Please help, I don't know what's wrong

[Gecky]

My chameleon's behavior was very strange and scary this morning. I feed him every other day, and today was a feeding day. When I brought the food to him, he didn't move. His cage was warm, I sprayed it down like I do every morning, so he had water.

His normal behaviour is to run to the food bowl and even climb on me. He climbs on me almost every day. He's been very social. But when I brought him the bugs today, he puffed up and didn't move from his branch. I tried to entice him, and he didn't budge. Mouth closed, and very angry. We tried a few ways to entice him to the bugs, even leaving them in the cage and backing off.

This is the part that scared me. He approached, and slowly opened his mouth like he was wearing his tongue, then looked like he was choking. He went dark brown, fully puffed, started gaping and twitching, and fell off his branch, holding on by only his back claws. I thought he might be having a heart attack. He recovered, but stayed angry brown and wouldn't come near me.

We had a massive thunderstorm in the area last night. Lots of high winds, loud thunder, hail, and lightning. Maybe the storm just made him too stressed? I'm really concerned. I know Chams die of stress pretty easily. Please, does anyone know what's going on or what I should do?

 

[jamest0o0]

There’s a help form to fill out that would be needed for anyone to assess what’s going on. I don’t mean this rudely at all, but I don’t think a storm or a heart attack would be the culprit. A chameleon should also pretty much never fall.

Do you have pictures?

 

[Ghostbirb]

My chameleon's behavior was very strange and scary this morning. I feed him every other day, and today was a feeding day. When I brought the food to him, he didn't move. His cage was warm, I sprayed it down like I do every morning, so he had water.

His normal behaviour is to run to the food bowl and even climb on me. He climbs on me almost every day. He's been very social. But when I brought him the bugs today, he puffed up and didn't move from his branch. I tried to entice him, and he didn't budge. Mouth closed, and very angry. We tried a few ways to entice him to the bugs, even leaving them in the cage and backing off.

This is the part that scared me. He approached, and slowly opened his mouth like he was wearing his tongue, then looked like he was choking. He went dark brown, fully puffed, started gaping and twitching, and fell off his branch, holding on by only his back claws. I thought he might be having a heart attack. He recovered, but stayed angry brown and wouldn't come near me.

We had a massive thunderstorm in the area last night. Lots of high winds, loud thunder, hail, and lightning. Maybe the storm just made him too stressed? I'm really concerned. I know Chams die of stress pretty easily. Please, does anyone know what's going on or what I should do?

Hello! I’m sorry this is happening to your boy! do you know if you have a chameleon vet near your area, if not we have a great vet list! Could you share some photos of your boy and his enclosure? And finally would you be able to fill out this question form that I’m going to paste below. All of this should help us get a base idea on what may be the issue!

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 do 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 -

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!

You said…”This is the part that scared me. He approached, and slowly opened his mouth like he was wearing his tongue, then looked like he was choking. He went dark brown, fully puffed, started gaping and twitching, and fell off his branch, holding on by only his back claws. I thought he might be having a heart attack. He recovered, but stayed angry brown and wouldn't come near me.”…what do you mean “wearing his tongue”?