New chameleon owner. Pictures inside!

[Electus unus]

Hey, I'm new to the group and a first time chameleon owner. I've got a beautiful male veiled that I've had for about a month now. Me and my gf built his cage from scratch. 48"x18"x23", day and night zoomed uvb/a bulbs. He's got an umbrella plant as well as natural and synthetic vines and branches. I have a pump mister now, that he's no more of a fan of than the spray bottle. (I start with hot water so it comes out warm; he still hates it.) When I first got him he would eat from my hand, but now will only do it if I'm holding his food bowl. Ummm... I also made my own dripper instead of dishing out 13 for an overpriced reservoir with a .99 gate valve... That's about it. Temp and humidity stay on point. Here's some pics.

 

[Electus unus]

I'm thinking two maybe three months old? Also, is there any sort of specifics any of you could make out by his pattern? Region or anything like that. Thanks a ton

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums! I love veileds and keep veileds myself. Your little man looks to have MBD from the size of his casque and the curved arm. What supplements are you using and exactly what kind of UVB bulb? He doesn't need a light at night because it needs to be dark for him to sleep. I'm attaching my blog below that tells how I recommend keeping young veileds. I'll also attach some info about MBD for you.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-with-young-veiled-or-panther-chameleons.325/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...-like-how-it-happens-and-how-to-fix-it.95071/

 

[Electus unus]

is his veil to small? Again, he's only maybe 3 months old(I figure). It's a 100w blue daylight zoomed bulb. And a red zoomed night bulb. It's not bright at all. Just helps maintain heat. I can cut it from the schedule if several other people recommend this. But why would they sell night bulbs if not for use at night? I'm dusting calcium every-every other feeding, and a d3 supplement once a week. Hope this helps. I really don't want to be putting me little guy through stress with some rookie mistake

 

[Electus unus]

I actually read that blog prior to purchase. thanks

 

[jpowell86]

Welcome to the Forums! Good job on taking the time to build a nice large cage for your guy!! As far as his health is concerned, the veil is very underdeveloped. You can also see the MBD jannB was referring too in his arm very clearly in picture 4. You really need to dust the feeders with calcium at every feeding and use the D3 twice a month. You have a red bulb for heat...what are the temps in your enclosure both basking and ambient? Also, if your temps aren't dropping below 65 degrees at night in the house, a heat source at night is completely unnecessary. In fact, I have seen some keepers let their temps fall below this number with Veileds and claim no ill repercussions. Chameleons prefer a drop in temperature at night, so no worries!!

 

[MissMaisie]

is his veil to small? Again, he's only maybe 3 months old(I figure). It's a 100w blue daylight zoomed bulb. And a red zoomed night bulb. It's not bright at all. Just helps maintain heat. I can cut it from the schedule if several other people recommend this. But why would they sell night bulbs if not for use at night? I'm dusting calcium every-every other feeding, and a d3 supplement once a week. Hope this helps. I really don't want to be putting me little guy through stress with some rookie mistake

You gotta remember where the veiled chameleon originates from. In Yemen the temperatures will be very hot in the day and quite cold in the night, it's not natural for them to have 30 degrees Celsius at night time. Other reptiles can need night lamps, but not a veiled chameleon.

 

[Kboz1991]

Do you have a 5.0 uvb lamp I thought those bulbs where only heat

 

[MelissaB]

You don't need the red heat light at night. Light at night interrupts their sleep, and cooler temps at night are actually good for them. As long as it doesn't go below 50 degrees at night, he doesn't need it. If it gets that cold, a ceramic heat emitter is what you'd want, it doesn't throw any light. I don't see any mention of a UVB bulb in your set up. He definitely needs that. A daylight bulb doesn't provide any UVB.

 

[Kboz1991]

Yeah I didn't think I saw one in the pictures i would go to petstore asap and get a tube light fixture with a reptisun 5.0 lamp and put that on your cage if you don't have one I use the t5 myself. That would be why his legs are starting to bow a bit and is under developed.

 

[Electus unus]

I appreciate everybody's input. Just had a long convo on another forum. I was mislead when purchasing the lights and its infact only uva... I feel horrible for my little buddy...... I have plans to get a repti sun t5 uvb tomorrow morning. What are some of your experiences rehabilitating a Cham with signs of mbd?

 

[Electus unus]

I hadn't noticed the underdevelopment and bowed legs, well... Just because I'm still new at this. I truly thought I had everything setup properly. I really hate my local Petco employees.

 

[Kboz1991]

I'm still new to this also and don't know much about mbd but the light would stop it from getting worse. I know they have t5 and t8 lighting I use t5 I have the zoo med one that comes with a 5.0 light at 8 inches not through screen it gives off sufficient uvb. maybe getting phoenix worms would help they are high in calcium but some other members will help you with the mbd stuff he should be okay if you get the light tomorrow.

 

[DaChameleonKing]

Congrats on your new cham!

 

[Tommy Bonnet]

He needs calcium! Mbd happens when the body is being deprived of calcium so the body takes it from the bones! Read the link about mbd jannb posted it is really helpful also go to the medical forums and search mbd there are a lot of story or success and a lot of help along with the Uvb get calcium without d3 that is phosphorus free tomorrow feed with every feeding, get calcium with d3 and give twice a month and get a multivitamin and give twice a month! Might even consider taking him to a vet and getting him checked and getting calcium drops but I am still new to this. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in soon.

 

[Electus unus]

Calcium is definitely not his issue. Now maybe the way he processes it with the current lighting, that could be. But, he's definitely not missing it from his diet. I dust pretty much every feeding, and am moving from d3 4 times a month to just two. When I say pretty much, I mean maybe one day out of the week might have to rush out early am and don't get back til way later. So I at least take the liberty of feeding him if that's the case. But it's rare.

 

[Electus unus]

Also, I stated his calcium regime about 3 or 4 comments into this.

 

[Tommy Bonnet]

Also, I stated his calcium regime about 3 or 4 comments into this.

Sorry for trying to help.

 

[jannb]

Also, I stated his calcium regime about 3 or 4 comments into this.

The vet will most likely give liquid calcium for MBD and an injection to bring the calcium back into the bones faster.

 

[Orcawhale]

Thats rather strange, he's the same size as mine, but he seems to have way more adult characteristics. I thought he was an adult, until I saw him on the finger. Every Cham is different .