Scared I am going to loose my boy.

[Iain]

Hi all.

I am the proud owner/human of Ziggy a 11mth male Chameleon and I had him at the vet last week as he just didn't look right to me. I couldn't put my finger on it but I just knew something was wrong. Anyway! I took him and bloods were taken (just had the vet off the phone and he may/may not have kidney/liver problems) but nothing conclusive as yet. He's to go for an xray on Thursday morning to see if that shows anything.
I think I have done everything possible to set up the right environment for my boy - with a 6 by 4 by 4 (feet) mesh vivarium. Temp is 30-35 at the hot spot at the top under the lights and a cooler 28 degrees halfway down.

I really wish a expert would come and see if it's OK for my boy as I am so scared I am going to loose him. He eats locusts which are dusted and every 2nd week he gets an additional supplement plus vitamins. Fresh water is provided by a leave dripper and his lights are on a timer to replicate his natural environment. His vivarium is misted twice daily (really need to get a new hydrometer.

I am at my wits end as everyone including the vet reckons I have Ziggy's husbandry spot on. Normally he literally shakes the viv door to get out and he spends hours on my shoulder watching what I am doing and he loves to watch "Starship Troopers" - you would have to see that to believe it. I am still waiting on him to poop since last Wednesday (he has had some smaller ones but I accidentally contaminated them with a wipe before realising.

He's doing something now that I have never seen before and you can see in the attached picture - that's him at the back of his Viv just clamped on like Spider-Man.

I just don't know what else I can do for him.

 

[Bmjo]

Hi all.

I am the proud owner/human of Ziggy a 11mth male Chameleon and I had him at the vet last week as he just didn't look right to me. I couldn't put my finger on it but I just knew something was wrong. Anyway! I took him and bloods were taken (just had the vet off the phone and he may/may not have kidney/liver problems) but nothing conclusive as yet. He's to go for an xray on Thursday morning to see if that shows anything.
I think I have done everything possible to set up the right environment for my boy - with a 6 by 4 by 4 (feet) mesh vivarium. Temp is 30-35 at the hot spot at the top under the lights and a cooler 28 degrees halfway down.

I really wish a expert would come and see if it's OK for my boy as I am so scared I am going to loose him. He eats locusts which are dusted and every 2nd week he gets an additional supplement plus vitamins. Fresh water is provided by a leave dripper and his lights are on a timer to replicate his natural environment. His vivarium is misted twice daily (really need to get a new hydrometer.

I am at my wits end as everyone including the vet reckons I have Ziggy's husbandry spot on. Normally he literally shakes the viv door to get out and he spends hours on my shoulder watching what I am doing and he loves to watch "Starship Troopers" - you would have to see that to believe it. I am still waiting on him to poop since last Wednesday (he has had some smaller ones but I accidentally contaminated them with a wipe before realising.

He's doing something now that I have never seen before and you can see in the attached picture - that's him at the back of his Viv just clamped on like Spider-Man.

I just don't know what else I can do for him.View attachment 203528

Hopefully the vet will help you get him on the right track

 

[Iain]

I forgot to mention my boy's light heating is provided with a Exo Terra Dual Top Canopy 60cm with x2 12% UVB and x2 Exo Terra SunGlo Halogen Lamp 35W.

At the back of his vivarium there is a Exo Terra dual setup with x2 75watt solar basking spot lights these are controlled by a dimming thermostat and the entire setup is controlled by a timer going off at 10:30pm and coming back on at :45am.

His setup hasn't changed since I got him from his original owner back in November where he was thriving and it still has the original clingfilm on three sides which apparently helps the heat/humidity.

 

[Graves923]

Can you fill out the help form found here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

How are you hydrating him? Usually, kidney issues are caused by constant dehydration. There are other causes but lack of hydration is the most common we see.

 

[Scottsquatch]

I would seriously go with a mistking instead of the hand mistings. It is much better for keeping them properly hydrated. Good luck with the vet.

 

[Iain]

Thanks folks.

I will fill out that form asap as head is so far up backside right worrying about my boy.

He finally pooped and he'll be cross eyed for a month to be sure as that must have hurt!

I took the sample to the vet and we'll get the results tomorrow when he goes for his xray and checkup. The thing is the mad creature is going nuts and wants out all the time. All he wants to do is sit on my shoulder and watch the world go by. Such a dramatic change in his behaviour and character since he left that "pressie" this morning but I will still take him to the vet.

This was taken about 30mins ago and seconds after that he was doing his Barraca dance (classic chameleon based advert). His previous human had him so tame and he really does hate being cooped up and wants out all the time. Beginning to wish I got a cat now.

 

[Graves923]

In the mean time, increase misting to atleast 3 times per day and mist for around 2-3 minutes each time. This will help keep humidity around where it should be and gives him a chance to realize its time to hydrate.

 

[Iain]

In the mean time, increase misting to atleast 3 times per day and mist for around 2-3 minutes each time. This will help keep humidity around where it should be and gives him a chance to realize its time to hydrate.

That has worked a treat and the humidity is up to around 70% so will keep doing that 'til the misting system arrives.

I owe all of you a beer.

 

[Remkon]

He may just have felt bad because he was holding a big turd...
Maybe misting extra gives him more hydration which will help him pass stool more easily and also help him get rid of them shed more easily.

He looks pretty good to me on the last picture.
Good luck!

 

[Iain]

Remkon!

I think he lost at least half is body weight!

 

[laurie]

Glad things are looking up! You sound like a very excellent keeper! Lots of people would love a cham that friendly, just enjoy it!

 

[Iain]

Thanks again all of you.

His Royal Green Slinkyness shot out of his vivarium (he can really move when he wants to), this morning and slinked up my arm to his favourite perch on my left shoulder (always the left!!) whilst I misted down his home and that bottle can be heavy after 2-3 minutes but it's worth it. Got his vet appointment at 10:20am UK time today but I really am stunned at the change in him since he "gave birth" to Monster Poop yesterday.

I'll let you know how we get on when I get home about midday.

I have ordered up a misting system and some suitable live plants (Ficus Tree/Plant) and they should be with me by the weekend.

I better go and feed the green one before he wrecks that vivarium door trying to get back out. I really, really should have got a cat.

 

[Iain]

Just back from the vet and my boy was a star. He has got a clean bill of health with just the poop sample to be analysed but the vet couldn't see a thing wrong with him after an xray and check-up.
The hardest part was getting him back into the carry case I used to transport him.
The blood test came back clear with only a very slight drop in phosphorous but nothing to be concerned over.

Got him back in his vivarium - much to his disgust.