So Pleased!

[ZiggyStardust]

Took Ziggy to the reptile vet that we use for our tortoises tonight.

There's nothing wrong with him, I thought, but I've had him four nearly 5 months now, so I wanted her to check him out, make sure that there were no signs of the dreaded MBD and to ask her if he was healthy, going into winter.

Shona is an absolute expert in reptiles, people come as far as 50 miles away in the UK to seek her advice, there isn't much she doesn't know. She saved the life of our female Mediterranean tortoise about 8 years ago, when she suffered a prolapse, operated on her twice in three days when she suffered yet another, which involved taking part of the bottom of her shell off. I hold her in the highest regard because Gertie, the tortoise recovered amazingly and has never looked back.

So, I managed to get Ziggy out of his viv without problem and got him to her. As soon as I got him out her eyes shone - she LOVES chams! I explained to her in detail my set up, my husbandry, what he's fed (juvenile locusts, silkworms, calci worms and wax worms as an occasional treat - he will not touch crickets) - my daily routine and how I monitor things such as humidity.

She said that he is one of the healthiest and best looking young male Veileds that she has seen and actually congratulated me on keeping a lizard!

Considering that Ziggy is my first ever lizard, let alone a Chameleon, to say that I was pleased is an understatement.

He shows absolutely no signs of MBD, his mucous membranes are perfect, as is his weight.

I really am pleased, because I know that keeping chams isn't easy, but I have worked very hard and do spend a lot of time every day trying to make sure that I have the best environment for a captive cham and that he is happy and settled as possible.

I am getting a young Panther in a few weeks time and having heard what she said to me tonight, it has given me the confidence to know that what I am doing is right and that I can keep my chameleons happy and healthy.

Sorry for a bit of a self-absorbed post, but I just wanted to share, and also to say that it is entirely possible for an absolute novice chameleon owner to get it right, as long as you are prepared to spend the time and effort each and every day to provide for your lizard.

 

[jannb]

That's great news! I'm glad to hear that Ziggy is well and had a good check up.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Thank you Jan - I know from reading the Forums that you are something of a Veiled expert, so I regularly and eagerly read your posts and advice! I will try and take some photos of Zig and post them, I have them on my phone but not my PC but would love you to let me know what you think?

I love him to bits, I really do. I have bonded with him in a way that I never thought I would. He's everything to me and knowing that he is healthy is a great feeling!

I thought that he might be a bit stressed after an hours round trip in a car today and being hauled out and handled by a vet, but as soon as I put him back in his viv, he went to bask and then ate 4 hoppers that I put in straight away, so he's obviously happy!

Thanks Jan. x

 

[jannb]

Thank you Jan - I know from reading the Forums that you are something of a Veiled expert, so I regularly and eagerly read your posts and advice! I will try and take some photos of Zig and post them, I have them on my phone but not my PC but would love you to let me know what you think?

I love him to bits, I really do. I have bonded with him in a way that I never thought I would. He's everything to me and knowing that he is healthy is a great feeling!

I thought that he might be a bit stressed after an hours round trip in a car today and being hauled out and handled by a vet, but as soon as I put him back in his viv, he went to bask and then ate 4 hoppers that I put in straight away, so he's obviously happy!

Thanks Jan. x

You are very welcome! I'd love to see some recent photos.

 

[Lovereps]

You should be pleased with yourself.
Chams aren't considered a beginner's pet mainly because they have very specific needs that are "non-negotiable" and, making things more difficult is that chams hide all signs of illness until they no longer can--and unless a new keeper realizes that, problems result.

Ziggy is fortunate to have such a caring owner as well as having access to such an excellent vet.

I think it would be helpful to others if you shared her name and location.

There are sometimes inquiries as to which vets know how to treat a cham and it sounds like you've found one worth sharing.

 

[Kath44]

I'd be interested in knowing where she is based. Good on you keeping zingy happy and healthy. Kath.

 

[Traceyd]

Well done... And no way self absorbed, proud I just hope I make a good owner as you are! Information is just so conflicting you don't know what to do for the best... But this forum is amazing... Would be great to see your Cham I can't wait till I get mine but need everything to be in place for him... What calcium are you using and what is your feeding regime if you don't mind me asking?

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Well done... And no way self absorbed, proud I just hope I make a good owner as you are! Information is just so conflicting you don't know what to do for the best... But this forum is amazing... Would be great to see your Cham I can't wait till I get mine but need everything to be in place for him... What calcium are you using and what is your feeding regime if you don't mind me asking?

Hi Tracey. I use ZooMed Repti Calcium at every feeding and then twice a month (and I have it on my calendar) I use ZooMed Reptivite with D3.

My lad won't touch crickets AT ALL - even when I starved him for 3 days, so I vary the insects that he will eat.

I can't get Silkworms every week - it depends on the breeder. Sometimes Chameleoco (amazing cham and lizard outlet that I am lucky enough to be 8 miles away from!) has them, but sometimes not.

I use a staple of young locust (hoppers) and keep these in three tanks, depending upon their size. They are gut loaded with collard greens, calabrese, grapes, tomatoes, oranges and romaine lettuce. I also feed calci worms (Ziggy loves these) and wax worms once a week as a treat, although I have a tub of chrysalis and these are hatching into moths once a day and he adores them!

I try to vary his food, so when I have Silkies.... I put about four out on a morning and if they're gone in the afternoon, then the next day I put out hoppers, and the next day some waxies and a couple of silkworm moths.

Variety is the essence to keeping a cham happy. If you give him the same food, day in, day out, he will become bored and stop eating. Vary it, and you have a thriving cham. I struggled a bit, at first, when I found out that he wouldn't eat crickets, but I have found 4 different food sources that he loves and particularly the silkworms.... they are absolutely brilliant nutrition wise for chams.

Hope this answers your queries, but if I can be of further help, just let me know!

 

[Traceyd]

Thanks that's a great help.., I haven't got my Cham yet but will be getting the viv etc by the end of next week then once that is sorted out I will get my wee Cham... But want to be armed with everything before he comes home... Can I ask what plants you have I your viv

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Thanks that's a great help.., I haven't got my Cham yet but will be getting the viv etc by the end of next week then once that is sorted out I will get my wee Cham... But want to be armed with everything before he comes home... Can I ask what plants you have I your viv

2 umbrella plants (large in pots) a hibiscus and a ficus.

i also have some artificial leaves up top, with lots and lots of twigs and vines.