Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I feel good about her setup, but figured I would let others look to troubleshoot - thanks

1-Cage type: >2x2x4 screen
2-Temps: - Basking > 90-98 typically; use digital with probe in cage and temp gun
warmest spot? >95-100
coolest spot? >72
night? >66
>her external body temp ranges from 85-90 during the day
What is the temp in the room at night? >60-70 (depends on time of year)
3-Lighting: > reptisun 5.0 replace every 6 months, Power Sun 160 when she is gravid for better UVB. Her light cycle is 12/12 (typically unless she want to crash early)
4-Humidity: > 20-70 (humidifier and misting). Her cage is covered on 3 sides to help maintain humidity.
5-Water: > hand water (rodent bottle), dripper and misting
6-Food : >crickets, silkworms, (super-, wax- and butter-worms occasionally)
>strawberries, dandelion greens and others WHEN she is eating. Strawberries are a favorite.
>gutload –DRY: either homemade using adcham.com and Reptayls recipes and/or cricketfood.com gutload (only as of late) WET: kale, dandelion greens, sweet potato, carrots, apple, orange, green pepper, summer squash (all organic)
7-Supplements Rep-Cal w/d3 weekly, Herptivite monthly
Rep-Cal w/d3 weekly, Herptivite monthly

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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Beardie Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Hi Lele...you have all of our support and help!

The only different aspect of your husbandry that I do is I give Repcal with vit. d3 3 times a week and Herptivite once every week (this is a normal schedule for my breeding females). I have always done it this way and never had any problems...the only one problem that I had was with a female veiled about 3 years ago but after having a necropsy done, it was concluded that she had a genetic defect.

Also, I don't know if her fluid retention is from her heart shutting down also....from previous experience if her heart is working too hard and becoming enlarged that will cause a backup in fluid...did the xray show an enlarged heart? If not, it is probably due to her kidneys.

What did the vet recommend for a prognosis?
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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

Thanks

"The only different aspect of your husbandry that I do is I give Repcal with vit. d3 3 times a week and Herptivite once every week..."

It was recommended by a few sources that I do it monthly and focus on good gutloading for most vitamins. But regardless, when she doesn't eat, which can be weeks at a time - literally - it is a moot point. Then she gets some repta-aid as her source of nourishment.

Also, I don't know if her fluid retention is from her heart shutting down also....from previous experience if her heart is working too hard and becoming enlarged that will cause a backup in fluid...did the xray show an enlarged heart?"

he didn't say anything about an enlarged heart and I am not too ggod at reading chameleon x-rays! lol! What would goes the enlarged/overworked heart?

What did the vet recommend for a prognosis?

he did not want to speculate until the lab results are in...I am not sure if HE is too sure ;-/ He knows how I obsess and I think he didn't want to give me anything to obsess about until there is more information

I am just sick about all of this. I am going to put her outside for awhile.
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Beardie Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Hi Lele,
Anson is right, don't beat yourself up. There is alot that we don't about chameleons and there is still alot to learn. I'm learning more and more everyday from Stitch and Rana, and although I've had only older female vieleds in the past, I learned alot from Chloe as well, and it is stuff that I will incorrperate into the lives of Stitch and Rana to make them happier and healthier. Without going into detail, I know how you feel, I went through a similar thing with Chloe, and no amount of time or money could make her better. Just try to focus on the positive and the here and now, and take joy in knowing that you have given her a good life and are doing the best you can (and there is no doubt that you are!!!) ... the rest is out of your hands.
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Feenie

1.1 vieled cham.- Stitch and Rana (Missing you,Chloe)
2.2 Canines Junior-pitbull chiuahuah mix, Jose- chiuahuah, Pearl- Staffie, and Daisy- Red nose Pit- foster child
1.0 boyfriend- Trent species unknown