Skinny?!

[chitzkoy]

Had my Cham for 6 days now. Haven't seen him feed or drink. Poops 5 days straight except today. Skinny?! Need/advice inputs please.

 

[Randall-the-Chameleon]

I hate that I have to write this but in a personal experience with a orphan baby deer I learned that when an animal is starved to a certain point they completely loose interest in eating. He is likely nearing death right now because pet smart didn't feed him enough.
I would try to feed him some worms and/or what he was most likely fed his whole life - crickets. Misting on his crest will get water to drain in his mouth. If he just does not eat you will have to force feed to 'restart ' the digestive system and so he does not starve. I do not know how to force feed a chameleon.

 

[chitzkoy]

I hate that I have to write this but in a personal experience with a orphan baby deer I learned that when an animal is starved to a certain point they completely loose interest in eating. He is likely nearing death right now because pet smart didn't feed him enough.
I would try to feed him some worms and/or what he was most likely fed his whole life - crickets. Misting on his crest will get water to drain in his mouth. If he just does not eat you will have to force feed to 'restart ' the digestive system and so he does not starve. I do not know how to force feed a chameleon.

Yeah I have been soaking him every day for 10min before I leave for work. Also with a dripper and automatic mister. He won't let me touch him so having second thoughts on force feeding him

 

[KapitalJ]

Do you notice your feeders are gone? If you can't keep track of the feeders try cup feeding. This way you can see what is being eaten.

 

[chitzkoy]

Do you notice your feeders are gone? If you can't keep track of the feeders try cup feeding. This way you can see what is being eaten.

Yeah I have been cup feeding and keeping track of how many I put in

 

[KapitalJ]

You say you haven't seen him feed, but are the feeders gone when you come back? @chitzkoy

 

[chitzkoy]

You say you haven't seen him feed, but are the feeders gone when you come back? @chitzkoy

Nope.. Still there.. Is this still acclimation?

 

[KapitalJ]

It's hard for me to say. They sometimes do take a few days to get used to their new surroundings, maybe longer.

IMO if he is having a bowel movement every day, he must be eating something??

 

[chitzkoy]

It's hard for me to say. They sometimes do take a few days to get used to their new surroundings, maybe longer.

IMO if he is having a bowel movement every day, he must be eating something??

Been reading through the forums for months before he arrived and most say they take at least 1 - 2 weeks sometimes 3 to be comfortable to their new cage. Just concerned that he is not eating.

The black part of his poop seems to getting smaller every day though

 

[KapitalJ]

I would suggest leaving him alone for a couple of days, only opening cage to provide misting or refill of a dripper.
I know it is hard not to peek in on your new friend, but that may be all that it takes.

Can you post a pic of your set up? Does he have lots of hiding spots?

 

[chitzkoy]

I would suggest leaving him alone for a couple of days, only opening cage to provide misting or refill of a dripper.
I know it is hard not to peek in on your new friend, but that may be all that it takes.

Can you post a pic of your set up? Does he have lots of hiding spots?

He's been home alone for a week not. I only open his cage for the morning 5min mist and feeder. Spot cleaning in the afternoon and removing the feeders. No live plant test as I cannot find non toxic plants near my area, might have to go out of the city for that.

 

[chitzkoy]

He finally ate!! Now to monitor his urates for hydration.

 

[carol5208]

That is good! I had an adult panther I took in from another member on here. He did not eat for 11 days when I first got him! Your does look awful skinny though. Hopefully he will continue to eat and do well for you!

 

[chitzkoy]

That is good! I had an adult panther I took in from another member on here. He did not eat for 11 days when I first got him! Your does look awful skinny though. Hopefully he will continue to eat and do well for you!

Yeah hoping he puts some weight on fast. Now working on getting him to drink.

 

[Haileybug]

Yeah hoping he puts some weight on fast. Now working on getting him to drink.

I'm so glad he's eating ! Make sure your calcium is right food no bigger than the space between its eyes gut load your insects you can try wax worms to help fatten your Cham up!

 

[chitzkoy]

I'm so glad he's eating ! Make sure your calcium is right food no bigger than the space between its eyes gut load your insects you can try wax worms to help fatten your Cham up!

Got the supplements schedule ready and feeding him nymph dubias for now.

Gut loading shredded carrot and apples plus cricket block 24hrs before feeding. Don't have wax worms in my country so gonna make do with super works for now.

Seeing that tongue shoot live for the first time was awesome!

 

[Damicofam6]

Tr getting some horn worms or silk worms. What is he currently eating?

 

[chitzkoy]

Tr getting some horn worms or silk worms. What is he currently eating?

Not sure if I could get those here in my country.. We have so few option here(supplies / feeder).

Currently on dubia and I give a meal/superworm thrice a week as a treat

 

[Haileybug]

Got the supplements schedule ready and feeding him nymph dubias for now.

Gut loading shredded carrot and apples plus cricket block 24hrs before feeding. Don't have wax worms in my country so gonna make do with super works for now.

Seeing that tongue shoot live for the first time was awesome!

What do you mean your eyes getting your calcium sced "ready"? What is it ?

 

[Damicofam6]

Not sure if I could get those here in my country.. We have so few option here(supplies / feeder).

Currently on dubia and I give a meal/superworm thrice a week as a treat

Look around for horn worms. I like to get them every once in a while cause they're great for hydration.