Odd Behavior from my Veiled Cham. - Please Help!

wow:( i'm really sorry to hear all this. i dont mean to be the devils advocate, but that is why you do all of your homework. i am looking at getting some Brevs. in two months and i already am taking a ton of notes.
 
JustinIgor said:
wow:( i'm really sorry to hear all this. i dont mean to be the devils advocate, but that is why you do all of your homework. i am looking at getting some Brevs. in two months and i already am taking a ton of notes.
Click to expand...

Well I suppose I just jumped the gun before I did my research. I've owned dozens upon dozens of reptiles and other small animals - from any type of snake that a pet shop would sell, to baby ducks/geese/owls, to turtles and salamanders, to even arctic foxes. I haven't gone a single month in my life without having at least 2 or 3 different types of animals residing either in or outside my house.

I guess with all of the other types of animals I've owned, it was easy for them to adapt to a new environment; that's why they lived most of their lives comfortably and healthy. But I've hit my challenge barrier with this one.
 
Last edited:
Just an update for those interested.

His health hasn't changed much since earlier today. I've force-fed him 7-8 dusted crickets since this morning. His coordination is a *little* better. By that, I mean that he's not grabbing onto his own legs without knowing it and he's grasping fingers/limbs more firmly. As for the laziness, it hasn't improved any. I pulled him from his cage and he balled up and closed his eyes as soon as I sat down with him.

I've tried my best to keep him close to his basking light and UVB light so that he can keep his body temperature close to normal and absorb as much UV light as he needs. That leads me to a question: would it be best to leave his lights on tonight, so that a lack of UV light might be omitted if anything were to happen overnight?
 
I would turn his lights off for the night and let him get some sleep.
Really, REALLY try to force your way into a vet appointment tomorrow.
This little guys situation is so unfair to him. I strongly believe that (although perhaps not entirely your fault) it's your responsibility to get him the care he needs.

-Brad
 
Not trying to be mean either, but we STRONGLY told you about the UVB on 12/16. He needs a shot of calcium and is suffering. Why would you "pull" him from his cage? Balling up? Closing his eyes? They shouldn't be overly handled period, but truly not at all when sick. You need to take him in, he is suffering.
 
Try stores that specialize in salt water tanks!. I got a 24 inch zoomed light bulb for 20$ and the petstores were selling them for 36.99. If u want a picture of what the box looks like i can take a quick picture just so you know when your going to get one, if u get one in town.
 
The proper UVB light was installed on 12/26 (two days ago).
What needs to happen now is a visit to the vet.

-Brad
 
yea reptisun 10.0 for 21.99! I guess its 2 dollars more than 20 but a lot better than 36.99. Sorry about the not reading everything part. Well, now he knows where to find them really cheap :)
 
I went to my local Pet Depot and saw that they had the Repti-Sun 5.0 bulbs (18") for $18, so I grabbed one. The bulb housings, however, were $39.99 - which is ridiculous. So I just went to Wal-Mart and picked out an 18" fluorescent lamp WITH a bulb for $7.99, then just replaced the fluorescent bulb with the Repti-Sun. (This was done on the 26th)

But please note that the bulb I had initially bought from Pet Depot (1 day after I received my chameleon) was thought to produce sufficient UV rays for this chameleon - I was told by one of the Asst. Managers there that it would "be great for a chameleon". That bulb was the R-Zilla Day White Light 60W bulb, so before I get blamed for not having the correct lighting, I was under the impression from a reptile/amphibian "keeper" that it would be fine. He just didn't know what he was talking about, appearantly.
 
Update:

Some of you (me included) probably thought that my cham. would be dead by now, or at least close to that because of his MBD condition. Well, I'm here to deliver some good news. His health has dramatically increased over the past couple of days. He has been sitting close to his UV light most of the time during the day and I have successfully force-fed him 9-10 small, heavily dusted crickets within these past 2 days so that he wouldn't starve himself to death.

Because of this care, his condition has positively increased so much that he can now pull himself up to the very top of his cage with ease, via branches and vines. His overall appearance has changed dramatically - he looks healthy. Not pathetic or pitiful, like 4 days ago. I'm just so relieved to have him *almost* back to his normal health conditions. Now, if only I can get him to be motivated enough to start eating on his own.
 
im glad to hear that too. i just read this epic tale today for the first time and im glad it gets "good" in the end. my question is are you still going to take him to the vet? im pretty sure everyone will still recommend it.
 
More good news!!

He now has a healthy appetite and has been eating like a pig since early this morning. I'm convinced he's back to his old self, now. :)
 
Congrats. I must say you are extremely lucky. The next thing you should do is find a good vet and make yourself an appointment. Familiarize them with your cham so that when there is another emergency maybe they will be a little more willing to "squeeze" you in.
 
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