Sailfin Chameleon

[Trace]

Looks like someone is heading into a shed! That's good.

I think she looks okay. Maybe a little on the skinny side but nothing scary so and these guys aren't beefy chameleons by any stretch. Getting her into a proper environment with healthy bugs and water will certainly help matters. At some point I would consider taking her to a vet for a check-up and fecal to rule out any internal parasites.

I've never used the 10.0UV bulbs so I can't comment on those. I used a single 5.0 plus a regular plant light in my flourescent hoods.

 

[redline]

Thanks Trace

 

[sandrachameleon]

go with what Traces says way before anything I mght say or read about these!

 

[Txherp]

She seem to like the bottom humid part of the cage. Not the top or try to get any UV or Heat.
Is 10 UV fine or double up on 5.0?

AdCham says: "While this species rarely can be seen "basking", they enjoy high UV exposure, so double UV lights can be used.

I think 10.0 UVB is too strong, I would go with the 5.0

 

[Jeremiah]

This article has some good information about the Sailfin http://www.chameleonnews.com/07FebPedersen.html

 

[redline]

On the 3rd day.. She seems to have her right eyes shut or close. I did try to inspect and she started to open it but is like something is not right.... Vet visit is pending still... $75 for a consultation and $30-40 for a fecal. Any other good vet in Miami?

Did read on UV problems since I'm using a 10 UV I left ir off today with just basking spot since she likes the wet are anyway.. Any advice for now?

 

[redline]

Milly eating..
Dropbox
http://db.tt/TyhCdy88

Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o1iSiyReI4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[redline]

I clean her eye with saline solution and it seems to help. Hopefully she gets better. But is only eating one kricket a day so far only when I feed her. I order an Arcadia light setup for UV... Hope that helps. Are coil or bulb type bad compare to the linear... ? The dumb a*** at the pet shop sold me that and I was so dumb after reading so much to buy that... Really hope that did not contribute to her eye getting bad.

 

[AbooLovesYOU]

I would steer away from coil bulbs as they have been known to cause blindness in chams. The eye problem could be a variety of things, my cham had the exact same problem, which was caused by a Vitamin A deficiency. A vit A shot, with a little rub in the eye opened it right up, and haven't had the problem since.

Are you gutloading the crickets? This was my problem!

 

[torquasprings]

I would steer away from coil bulbs as they have been known to cause blindness in chams. The eye problem could be a variety of things, my cham had the exact same problem, which was caused by a Vitamin A deficiency. A vit A shot, with a little rub in the eye opened it right up, and haven't had the problem since.

Are you gutloading the crickets? This was my problem!

Yikes! Please be careful with the idea of administering vitamin A shots to your new cristatus. Montane species should be fed gut-loaded crickets or roaches that have been fed carrots, slightly cooked yams, or slightly cooked pumpkin in addition to their regular gutload for beta carotene (a better and safer form of Vitamin A). These have plenty of usable beta carotene which their body will then turn to vitamin A as it needs it.
As for your new pet... congratulations!!! It's such a beautiful specimen!!! I'm hoping you got lucky and have the best of luck with it!

 

[redline]

Thanks.... Waiting on bug burger and veggies for now but she seems to eat only 1 kricket, I do not have much option there. I started the carrot gutload let see if she gets better.

 

[DanSB]

If it was me I would go straight to a vet with the eye issue. Chams can go from happy to dead way faster than any animal I've ever seen and quick early treatment is key. I wouldn't have even believed how fast until I saw it first hand multiple times. I know people say that a lot but it really can't be stressed enough in my opinion.

It is a beautiful Chameleon you have there! I love that species.

 

[redline]

Hey guys... She getting better with the eyes. I was taking her a shower... She likes those and she eated 3 krickets but after a few minus this came out. I never seen chameleon poop... First it was clear and liquid like a plug and then this looking egg.? Look and feel like an empty soft egg? Is this normal

 

[coldbloodedAL]

She is looking better!

A few things I would like to say though.. I see you have her in the kitchen, and the poop fell onto the floor and what appears to be the counter top...

First, I would recommend cleaning that area with bleach and water asap...

Second, runny feces like that is a good indicator of parasites,( Reason for this^^^ Dont think we are immune to any things our reptiles may have ) Once she is nicely hydrated and puts on some weight, get a fecal sample to the vet.

I know others have pointed this out, but it is important to get her treated for any parasites she may have soon. When taking the fecal sample in, try to get one as "fresh" as possible. The longer a stool sits, the chance something may not show up in a fecal increases.

 

[redline]

She is looking better!

A few things I would like to say though.. I see you have her in the kitchen, and the poop fell onto the floor and what appears to be the counter top...

First, I would recommend cleaning that area with bleach and water asap...

Second, runny feces like that is a good indicator of parasites,( Reason for this^^^ Dont think we are immune to any things our reptiles may have ) Once she is nicely hydrated and puts on some weight, get a fecal sample to the vet.

I know others have pointed this out, but it is important to get her treated for any parasites she may have soon. When taking the fecal sample in, try to get one as "fresh" as possible. The longer a stool sits, the chance something may not show up in a fecal increases.

So this ball looking feces is normal? I got scare... Is big for her size

 

[coldbloodedAL]

So this ball looking feces is normal? I got scare... Is big for her size

yes............

 

[Trace]

Yeah that’s a pretty normal looking cristatus poo. The white part is the urate (urine, pee) and it is solid like a bird poop. It can look gel like and wet particularly if they’ve been getting a lot of water. You want the urate to be white or as close to it; yellow and orange coloured urates indicate dehydration so keep up with the showers. The brown part is the feces part.

In regards to her eye some lengthy showers may help with that. If she is only closing one she may just have something inside the eyelid and some water may help her dislodge it. If you notice their eyes bulging and moving awkwardly in the socket, it is a normal action and is just the chameleon removing dirt and debris from under the eyelid.

 

[redline]

Thanks Trace... A lot of good info, she was having a blast with the shower and then the poop.. I was "she having a baby," Hahaha wait she is not a Jackson. Maybe a bad egg. Haha. Nothing like a good forum support. Got her on Saturday and this is the first I see the poop. Also she looks like she starting to get white or the shedding of skin.. A lot of spot are showing now

 

[Trace]

As I mentioned they are not big eaters so it stands to reason they won’t poop as much either. If she is heading into a shed she won’t eat as much too but I am a little concerned that she is only eating a bug or two a day. I don’t really have a set schedule for feeding but mine ate 6 bugs every other day or so. I can’t stress enough how shy this particular species is so apart from showering and feeding and picking up any errant poops I would keep handling to a minimum until she settles in. A short time ago she was happily (as much as the cristatus can be happy) sitting on a bush in Cameroon and out of the blue she has thrust into a bag and shipped overseas. She needs to get used to captivity so for the next little bit I’d make her a watch but don’t hold type of pet. I know she is a family pet but it’s for her own benefit.

I may not be the fastest at replying to threads but I am following her progress so keep me posted on things. Remember there are no stupid questions or observations.

 

[redline]

HAHA, yeah kids die to touch her, but is very minimum, also she won't eat from the plastic bind. Not sure if the eye is keeping her back. Everyday around 7am she waits on the same spot for me to give a her a bug but just one. Later on like today would eat 1 or 2.