my veiled chameleon is acting weird

[Crokcrok]

My female veiled chameleon (named Zucchini)
Her age is unknown all I know is she’s young. She’s not eating and her eyes are a bit sunken in, I’ve had her for a week and I’ve noticed she hasn’t been as active as the first days we had her. This is my first time having a chameleon and I’m really worried that she is very ill. The pictures are of her and her set up.shes also had her eyes closed a lot lately and I have no idea if that means anything, I mist her cage around 3 or 4 times a day, her basking light is 88.3 degrees Fahrenheit, I forgot the information of the bulbs but they came in a kit that I got at Petco that had the reptibreeze(the tank) the lights and lightbulbs,some fake plants to put on the cage and samples of the calcium supplement (without D3) I don’t really know if her poop and pee(I think it’s called urate I forgot) is normal. At first we fed her crickets but a good chunk of them died so we got mealworms instead.

 

[martyfrost]

did you take her out at all by any chance to handle her during that first week you had her

 

[Crokcrok]

did you take her out at all by any chance to handle her during that first week you had her

When we held her we let her come onto our hand herself, we didn’t force her to come on us, we would hold our hands out and if she didn’t want to come on our hand we left her alone because we knew she didn’t want to come out onto our hand

 

[martyfrost]

how long would you guys leave her out because your need to let her at least settle in for a cool week and like 2 days they can't a bit stressed out cause of that I would suggest just to keep her in and don't bother her for a day or two try to feed and keep spraying her cage she won't starve herself forsure and after those two days try to see how she is

 

[Crokcrok]

how long would you guys leave her out because your need to let her at least settle in for a cool week and like 2 days they can't a bit stressed out cause of that I would suggest just to keep her in and don't bother her for a day or two try to feed and keep spraying her cage she won't starve herself forsure and after those two days try to see how she is

The first day we had her we had to keep her out for a while because I had to set up her cage so my sister held her and let her climb around her arms and chest as I set it up but as soon as I finished the cage we set her in it

 

[Bmjo]

Please fill this out. But from what i can tell is your setup needs some work. You need more foliage and horizontal branches.she may be stressed from not being able to feel secure. But i could be wrong and ditch the compact uvb they aren’t good for their eyes and have been known to cause trouble. Get a long linear 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?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Crokcrok]

• Your Chameleon - Female veiled chameleon,I don’t know how old she is,she’s young that’s all I know
• Handling - I allow her to go on my hand when she’s feels like,if she’s doesnt want to I don’t force her to so I leave her alone
• Feeding - at first I fed her crickets but then a good chunk of them died in the pen so I bought her mealworms I feed her 3 times a day (breakfast lunch and dinner basically)
• Supplements - repticalcium without d3, I dust all of her mealworms but I’ve learned that you’re not supposed to do that so I’m working on a schedule
• Watering - I mist her cage with a spray bottle 3-4 times a day and I see her drinking 3 out of the 4 times
• Fecal Description - Her feces seem regular,not very squishy but not solid,kind of in between. Her “pee” is yellow-toned
• History - I got her from pet supplies plus

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - mesh on all sides (except bottom) I really don’t know the dimensions but it’s tall and larger for her current size
• Lighting - I don’t remember the lighting brand but it’s a uvb and a night Heat lamp
• Temperature - 75- 83 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity - I currently have no clue what the humidity is but I create and maintain the humidity by spraying the cage with a squirt bottle
• Plants - No live plants
• Placement - on a dresser in the middle of my bedroom, around 2-3 feet off of the ground
• Location - New York State, Buffalo

Current Problem - she’s not eating and her eyes are sunken in a little bit and she seems tired all the time

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[Bmjo]

• Your Chameleon - Female veiled chameleon,I don’t know how old she is,she’s young that’s all I know
• Handling - I allow her to go on my hand when she’s feels like,if she’s doesnt want to I don’t force her to so I leave her alone
• Feeding - at first I fed her crickets but then a good chunk of them died in the pen so I bought her mealworms I feed her 3 times a day (breakfast lunch and dinner basically)
• Supplements - repticalcium without d3, I dust all of her mealworms but I’ve learned that you’re not supposed to do that so I’m working on a schedule
• Watering - I mist her cage with a spray bottle 3-4 times a day and I see her drinking 3 out of the 4 times
• Fecal Description - Her feces seem regular,not very squishy but not solid,kind of in between. Her “pee” is yellow-toned
• History - I got her from pet supplies plus

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - mesh on all sides (except bottom) I really don’t know the dimensions but it’s tall and larger for her current size
• Lighting - I don’t remember the lighting brand but it’s a uvb and a night Heat lamp
• Temperature - 75- 83 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity - I currently have no clue what the humidity is but I create and maintain the humidity by spraying the cage with a squirt bottle
• Plants - No live plants
• Placement - on a dresser in the middle of my bedroom, around 2-3 feet off of the ground
• Location - New York State, Buffalo

Current Problem - she’s not eating and her eyes are sunken in a little bit and she seems tired all the time

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Calcium w/o D3 at almost every feeding calcium with D3 twice a month and a multivitamin twice a month. Don’t feed mealworms they have poor nutritional value and they are high in chitin (hard for them to digest) and no lights at night it makes it hard for them to sleep. If the temp drops below 68 degrees at night you can use a ceramic heat emitter which of course emits heat but with no light.the light at night could very well be the reason she is sleeping during the day

 

[Crokcrok]

thank you so much

 

[Bmjo]

thank you so much

No problem. Welcome to the forums

 

[Bmjo]

• Your Chameleon - Female veiled chameleon,I don’t know how old she is,she’s young that’s all I know
• Handling - I allow her to go on my hand when she’s feels like,if she’s doesnt want to I don’t force her to so I leave her alone
• Feeding - at first I fed her crickets but then a good chunk of them died in the pen so I bought her mealworms I feed her 3 times a day (breakfast lunch and dinner basically)
• Supplements - repticalcium without d3, I dust all of her mealworms but I’ve learned that you’re not supposed to do that so I’m working on a schedule
• Watering - I mist her cage with a spray bottle 3-4 times a day and I see her drinking 3 out of the 4 times
• Fecal Description - Her feces seem regular,not very squishy but not solid,kind of in between. Her “pee” is yellow-toned
• History - I got her from pet supplies plus

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - mesh on all sides (except bottom) I really don’t know the dimensions but it’s tall and larger for her current size
• Lighting - I don’t remember the lighting brand but it’s a uvb and a night Heat lamp
• Temperature - 75- 83 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity - I currently have no clue what the humidity is but I create and maintain the humidity by spraying the cage with a squirt bottle
• Plants - No live plants
• Placement - on a dresser in the middle of my bedroom, around 2-3 feet off of the ground
• Location - New York State, Buffalo

Current Problem - she’s not eating and her eyes are sunken in a little bit and she seems tired all the time

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And also i would increase the misting times. They need a lot to stimulate them to drink

 

[#Chams4life]

He looks very dehydrated and like he has MBD. Has he been tested for parasites? that can cause them not to eat or drink if they become full of them. Also looks like you may have a male, first picture you posted looks like there is a spur on the back of the back foot.

 

[rcc760]

I’m relatively new to Cham ownership as well, but I would suggest finding a good reptile vet near you and taking him in. The way he’s sitting with his mouth open could be a sign of a URI. When he breathes, does he make weird noises? Regardless of if he has a URI or not, a vet visit is still an excellent idea when you get a new Cham. Those pet stores really have no idea what they’re doing and more often than not, they’ll sell you a sick animal without knowing or caring.

Also, if the unrated are yellow, that means he’s dehydrated. You can try a couple super worms or horn worms to help with hydration. They’re pretty juicy and can provide a little help.

 

[rcc760]

He looks very dehydrated and like he has MBD. Has he been tested for parasites? that can cause them not to eat or drink if they become full of them. Also looks like you may have a male, first picture you posted looks like there is a spur on the back of the back foot.

Can I ask why you say he has MBD?

 

[#Chams4life]

Can I ask why you say he has MBD?

Either he has/had MBD or he broke his front leg and it healed without proper care. His right front leg is bent weirdly. He looks like he's holding himself up pretty good so he may have just broke it and it healed funny. Regardless his leg does not look right. @rcc760 is right and he probably should see a vet.
Silkworms are also a great feeder for chams.

 

[MSMorgan]

From the looks of the above pics, a vet visit maybe in your cards asap. I believe @jannb has a list of vets.

 

[jannb]

Here’s a list of NY vets that see Reptiles. Please take your chameleon to the vet.
http://thereptilereport.com/new-york-reptile-veterinary-directory/

 

[Scottsquatch]

The gaping smacks of A URI which is very common in store bought Chams. Also, as somebody else mentioned, she looks very dehydrated. I would suggest a mist king if you can. They really are the best way to keep your humidity up. A dripper would be helpful as well so he/she can drink whenever she wants to.
Good luck.