Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,everyone, I have had a jackson for about a year and a half now and all has been good? He lives in a 3x3x2 cage with a giant umbrella plant, has an automatic misting system that goes off 3x a day at 10 minute increments. Has a varied diet, roaches,crickets,supers,mealies silkies and hornworms.His ambient is 77 and basking is 80-85. Today I was just checking on him at 4:30 and he was already curled up and sleeping. He was on his favorite branch and showing sleep colors.I have a few concerns, his appetite has slowed. I free range feed so he may get 10 cricket every other day. I rarely see him eat and I don't see any crickets around. I leave food for them to feed on in the cage. And lately no crickets feeding. I also have notice a lump on his throat. My wife says she does not see anything and I have tried to get a clear picture to post. Should I be concerned? His light are on 6 to 6. Sorry so long. Thanks in advance. Matt p.s I do see him drink and does not seem dehydrated

Ithink he might have some sort of abscess in/on his throat. That is just a guess so i suggest you either see a vet or read up on absecesses.

Try bowl feeding him. That way no crix escape and you can see how much he eats.

Also how old is your chameleon? Was he an import when you purchased him? He might just be dying of old age!
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eric

just messing with you...

10 crickets a day (or every other day) is way too much. Odds are he's overfed, fat and lazy as a result. Not healthy. The swelling is probably right in front of his front legs, kind of on his throat, and it gets more prominent when he's facing down, less so when he's facing up???

Also, is he bulging out the sides of his neck?

Probably edema, from a vitamin imbalance. With jacksonii, it's often vitamin A. What supplements are his insects dusted with and how often?

when they have a vitamin problem (often too much/too little vitamin A), they develop concentrations of fluid, edema. Very hard to "make it go away". It's (if it is the problem) only usualyl caused by a husbandry issue.

Send pics if possible, especially of the head area.

Eric A

N/P
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eric

I supplement with rep-cal calcium with d3 1-2 times a week and rep-cal herptivite 1 every other week I gutload with fresh veggies and got a good gutload from california silkworms. I have had him about a year and a half. He was 3 months old. If any one has articles on abseses and adema I would appreciate it. Thanks Matt

His appetite might be slowing due to the season and because he should be full grown now. 10 crickets a day seems a little much if they are fullgrown crickets.

Regarding the lump on his throat, if its above his legs and sort of below his chin, its likely edema. Check your gutload from California Silkworms and see what type of vitamin A it has in it if any. If its preformed, that might be part of the problem.

I don't keep this species often, but I think you might need to cut down the herptivite to once a month and the ca/D3 to twice a month as long as he's getting UVB light.

I'll try to post articles about edema and abcesses later if I can.