What's wrong with my Veiled ???

R

rbail

New Member
I bought a male veiled about 6 weeks ago, and he has been doing fine. Eats about 4 - 5 crickets (dusted every 3rd day with Reptivite w/D3) meal worms and wax worms ( 1 or 2 every 4 or 5 days as treats), he drinks well and has been very active. That is until this morning, he was still eating and drinking and active, but his coloration was different. He had black radiatiing around hi eyes, and on his casque. His body colors were brighter green than usual, and he was showing for the first time some strong hints of yellow. No mirrors and no females around ... he's the only chameleon in the house right now. Aside from his coloration he acted fine and I watched him eat and drink so I went out for the afternoon to take care of some things.

I was out for most of the day, and when I got home about 2 hours ago, he was near the bottom of his enclosure and looked pale and acts sort of weak. His legs look almost a whitish color and he is sitting on a branch in an unusual position.

Okay, I know he is not in the optimun setup, but it is was was recommended at PetCo where I got him (mistake I know now) a ZooMed glass with a vented from and screen top 12" x 12" x 18" with a waterfall (the don't recognize still water, coconut bark substrate, several vines the bendy kind that they sell, and some fake plants. I have a 14" UVB 5.0 and a Reptisun 5.0 UVB self ballasting, and a night black light kind of bulb that I don't remember the manufacturer, I also have a ZooMed fogger which was recommended at my local pet shop. And of course a therm. and Hum. Temp is between 75 and 85 F and the humidity ranges from about 30% normal and up to 75 +- when the fogger is on ... at least 4 times a day for about 15 min. each time.

Anyway, I just ordered a screen enclosure 18" x 18" x 36" and am losing the substrate, waterfall and fake plants. I was anxious to come home tonight as I had picked up a couple of great plants for him, and nice Schleffera and a ficas robusta that I was going to let him play on a couple of hours a day until the new enclosure arrives (probably Wednesday).

Also his defecate looks normal and he goes regularly but I haven't had him checked for parasites...on a budget unfortunately.

So ... any thoughts and/or suggestions will be very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
 

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Last edited:
so wat is the problem?.....some color chamge mite b normal, maybe he is getting more mature and or he mite b just stresses or something aroused him...not sure, but he looks a little bloated....better pics if you can:eek: and your whole setup....
 
You dont need to dust with d3 that often, twice a month will do. So wait are you saying you have 2 UVB bulbs? All the changes you are making look good, keep us updated on your chameleon :)
 
Are you sure it is a male? Do the back feet have the Tarsal Spurs? The first picture, your cham looks very bloated.
 
Wow that was a fast reply...Thanks! Yeh, 2 UV bulbs one flourescent and one of the screw in flourescent self ballasting kind. Actually right now I just checked on him and he is breathing heavily, not gasping with open mouth, but is rib cage is expanding and contracting a lot and he is just sort of looking weak and hanging on to his fav branch. His eyes also now look to be enlarged although closed as he is sleeping ... another unusual thing is his tail is not curled up or wrapped around a branch as is usual for him ...just kind of straight?
 
So are you positive it is a male? You don't need two uvb bulbs. Just the one. Get rid of the compact screw one and keep the tube.
 
Welcome to the forum :)

Something is wrong after looking at those pics...can you post answers to the following questions to give us a better idea on what maybe going on. I know some questions you answered but its better to get a more complete picture.

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?
 
Could it be a female that needs to lay eggs? He said it was on the bottom of the cage when he found it. I am trying to find out if the back feet have the spurs for sure.
 
* How are you gut-loading your feeders? Gut loading using Flukers with calcium, and Cricket Quencher for hydration.

Cage Info:

* What is your daily lighting schedule? 12 Hrs. on 12 off

* How do you measure these temps? I use those round thermometer and humidity gauges from PetCo.

* 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? Not near any fans, windows, vents etc. top of the cage is about 6' off of floor, and not in a high traffic area.

* Location - Where are you geographically located Located in New Jersey

Update is not good he fell off of his branch as I watched helplessly. I took him out of the cage and put him the new ficas tree I bought today, and it is in the shower with one light a Zilla halogen night black heat 75W clamped to the door. Temp is now 85 F at the top of the plant and the humidity is approx 35%. I don't know if this will help? I also have several big, soft towels on the shower floor in case he falls again. At least he is secure until morning. I just hope he makes it till them ... he is very weak. His breathing seems to have calmed some since I put in in there ... keeping my fingers crossed and I won't be getting much sleep tonight!

Thanks to everyone for there replies!
 
HI Carol, yeh me too...he definitely has the spurs on his back feet, and I was told he was a male at Petco ...but then??? But def has the spurs!
 
I only know of 1 vet in my area who has any exp with reps. and he isn't in until Mon ... unfortunately I can't afford an emergency visit right now.
 
Agreed on the vet! I thought maybe it was a long shot that he was a she but I guess not. I don't know, tomorrow is Sunday, can you find a vet around by you on a Sunday?.
 
I'll most definitely be looking, but my LPS only knew of 1 with rep experience ... and for an emergency (after hours/night/weekend) visit it's something like $125 just to walk in the door.

I just checked in on him, and he has moved a little bit, but still looks bad, stil very weak and his position is very awkward looking. He did wrap his tail around a branch though which I hope is a good sign?
 
Its just an educated guess but I don't think it will make it until Monday.
You could talk to the vet and see if s/he will work out some payment plan for you.
 
I'm amazed at how fast this came on. He has been great up until this morning, and even then he was still eating, drinking, pooping and active ... just his coloring was unusual. about 7 hours later this is what I came home too!

He just moved a bit again...moved up a few inches on the branch and his breathing doesn't appear to be as labored.

I'll call the vet first thing in the AM and see if I can work something out with him? I would do it now, but I hve my 9 year old tonight and he is already sound asleep and has to get up early as it is.
 
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