Runt??

[Gbetts1986]

Has anyone ever had a runt chameleon? I'm a little concerned with my female. I've had her since May and when I got her she was tiny. She eats 5-6 crickets a day right now and a few silkworms but hasn't really had a decent growth spurt.

 

[Theveiled]

Have you ever gotten her tested for parasites?

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. Do you have any pictures of your chameleon? If they have parasites especially cociddia they want grow and will eventually die if not treated. You can see my two runt boys Amos and Andy here. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/photos-of-my-beautiful-veileds.151897/

 

[jpowell86]

Four of my current chameleons are runts. I have a soft spot for them. In my experience they grow much much slower than the norm. As long as she is eating and staying hydrated, she is more than likely healthy. Unless there is some underlying reason. I would definitely have a fecal done.

Ranticus is one of my veiled runts. The other picture is Runty...the quad!!

 

[Gbetts1986]

Yes here is a pic of her..

 

[jannb]

She looks really skinny. I would recommend a vet check up along with a fecal.

 

[Gbetts1986]

I got her tested for parasites last week because I thought she may have them but it came up negative. She is growing, just considerably slower then my other veiled. I think she was dehydrated some because I thought misting was good enough. I installed a dripper 2 days ago and I've seen her drinking quiet a bit, she has also been eating better. Jpowell86, she looked a lot like runty when I got her lol.

 

[Gbetts1986]

I'll get another fecal done..does it have to be like fresh fresh? How long can I store it before I bring it to the vet ?

 

[jpowell86]

I have to agree, she looks very skinny. When you got her, was she in rough shape? She looks very skinny.

When you got her tested for parasites, did you take in a fecal sample?

 

[Theveiled]

It can go 24 hours if you put it in the fridge

 

[Theveiled]

But the fresher the better

 

[jpowell86]

You don't want to use an old fecal. You need to collect it when it is fresh. If you have to wait a day, you can put it in the fridge. But, I would suggest getting one and dropping it off at the vet as soon as you collect it.

 

[Gbetts1986]

Yes I took in a fecal sample, I was pretty concerned so I took a poo that was off of a leaf in her cage. It maybe have been there for a half day

 

[Gbetts1986]

I wouldn't say she was in rough shape, but was definitely a little skinny. She was the smallest one they had

 

[Gbetts1986]

Would a small Tupperware be sufficient to put the sample in when i take it to the vet ?

 

[jpowell86]

Before I started doing my own at home, I would just use a Ziploc bag.

 

[Gbetts1986]

How long can they last with parasites? Is this pretty imminent? I just cleaned up a fresh poop yesterday too darnit.

 

[Gbetts1986]

She also looks like her eyes are Just slightly open at night, like just barely

 

[Peachypink]

She also looks like her eyes are Just slightly open at night, like just barely

You don't have a light on her at night do you?

 

[Gbetts1986]

No I don't , I have a lamp that I keep dimmed until i go to bed. No light in her cage tho