Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I haven't been on here in a while, but I have read some of the posts about Luna and I'm sorry to hear she isn't doing well. I know you have probably heard all of the advice, but I'm going to give some of my ideas anyway. Sometimes you have to try 100 before you find one that works, right?
If you think putting her in a tank is going to be too rough on her, try putting a garbage back or some sort of plastic under her cage (to protect the floor) and soaking then ringing out 2-3 towels every morning (and night if needed) and putting them over the sides of her cage. This will help quite a bit. If you have more than one light in her cage try aiming one at a corner to help the moisture evaporate from the one side. Also, I find that when orion is not feeling well adding another light to her cage helps a lot. BUT, if hydration is a huge concern (as it seems to be) you don't want to raise the ambient temps too much. :S
Also, if you can find a baby food she likes the taste of (it took a while, but I found one orion likes) you can mix that with pedialite and water, and put it on her mouth. I used to have to force orions mouth open so she'd take the first lick, but some might run in her mouth cuz she has the cute little Luna lips. If she gets some it may trigger a lapping response, and you can keep getting some into her that way. since she's gravid i'd mix in some liquid calcium. I know this was probably already suggested, but I have had luck with it in the past so I couldnt not suggest it. ALSO, I have noticed lately that Orion will sometimes only eat one silky at a time (I've had problems with her for sometime about eating enough - at least she'll eat silkys now - not to break your heart...) BUT if she is still chewing the first one i can sneak the end of another one in her mouth, and she'll keep eating it too. I would try this if Luna will take another worm. You can probably get a few more into her this way. ALSO, my vet mentioned that when Orion was having egg problems she may have been trying to "hold them over winter". It didn't happen to be the case, and my vet is a nut i think, BUT you could look into whether or not lowering her temps slightly to mimic winter will help her gestation take longer. i can't SUGGEST it, because I honestly have no research or experience to base it on, but I would definately look into it.
Hope she turns around soon. Do you even wonder if it is all just a game to them? "I wonder how much I can scare mommy THIS time hehehe" I've often wondered that about Orion....
~Lindsay
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~Lindsay
0.1 panther chameleon (Orion)
1.1 r. brevicaudatus chams (unnamed)
0.1 leopard gecko (Acadia)
(1.0 pictus gecko) (Raine)
1.2 cats (Tigger/Bonzai/Kira)
(1.0 dwarf hampster) (Chico the monster)
someday will have 1.1 great danes (will be Osiris and Solaris)

Hi Lindsay,

thanks for those suggestions. I can't hose down the cage b/c it is in a free standing closet, but the towels at night is a good idea. Funny, I didn't even think of it as I was always in the habit of making sure her cage is dry before lights out.

She has 3 lights but I took out the MV bulb b/c it was raising temps too much, but she has her reptisun. She goes south (lol) if she wants to cool down or under the mist.

She gets me all excited that she is eating then she stops again. She does take the repta-aid. I am hesitant to add calcium at this point until I get it checked again. It was really high and she got the calcitonin last week. I'll be checking in with my vet this weekend and see if she should be tested again to see what her Ca is doing. Baby food - I will pick some up. Which is Orion's favorite? Luna like strawberries soi maybe I can find a strawberry/banana! Gee, I have a food processor, never thought of making my own...hmmm

I am very interested to find out about brumation with chams. Not to the degree that beardies go - into a real torpor, but a cool down period to slow things down. I would love to skip that December clutch! It is on my research list to do this spring/summer. Do you know anyone who has done it? I am sure I can get some help here. Just want to get thru this period first ;-/

Yes, I think Luna started out playing games with me but took it too far! Shame on her!

How is Orion doing??

thanks! good to see you bakc here

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha