppl on here asked why i had a red bulb so i changed to a normal bulb but when i placed a 100 watt in it blew so i put in a 60 watt which was in there about 2 weeks.From the pictures you will see i had a repti glo 5.0 bulb i thought this may of caused problem purely because she started to squint and keep her eyes closed alot.The uv bulb was approx 6inches away from where she sits at her highest point same as basking light.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? yemen,female,4months in my care about 6 weeks
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?about twice every 2 weeks
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?locust,originally about 7 but she slowed down on here eating i would see what i put in still there few days later.orginally i used nutrobal every feed then was advised arkvits every feed
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?little dripper system see her using it fine.mist 2-3 times a day with boiled water(cooled down)
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?dark brown with a little white type dropping
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?Glass exxo terra 3ft down by 2ft wide
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?repti glo 5.0,60watt basking light by pro rep.uv on for 12 hours and heat for 8-10 hours
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?temp stayed around 70 with the 60watt bulb was 80-90 with the 100watt red bulb.At night i switched heat lamp off as reccomended.exo terra gauges
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?around 70% exo terra gauge.mist
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?1 ficus
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?corner of living room about 3ft from the ground
Location - Where are you geographically located?uk wiltshire

Thank you all for your time
 
Sorry forgot pictures also forgot to add i use bug grub and bug gel
 

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The substrate at the bottom is not good as it can be ingested and lead to impaction. Most people prefer a screen cage as well for ventilation.
 
what was the red bulb for? Did you use a night bulb? and did the temps in the glass enclosure vary like 70 on the bottom and 90 up by the bulb or was it 70 with one and 90 with the other, they need to be able to "beat the heat" so to speak, and get out of the heat periodically. Temps may have been an issue.
 
djgeorge07 said:
Thank you very much for the replys i would like a panther but dont want to risk anything like this happening again.Ill attach pictures and everything ive done and changed.

i previously had a 100 watt red heat lamp in and a few ppl on here asked why i had a red bulb so i changed to a normal bulb but when i placed a 100 watt in it blew so i put in a 60 watt which was in there about 2 weeks.From the pictures you will see i had a repti glo 5.0 bulb i thought this may of caused problem purely because she started to squint and keep her eyes closed alot.The uv bulb was approx 6inches away from where she sits at her highest point same as basking light.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? yemen,female,4months in my care about 6 weeks
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?about twice every 2 weeks i am assuming by this she is about 4-5 months old when she passed?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?locust,originally about 7 but she slowed down on here eating i would see what i put in still there few days later.orginally i used nutrobal every feed then was advised arkvits every feed
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?I am not sure if you didn't use any supplements but not using supplements can cause problems. She should have been getting calcium without D3 every feeding, Calcium without D3 2 times a month and a multivitamin 2 times a month as well. everyday she should have been getting 1 of these 3 supplements.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?little dripper system see her using it fine.mist 2-3 times a day with boiled water(cooled down)
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?dark brown with a little white type droppingDid she ever have poop when you could see pieces of the bugs body parts intact in the poop?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?Glass exxo terra 3ft down by 2ft wideIf she was only 4-5 months glass enclosures are okay but screen is recommended. some places maintain humidity better with glass. Glass has been known to cause respiratory problems in chameleons so that could be a possibility but a vet would be only way to confirm
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?repti glo 5.0,60watt basking light by pro rep.uv on for 12 hours and heat for 8-10 hoursShe should have had both these lights on a 12 hours schedule to be able to metabolize her food and be able to properly regulate her body temp.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?temp stayed around 70 with the 60watt bulb was 80-90 with the 100watt red bulb.At night i switched heat lamp off as reccomended.exo terra gauges 70 is much too low of a temp. They need to have temp around 85-90 F in order to be able to digest their food. The fact that she slowed down on her eating could be the cause of her passing but again only a vet could confirm this
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?around 70% exo terra gauge.mist
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?1 ficus
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?corner of living room about 3ft from the ground
Location - Where are you geographically located?uk wiltshire

Thank you all for your time
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Again I am SO sorry for your loss I really hope that someday you will try owning another chameleon. I can tell that you loved your chameleon or you wouldn't be on here trying to find out what happened. Good luck with everything. Again I am sorry for your loss
 
Thank you for all the replys and advice :) I've now got a baby panther 10 weeks old.Hes in a 30x30x45 glass exo viv.Temp is around 85 and 70 in other areas of the viv.i have. 2.0 repti glo and giving him calcium every feed and nutrobal 3 times per week.hes being fed small crickets and fruit flies.Im thinking if selling my 3ft by 2ft exo glass viv after comments which I was planning on putting him in when he's older anyone know if any good vivs on eBay or elsewher or are the exo glass vivs perfectly fine.Thanks
 
Congrats to the new Cham. Hope he lives long and healthy.

I would switch to a 5.0 UVB for a panther. And for 10 months old I personally would Already provide a larger enclosure as well. At least 60 cm of height. Mine is having a 91 cm tall enclosure and is not even 10 months yet.
 
Congratulations on getting the new baby. Do you have another bulb for UVB? From the ExoTerra site:

It is recommended to combine a high UVB output (Repti Glo 5.0 and 10.0) with a very high visual light output (Repti Glo 2.0) for optimal results.
...
The Exo Terra Repti Glo 2.0 is a general light source with a high visual light output and a very high colour rendering index (CRI), but a lower UVB radiation. This bulb is suitable for snakes, all amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders) and nocturnal animals. Plants will thrive under this light as well. It is also a perfect complementary light to a UVB bulb to boost visual light.
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