Please Help!

[VeiledLove]

My Veiled Chameleon's eye has something wrong with it! The right eye is closed and looks like it is pinched closed; I can tell that he can't see out of that eye because he doesn't react to me moving my hand near that side of his head. I've tried gently misting him, and while he drinks it doesn't seem to affect his eye. I've had him (I'm assuming it's a him, when I got him he was too young to tell) since April/May and this is the first problem I've had with him. He is currently shedding if it makes any difference. I'm getting a bit worried about the other eye too because it wasn't opening about 25 minutes ago, although I may just be paranoid- I did wake him up from sleeping. I've read threads where people recommended a saline solution wash, is it worth a try? I'm planning on calling a vet tomorrow, but I know herp vets are crazy expensive and I don't have much money. Any help is greatly appreciated, I'll try and post pictures...

 

[chameleoman]

where do you live? try getting a small bottle of water and gently squirting it in the eye and rub it out if it goes in

 

[VeiledLove]

I live just outside of Philadelphia. I keep his cage around 80 degrees, I can't remember the exact type of bulb I use but it's one of the white swirly ones (I was told that it was the correct type that he needed) and I always make sure his cage has a high humidity level. I even cover his cage with a towel at night to make sure it retains it's heat.

 

[chameleoman]

its best to use a uvb repti sun 5.0 and a regular house flood 60 w

 

[VeiledLove]

Is that why his eye looks like that? Should I use saline solution? How would I know if it's caused by mites, and what do i do if it is?

 

[KatiLemons]

I agree, You should be using a repti sun 5.0 and a regular bulb for basking. It very well could be the shedding but it might be the bulb. I wouldnt take a chance with the bulb especially if you don't know what your currently using.

 

[chameleoman]

fill this out


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

 

[VeiledLove]

The bulb I'm using is by zoomed. I just can't remember what the exact type it is because I bought it months ago, and do not still have the packaging. I have been using this bulb since Spring, would it really take this long to affect him?

 

[chameleoman]

fill the thing out

 

[Elizadolots]

I think you should provide the information in the "how to ask for help" thread.

Just copy, paste and add your information.

Does your chameleon have "tarsal spurs" on his back feet? That would look like a little extended heel that sticks out in back.

I would agree with the idea of using saline solution to wash it out. Ask the pharmacist which has the fewest additives because that is what you want to use.

 

[VeiledLove]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veilied, roughly 6-8 months, sex unknown. In my care since May
Handling - I typically handle him a couple times a week, although less lately since classes have started back up.
Feeding - I feed him 2-3 small meal worms every other day.
Watering - I mist my cham myself thoroughly 3-4 times a day. I see him drink.
Fecal Description - Never tested for parasites, His poop seems normal, brown and white.
History - He's never had any health issues before, always active, and has never given me a problem with eating or drinking

Cage Info:
Cage Type - The cage has all glass sides and a metal mesh roof. 18" x 18" x 24"
Lighting - Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 Compact Fluorescent
Temperature - 75-85
Humidity - 60-100
Plants - Are you using live plants? No
Placement - The cage is in my room, and the top is about 3.5 feet off of the ground. The is an airvent on the floor by the stand my cage is on.
Location - Philly Suburbs

Current Problem - See above.

 

[VeiledLove]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my post, I really appreciate it!

 

[chameleoman]

WOW dude u really need to feed that cham no offense but i feel bad for him at that age you need to be feeding like 20-30 crickets a day not 3-4 worms every other day and get the right lights you need a dripping system try getting the little dripper works great for me you didnt mention dusting you need rep cal with d3, without d3 and multivitamins
you didnt say anything about gutloading
why did you skip supplements?
Idk why you skipped both not trying to sound like a jerk but you need to awnser these questions if you want us to help you

remember the more we know the better we can help you

 

[VeiledLove]

That's my estimate of his age. I didn't get him from a breeder, I got him from a pet store and the person who sold him to me was unable to give me an age. Other than his recent eye problems he's always seemed very healthy, he didn't appear to be skinny or under weight, but since you think I should be feeding him differently I will. I'm trying to give you as much information as possible, what I said is exactly what I feed him. I'm taking care of him the way I was instructed when I first got him (which clearly wasn't completely right) and there hasn't been anything wrong with him until now. I really appreciate your help, but please do not insinuate that I don't care about him. I'll start feeding him differently, and I'm pretty sure the light you mentioned is the same as the one I have. Also, I keep referring to him as a he, but I haven't been able to see any sign of tarsal spurs

 

[KatiLemons]

The bulb I'm using is by zoomed. I just can't remember what the exact type it is because I bought it months ago, and do not still have the packaging. I have been using this bulb since Spring, would it really take this long to affect him?

Yes, you should fill out that form.

Also if you bought your bulb in the spring, you are aware that you have to change your bulbs every 6 months anyways. They lose the effectivness of the UVB absorption.

 

[VeiledLove]

I actually was unaware that they lost the UVB absorption after 6 months. I will buy a new one ASAP and make sure it's the exact one recommended. Thank you!

 

[chameleoman]

get a 60w house flood light at home depot or any hardware store and get a dripper, i wouldnt recomend the glass cage at all


AND how come u refused to awnser the supplemt question and the gutloading???? again not trying to sound like a jerk

 

[Elizadolots]

That type of enclosure (glass all around, mesh on top) can work but it's more challenging.

The "easy" answer is to get an all screen cage (you might end up covering some sides of it).

In the meantime, you should have the lights well off to one side, no where close to "center". You want to create a situation in which the bulbs pulls air up from the enclosure, which then pulls air down from the "cool" side of the enclosure.

You are definitely under feeding.

Look at his back feet. If there are "spurs" sticking out (they look like fleshy "heels") then it's a male.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, if you are not sure of the sex then a couple of good pics of the back heels will remove all doubt - Here is an excellent caresheet with all the basic info you need to keep a Veiled Cham healthy - try not to listen to any pet stores. It's a sweeping generalisation, but its best to assume they know nothing about Chameleons (they are special even for reptiles ) - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html If you do try to wash out the eye, then do it very carefully, but also try to do it quite quickly and efficiently if you can........

 

[stegien]

Hello All,
not sure if anybody has noticed what about his mouth? (is this mouth rot? or MBD), over all poor chameleon - looks sick and washed out, sorry to say that humidity to HIGH for Yemen should be around 50 %,occasionally max 70% evening. Good luck !