New to chams and afraid I got sold a sick Cham

[Luvmycham430]

Hello all let me start by saying I have been reading the forums
The past 2 days an got a lot of usefull info but I am concerned
With my purchase.I bought a veiled Cham yeaterday and was
Told it was a male and he was 6 months old I have him in a screen
Cage that is 24x24x32 I have a 25 watt uvb 10 light and a heating
Lamp of 150 watts for basking I use a sprayer to spray him 3 times
Day and he has eaten about 4 maybe 5 crickets since yesterday I
Purchases guy load and 24 more crickets as well as repti calcium with d3
I am convergences because her shakes when he walks like he isn't sure of
Where his feet should go I am hoping if he does have mbd it isn't so bad
It will affect his well being his poop was black and solid with a little bit of white
Stuff mixed in as I said I am new to chams but I have kept snakes in the past
I know it's not the same but it can't be much different I am getting a thermostat and hygrometer when it comes in the mail please any advice you could give me
To help the little guy have a great life I would greatly appreciate it I feel bad if the little guy is unhealthy but hey that will make him that much more special to me any was ere is pics I hVe of him

 

[fluxlizard]

Can you take him back?
He's got MBD and looks like he's not in very good shape overall...

 

[ir0k]

well first off, you should check out our section in resouces and look at our caresheets for chameleons. you have a plethora of info there for all types of chams.

First, I don't know the age or sex of your cham, im not an expert in anyway.
You need to make sure the basking temperature is correct for him. im not 100% 25watt light bulb can achieve a good basking temp but I could be wrong.
Also, it seems a lot of folks on here go with 5.0 uvb bulbs. Do you have a coil uvb bulb or a tube? tube uvb bulbs are better as they cover more area in your cage.

I've read a lot about not dusting your crickets with d3 daily. They should be dusted with calcium without d3 and without phosphorus daily.

D3 and Multivitamin dusting 2x's a month. but there might be a better schedule for veild chams.

Also, chams need some time to get used to their new home. sometimes they wont eat a whole lot the first few days, its best to just leave them be for a few days, possibly a week before handling him. His poop sounds normal, it should be black with white in it. if that white turns orange or yellow it could mean dehydration.

Its also important to make sure you give him 12 hours lights on, 12 hours lights off.

Im sure some senior members will chime in and help out.
good luck with your new cham. you surely came to the right place for advice.



*thanks flux, I we posted around the same time, I didn't notice that.***

 

[jmwhitel]

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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.


Pictures are helpful

 

[symphonica]

See how his back leg looks bowed? That's a sign of MBD. I'd bring him back and let the pet store know. It requires special care to raise a cham that's already acquired MBD.

150W seems a bit much for a cage that size. 60-75w should do it. Your basking temp should be 85-87 and ambient down to 75. Make sure the cham can access the temperature gradient (lots of options for different temps).

Calcium WITH NO D3 or phosphorus should be given daily. D3 should be reserved for twice a month. Too much will cause health problems, and will mirror the symptoms of MBD.

A T5HO tube bulb for UVB is best, followed by T8 tube. Coiled bulbs come in last - they're not very efficient. For a cage yours' size, a 5.0 would have been plenty. Some may say that 10.0 is too powerful, and too much UVB can cause boils, burns, and blindness, although I've never personally experienced any problems.

He also looks ill, possibly due to dehydration. He has the signs of dehydration, which includes the sunken in eyes and casque. Make sure your humidity levels are on point. He'd benefit from long, warm mistings, and even a gentle, warm shower.

If you're going to keep him, he should be seen by a vet ASAP. It wouldn't surprise me if he has parasites and/or a respiratory infection.

If you're going to return him, try to see if you can get the pet store to improve the quality of their care to better suit his needs, and to have him seen by a vet. May require you to stand your ground and be adamant. Otherwise, he's likely facing a death sentence if he goes back to the care he has been in.

 

[symphonica]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/wha...ase-mbd-looks-like-how-happens-how-fix-95071/

 

[teejayteej]

So sorry that you got a sick baby, I agree with with everyone so far. you need to decide if you can afford to care for a sick animal and then the rest is going to fall into place.
if you keep your Cham then you can sex by the back feet post a picture of the backside of the back feet and we can tell you the sex. (looks like an extra toe) the males have a spur on the back of the foot.
If you are going to keep you little one or exchange him for a different one you need to print off the care sheet on here and use it like a how to guide to care for your little cham. After about 6 months or more of caring for you cham you will be able to tweek it a bit, but the sheet is just about right on for great care of you new pet.
again sorry that you got a sick baby.

 

[fluxlizard]

if you keep your Cham then you can sex by the back feet post a picture of the backside of the back feet and we can tell you the sex. (looks like an extra toe) the males have a spur on the back of the foot.

We don't the extra foot pick. It's obvious from his coloring and pattern that he is a male.

 

[Luvmycham430]

Thank you all for your help I have decided to keep Quervo and try to get him healthy I have started him in vitamins and calcium and misting and he seems to be doinguch better but now my question is how do I tell if he has parasites or a infection if he has one t all

 

[Carlton]

Thank you all for your help I have decided to keep Quervo and try to get him healthy I have started him in vitamins and calcium and misting and he seems to be doinguch better but now my question is how do I tell if he has parasites or a infection if he has one t all

Parasites are easy. Take a fresh fecal to a vet and ask them to check for parasites. Most any vet can do this, not just a herp expert.

Infections on the mouth or skin should be obvious. A pink or discolored lump that gets larger over time. An eye that is swollen compared to the other eye. A toe or foot that swells. An internal infection won't be obvious, but if your cham stops eating and drinking and isn't active or responsive take it to an experienced herp vet. Find a herp vet BEFORE you need one.