New young female Jackson Cham shutting eyes, not eating

[Alextravis]

I purchased a 3 to 5 month old female Jackson at a reptile show about 4 days ago. Her temps are good (basking between 82 and 85), set up is about the same as my adult Jackson male except I am trying an umbrella plant this time. My male is doing great. Right after buying her I was noticing she was shutting her eyes during the day and figured she was just stressed until I read that it might be a health problem. She is drinking regularly but is not eating. I have been providing proper sized crickets (about the length between her eyes) and a cup of mealworms all dusted with calcium with d3). I am not sure if she has eaten any of the crickets. Definitely not the meal worms. She has many spots to hide and climb around but is just staying fairly close to the heat lamp, not directly under or at the top basking spot. She has many horizontal perching spots and diagonal stuff going thru and over the plant. There is also some fake leafs and vines to provide more security. I wanted to get a younger one to make sure she has never been bred before since I plan to breed her with my adult male Jackson when she is big enough. She is I'm another room kept away from my other reptiles. I am worried about her. I have also been leaving her alone, misting a few times a day and let a drip cup go here and there and she drinks. I don't really have access to any other feeders right now except for meal worms and crickets. I know I can get wax worms and super worms easily. All else must be ordered. WHAT CAN I DO? Will she be ok? Please help.

 

[Bravo8bucket]

I think I've heard somewhere that if the eyes close that it is possible it has mbd if she has a hard time walking or legs look odd suck as bent like circle instead of 90 degrees you might want to get that checked out by a vet

 

[Justdents666]

I got a baby panther chameleon 2 weeks ago, and he did exactly the same thing. After a week he started eating loads and never stops moving about now. I think they need time to settle into their new surroundings that's all, hope that helps .

 

[Alextravis]

Ok well I hope it's the same deal as your panther then. If she has mbd I'm going to be crushed...it's not all the time it's just every ones and a while when I check on her. Sometimes it's just one eye. I'm hoping to breed her eventually. Thx

 

[carol5208]

That is not "normal" settling in behavior to close their eyes, so do not assume that. I am not sure what was going on with the other members panther, but he is lucky he rebounded. If he does come around, do not use the calcium with the d3 at every feeding if that is what you intend to do. Check the care sheets on the home page link "Chameleon Care Start Here" and see what the supplement guidelines are for Jackson's. Parasites are always a possibility which can cause lack of eating and lethargy. Hopefully that is not the case. Sometimes incorrect lighting will cause eye closing and also dehydration. If you are sure all your ducks in are in a row and confident with your set up, then there is probably some other healthy issue going on.

 

[Alextravis]

Ok thank you I will check everything out. Today I only caught her with her eyes closed once, every other time throughout the day she has been alert but still has not eaten. Have not found any feces to get tested. Just checked on her and just her right eye was closed. Ugh I don't know what to do.