Need help PLEASE

[trikehancock]

I have a approximate 5 month old Jackson. He keeps laying in his water dish that the vet recommended for him to see the water move when his mister drips or his fogger drip into. He has excellent vision and doesn't appear to have any issues eating his crickets. He is not shedding to my knowledge. I've tried finding why he would be doing this and have found nothing. I would greatly appreciate any explanation or advice.

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

Ok so please fill this out a post more pictures of the cham and the enclosure, I think I'm seeing mbd.

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.

 

[kinyonga]

Please take the water dish out....they're hard to keep clean and can be a source of bacteria.

Can you please post a few photos of him from today so I can see all of him from the side?

 

[trikehancock]

Male Jackson chameleon approximate 5 months old. Purchased from pet store after my panther passed. I've had him 2 weeks.he has stared laying in the water dish. We have a automatic misting system that runs 30 seconds every hour and a fogging system which is ran 2 to 3 times a day. Temperature is 86 to 88 at the basking spot and 40 to 60 percent humidity. He eats 12 to 18 small crickets that are gut loaded with mazuri better bug and use calcium and reptivites on the crickets. No live plants. Heat lamp is 100 watt and has uvb also. He's in a palidarium that is 18 w x 18 d x 36 tall. If there is anything more anyone needs to help me figure this out just ask. Thank y'all.

 

[trikehancock]

This is him right now

 

[kinyonga]

@JacksJill @Kaizen
Who else keeps Jackson's?

 

[Mrjamwin]

Me, but I'm not an expert.

 

[kinyonga]

Me, but I'm not an expert.

You will be soon I'm sure!

 

[trikehancock]

He is my first Jackson. I had skittles my panther until she passed away at 3. Never encountered this before.

 

[kinyonga]

I'm wondering if he's too hot?

 

[trikehancock]

Temp is 86 to 88. I've read that was possibly low. Like I said I am lost and have no idea. Last time I spoke with the exotic vet he gave me those temp levels. I'm just scared because it broke my heart when skittles died and I am scared to lose him. The exotic vet is the one who told me about the water dish but it has to be cleaned daily.

 

[CasqueAbove]

Temp is 86 to 88. I've read that was possibly low. Like I said I am lost and have no idea. Last time I spoke with the exotic vet he gave me those temp levels. I'm just scared because it broke my heart when skittles died and I am scared to lose him. The exotic vet is the one who told me about the water dish but it has to be cleaned daily.

That is way hot. They are montain species and should be more like mid 70s to 81/82f basking and not available all day. Only fog at night when temps are below 65. That is another thing he is going to need temp drops to low 60s at night with high humidity, day can dry out more, 50-70% from what I understand.
He is probably laying there because he is baking.
What happened to your panther? 3 is pretty young.

 

[trikehancock]

Heart attack best we or the vet says.

 

[trikehancock]

Skittles

 

[trikehancock]

We are using a 100 watt blue bulb. What should we adjust to? We run the same bulb day and night, we cut off the uvb at night. So only fog at night? How long?

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

You need a way bigger enclosure. 4ftx2ftx2ft is minimal for adults. It need many different sized branches and no moss. Live plants, examples: umbrella plant, mass cane, pothos, spider plant.
I reccomend screen or a hybrid enclosure as glass can be hard to properly maintain humidity without causing a respiratory infection.

 

[CasqueAbove]

I am not an expert and I don't keep Jacksons. Some one with more experience will have to give more. I would go to a 65w bulb to start. Ok so I don't want to be mean, but you vet has no idea what he is doing. From the looks of your set up I can see issues. These guys are far more sensitive than a panther. He wont make it without some adjustments. So fill out the form and we will get you headed right. Find a new vet. The water bowl is just wrong, an I will bet it was not a heart attack, how did he determine that.
There are great keepers here but for now https://chameleonacademy.com/ is a great source. HE keeps many Jackson and montain species.

 

[CasqueAbove]

OK Fogging only at night 12am to 5 am is common. Misting is usually to long sessions one before heat comes on, and one after it goes off in the evening. Oh heat, only about one hour in the morning and one hour at night with short misting's in the day if needed to keep up humidity.. Stay below 82 in the basking spot. They are more sensitive to supplements so be careful there as well. I don't know the dosage, but I know it is less than a panther.

 

[kinyonga]

We are using a 100 watt blue bulb. What should we adjust to? We run the same bulb day and night, we cut off the uvb at night. So only fog at night? How long?

Why do you have lights on at night? Coloured lights are not recommended anytime.

 

[trikehancock]

Our fear is dehydration. What should I fix to ensure that he is well taken care of. My husband literally gets up every few hours to check on him. If y'all say he won't dehydrate without the water dish it'll be gone. We put a 50 watt we had for night that we had leftover from a beardie set up. Temp is now 80 and 70 percent humidity. And he's still in the water dish. We move him and he goes right back. I'm going to check out that link. Thank you all so much for your time. But please any enclosure advice or anything we can do is much appreciated.