Sick Chameleon

[Roamer]

Hi my panther was at the bottom of his tank, he seems very weak and eyes are sunken, been feeding him crickets as no hoppers available, any help greatly appreciated as it looks like he may be dead by the morning

 

[MissSkittles]

Oh no! I’m so sorry. Right now, he needs a good vet immediately if he’s to have any chance at all. From the look of him, his odds may be slim. I’ve looked back at your past posts but don’t see any info that would be of any real help at current. When you are able, if you could provide a pic of his current enclosure. I’ll attach the help questions, but the main ones which are essential are has he ever been tested for parasites? What type and strength uvb does he have? Temps and humidity during the day and at night? What different supplements have you been using and what is the schedule for each? What has he been eating with type, amount and frequency and how old is he?

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.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Roamer]

Panther, male approximately 18months. Had him just over a year.

Handled rarely

Crickets and hoppers when available. Fed every other day 3-4 large.

Haven’t given him supplements, misting system attached and hand mist daily

Poops appear fine

No previous issues

 

[MissSkittles]

You don’t dust his feeders with calcium, multivitamin or anything else? That would be the problem right there. In addition to needing correct uvb which is at the correct distance to naturally synthesize vitamin D3, he needs to have his all of feeders lightly dusted with calcium without D3, every feeding not just for his bones, but everything. As a type of insurance that he gets enough D3, we need to give additional thru supplementation with either the light dusting of a D3 one feeding every other week. A multivitamin also needs to be given for one edging every other week (alternating with the D3). There are some great D3/multivitamin combination products (Repashy calcium plus LoD and ReptiVite with D3) to make it simpler for those two supplements and is given just one feeding every other week.
When living naturally in the wild, they are able to get all of their nutrients from their food and environment. In captivity, we have to give supplements or they become very sick and will pass away. Honestly, I don’t know what you can do for him other than get him to a good vet immediately and tell the vet everything.

 

[Roamer]

You don’t dust his feeders with calcium, multivitamin or anything else? That would be the problem right there. In addition to needing correct uvb which is at the correct distance to naturally synthesize vitamin D3, he needs to have his all of feeders lightly dusted with calcium without D3, every feeding not just for his bones, but everything. As a type of insurance that he gets enough D3, we need to give additional thru supplementation with either the light dusting of a D3 one feeding every other week. A multivitamin also needs to be given for one edging every other week (alternating with the D3). There are some great D3/multivitamin combination products (Repashy calcium plus LoD and ReptiVite with D3) to make it simpler for those two supplements and is given just one feeding every other week.
When living naturally in the wild, they are able to get all of their nutrients from their food and environment. In captivity, we have to give supplements or they become very sick and will pass away. Honestly, I don’t know what you can do for him other than get him to a good vet immediately and tell the vet everything.

Unfortunately Rizz died this morning, managed to get him to a reptile shop as vets closed but to late, they said it looked like he had sustained an injury and that with chams they deteriorate rapidly. Need to do more research and a lot of thought before thinking of getting another one, thanks for your advice

 

[Paradalis]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[MissSkittles]

I’m very sorry that he passed. The very best site for the most current and correct husbandry is https://chameleonacademy.com/ The information has been meticulously compiled from experts in various fields and is constantly updated as we learn more.

 

[ToastyCham]

Unfortunately Rizz died this morning, managed to get him to a reptile shop as vets closed but to late, they said it looked like he had sustained an injury and that with chams they deteriorate rapidly. Need to do more research and a lot of thought before thinking of getting another one, thanks for your advice

I’m so sorry that you had to go through this.

 

[kinyonga]

So sorry for your loss.