please help !any advice appreciated

[leeann0225]

Hi I have a 1.5 year old veiled chameleon who is SEVERLY lethargic as in won’t move and can’t even open his eyes he’s been like this for almost a week straight and yes i know first reaction is vet appointment and he has one this friday and the only reason it’s taken so long is i just completely do not have the money so im borrowing it from my boyfriend in order to get her seen. im mostly on here for advice and just a community to help me improve and know more about how to care for my chameleon the way he deserves but also im wondering if there is anything i can buy or do in order to help him open his eyes because its preventing him from eating at all and that’s terrifying me so any replies would be greatly appreciated i know this is a long read. he was from petco and sold to me as a female (he is in fact not a female) and i have no excuse for getting a chameleon from petco in the first place let alone purchasing those death kits they sell but i was a child and made a poor decision that multiple adults around me was saying was perfectly fine and im now aware of how horrible that is. after about a month of plastic plants and horrible lighting for my poor little guy i had done more research that should’ve been done months before i ever got my him but i purchased the right uvb and heat lamps as well as more branches and plants to put around. over the last year ive just slowly tried to make my overall care for him better at every opportunity. for his diet i feed him gut loaded and calcium dusted insects like dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms etc. and he’s always had a good appetite until now that he’s sick he can’t even see in order to eat it breaks my heart, and for drinking he has a dropper that i keep going a for couple hours a few times a day as well as i mist her cage manually with a spray bottle 3-4 times daily and she still is seeming to drink but not eating at all i’m on here because im terrified my chameleon is going to die due to my lack of knowledge and financial ability to care for him and i am looking for anyway i can improve or advice to help him recover. i’m honestly very nervous to post this because of the guilt i feel as i can’t help but feel this is all my fault but anyway that’s whats going on please feel free to ask any questions or please leave any advice you have for me it would be so appreciated.

 

[Gloriawood]

First things first, take a deep breath. Many of us here started the exact same way and have petco chams. What is important is that you are recognizing your mistakes and trying to rectify it. Nobody here is going to judge you, I promise. We are here to help. I’m going to attach a husbandry form. Copy, paste and fill out as much as you can. Photos of your guy and enclosure as well as supplements will also be helpful.


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.