Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok here's my problem, at the exotic animal rescue I work at, this last week we had a small chameleon donated. I'm pretty sure it's a veiled, and I'm not sure the sex but I'm leaning toward a young male, after seeing pics of females. Anyways, we get lots of reptiles donated to us, and I do the best I can to make sure they are all taken care of and some of the more common ones like ball pythons and red tail boas we try to find approved homes for, or else we just get over run, but this is the first time we've gotten a cham and even though I've never had experience with them before I can tell he's not healthy. I sorta thought it could be metabolic bone disease, cause the guy who had hi didn't have a UV light or anything. The joints of at least two of his wrists is kinda swollen, and he seems pretty weak overall, having a hard time staying upright, and kinda disoriented. I might be bring home with me next weekend, I just want to get him under a UV light asap but what do you think is the matter with him? Also, his belly is a little swollen as well, but I'm not sure what a normal chameleons belly is supposed to look like, I'm mainly a snake person with a bearded dragon and leopard gecko here and there. Let me know what you guys think, does all he need is some good rays and calcium dust? I really hope so.
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People Who Say Money Can't Buy You Happiness Obviously Don't Know Where To Buy A Herp

1.0 Cornsnake 1.0 Ball Python 0.1 Cal Kingsnake 1.0 Bearded Dragon 0.1 Leo Gecko 0.1 Beauty Snake 0.2 Chilean Rose-haired Tarantulas 0.1 Egyptian Sand Boa, 0.0.1 Pink Toe Tarantula, 0.0.1 Red Footed Tortoise

Males have tarsal spurs on their heels from the day they are born and females don't...
http://adcham.com/html/husbandry/glossary/tarsalspur.html

You said..."it could be metabolic bone disease, cause the guy who had hi didn't have a UV light or anything. The joints of at least two of his wrists is kinda swollen, and he seems pretty weak overall, having a hard time staying upright, and kinda disoriented"...although it is likely MBD...only a vet can tell you for sure. IMHO, if it is, he need UVB ASAP. You can buy a liquid calcium (calcium glucoate) at the pharmacy that can be given to him...but be careful, its syrupy and hard for them to swallow. If you have any supplement that contains D3 you could dust the insects with it to help him get some into his system. A description of what it done is contained in the following site as well as a list of symptoms of MBD....
http://adcham.com/html/veterinary/mbd-fractures-kramer.html

You said..."his belly is a little swollen as well, but I'm not sure what a normal chameleons belly is supposed to look like"...here are some pictures of normal bellies...
http://adcham.com/images/images-species/Ch.calyptratus/ChamaeleoCalyptratusM1.jpg
http://adcham.com/images/images-species/Ch.calyptratus/ChameleoCalyptratusF2.jpg

Is he pooping? Did he have any substrate in his cage?

Thank you very much, this helps a ton. After looking at those pictures of the chams with MBD, I'm more convinced that's what the problem is. He does seem to be pooping, there was some in his cage, and he has a wood chip substrate with lots of fake plants and vines inside and a water dish. I tried feeding him Sunday but he wouldn't take it, and since that is the only day I work there, I don't know if anyone else tried to feed him or if he ate at all. Thanks again, hopefully with everyones help here will get this guy healthy again.
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People Who Say Money Can't Buy You Happiness Obviously Don't Know Where To Buy A Herp

1.0 Cornsnake 1.0 Ball Python 0.1 Cal Kingsnake 1.0 Bearded Dragon 0.1 Leo Gecko 0.1 Beauty Snake 0.2 Chilean Rose-haired Tarantulas 0.1 Egyptian Sand Boa, 0.0.1 Pink Toe Tarantula, 0.0.1 Red Footed Tortoise

You said..."He does seem to be pooping, there was some in his cage, and he has a wood chip substrate with lots of fake plants and vines inside and a water dish. I tried feeding him Sunday but he wouldn't take it, and since that is the only day I work there, I don't know if anyone else tried to feed him or if he ate at all"...I don't recommend using a substrate in a chameleon's cage. Some of the wood chips contain oils that are toxic to them. Some of the substrates can be ingested and cause impaction (one of the reasons I was asking if he was pooping). I would rather not take the risk of using a substrate. Most chameleons won't drink from a water dish and its a place for bacteria to grow if it isn't kept very clean.

I hope that you will take him to the vets to find out what is wrong with him for sure...and so he can get the necessary treatment for his problems.

Take the poor creature to a vet. It's obviously not been well cared for. You have a big learning curve in terms of feeding, humidty, set-up etc. I'd look for a local keeper who can help you, as it will be faster than book and on-line research.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada