Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I rescued an adult male Veiled chameleon from a friend. He hasn't eaten in at least a couple of weeks. The former owner had a florescent UV bulb on the chameleon, but they said they bought it when they got the chameleon over a year ago. His eyes are a little sunken in, so I will try to rehydrate him. I don't think he has MBD, since I have never seen a chameleon with MBD, I am not sure what to look for. THe former owner had okay temps, though on the lower end of the temp range for veileds. The former owner said he has just been sitting around in the same place for at least a week. I am not really sure what to do with him. I was planning on getting the Oxbow critical care for carnivores stuff. Can I just buy that from their website? I would really appreciate some help here, Josh

By the way, I am taking him to the vet. The vet I go to is not always there and even if he is, he usually doesn't have any appoinments available. I scheduled an appointment with him, but that is a few days off. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do before going to the vet to help the little guy out. I went to a website about MBD and I am pretty sure he doesn't have MBD, though he might be in an early stage of MBD where he doesn't show symptoms. His joints look a little funny, kinda rounded. He is basking and he seems to be moving around okay, all be it a liitle slow. Maybe he is just cold, hungry, and dehydrated, but I really don't know. Josh

Chameleons can be tricky creatures. If the cham is looking sick then its a good thing that your planning on bringing him to the vet they are notorious for masking their symptoms until its become a serious problem.

As for a "temporary fix" I have used eco terras electrodize supplement with great success. It helps hydrate them and has the potential to reverse mild cases of metabolic bone diease. Good luck with your cham.
Charlene
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0.0.1 Green Water Dragon
1.0.0 Tokay Gecko
1.1.1 Bearded Dragons
0.1.0 Columbian Red-tailed Boa
1.0.0 Yellow Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0.0 Evil Budgie

sounds like your doing a great job so far. the uv is old and needs to be replaced. post your set up and everyone here can double check everything. you can try showering him to help with the dehydration. you can also try a different insects to try and stimulate his appetite. good luck and post some pictures.
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1.1 veiled chameleons
0.0.1 normal cornsnake
1.2 leopard geckos

do they make the meal supplements for insectivores or just carnivores? if they do get that. at my local petcos and petsmarts they have a product called reptiaid which looks like it would do the trick.

-jon
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1.1 veiled chameleons
0.0.1 normal cornsnake
1.2 leopard geckos

Reptiaid is used primarily in situations such as yours. Give live insects of a few types a try first, but get him some reptiaid and follow the directions on how to feed (i don't know how to use it, never had to!).

it is made by Flukers and you should be able to get it at any pet store for $10 or less. follow directions and give with syringe (no needle ) or just on a spoon. Luna liked the stuff and once I got a little in her mouth she readily took it.

good luck!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Is that the appetite stimulant or is it liquid food? jrbl

sort of both in that once he eats some it may stimulate his appetite. It is a powder form that you mix with hot water (can be lumpy so mix well). it contains egg, brewer's yeast, kelp, and other goodies. At least it will give nutrition until he eats insects. You can also make your own bug juice.
bug juice

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)