Hi , my veiled has been going towards the bottom of the cage, lethargic and not eating much over the last week or so. Not sure what to do?
Hello,
Can you tell me about the set up?
Diet?
Supplements?
UVB light? How old, strength, tube or coil?
Do you have a mister?
Is Lila a male or female?
State to locate a Herp Vet?
Joan
I have a xterra set up with branches and vines with substrate the pet store recommended. I'm not sure on the sex. We feed Lila crickets and dust with the calcium about half the time on feedings. Mist a couple of times per day. UVB buld is a coiled one and we also have a 75 watt heat lamp.
Left for a couple of days without feeding or misting and seemed like symptoms started upon our return?
Chameleons get stressed very easily and any change from the norm can cause this. They also do not drink from standing water, so the misting is very important because the drink the droplets off the leaves and brances. If not misted they can become dehydrated. I am concerned since Lila was left without misting and feeding she/he may have gotten stressed. When stressed they are left open for a parasite bloom.
I suggest having an automatic mister in the enclosure at all times. This will help prevent dehydration. Keep Her/Him in a low traffic area, but elevated as they like to look down.
The big problem with chameleons is they a extremely fragile and hide illness well. With Lila at the bottom of the enclosure there is something going on that will need to be addressed by a Herp Vet. I can locate some for you with a State. Normally I would recommend a soak and special feeding, but I am afraid that it may make things worse at this point.
This is one of the best care sheets for Chameleons: http://www.veiledchameleoncaresheet.com/
Please let me know if I can locate the Herp Vet. for you. I feel that at this point Lila needs to be seen as soon as possible to be sure of what be happening and have hands on treatment.
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Joan,
We live in Shawnee, KS. Lila has been like this for about a week now (some times appearing better and climbing upwards again). Would you please tell me more about the treatment you would recommend and also locate a vet?
At home if she is not easily stressed I recommend for first aid a shallow soak in a 50/50 warm water, calcium powder(a pinch in the water) and plain Pedialyte soak for about 5-6 mins. Once done place back in enclosure.
Reptiles will absorb fluid through the vent area. Then I would suggest a supplemental feeding of a chicken baby food mixed with calcium. Drop the mixture on the snout and allow her to lick it off. Calcium is very important when caring for any reptile.
This is a link for Herp Vets in KS: http://www.anapsid.org/vets/kansas.html You may have to travel to see one of these Vets, but they will be the one able to assess her hands on. They will check a fecal sample for parasites and all her blood and organs for any issues.