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the problem is the chameleon won't eat, and lately it has been laying on it's back with it's feet in the air...it looks kind of doscile....also, it has been laying in the bottom of the cage away from the heat source...in the past, it always sat under the lights.....could it be in hybernation???? please someone help me .....

Hey,

First of all, are you sure it is an old world chameleon? I know that anoles are often refferred to as chameleons, while they are not. What type of chameleon is it(species). The reason why I am asking this, is because the way a cham's anatomy is, I can not imagine it laying on its back, unless it was broken. Or do you mean that he is laying on his side???

Ank-Inc.
Adam.

P.S.- Here are a few pics of true chameleons.

Thanks for answering this message...the chameleon I have is a veiled chameleon...she is about 2 1/2 to 3 years old ..when I said she was on her back, she was actually more on her side with her feet up....this is totally out of character for her as she use to sit at the highest point of her cage (5' high) now she lays at the bottom and will not eat...I can only expect that she will get weaker...any suggestions??? PS...she doesn't appear to be losing weight...

I have a suggestion - get her to an experienced veterinarian. All the behavior have described is not normal for a healthy chameleon, and it could be due to any number of problems.

Hey,

Yes, DEFINETLY bring her to a vet. Try to get her there asap. Try to get her there today, or tommarrow. It might be a little difficult to find an emergency vet on Sunday, but definetly try your best. In my opinion, she does not have much time. Keep her hydrated, and call the vet.

Ank-Inc.
Adam.

I almost flipped out when I read that it was on the ground, on its back...

That is about as horrifying as you can get in Chameleon care.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Maroantsetra Panther Chameleons
2.0 Long Tailed Grass Lizards
0.0.1 Giant Mellers Chameleon
0.0.2 Kenyan Pigmy Chameleons
500 Escaped Crickets

There must have been other signs leading up to this and if you have had her for a few years I would think you'd have picked up on something and would also know how to care for her. Not quite sure why you waited at all and have not brought her to your vet (hopefully you have one that is knowledgeable in cham care). Please, for the animals sake, get her there ASAP. Good chance that whatever is wrong is too far along and she may have to be put down.
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 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

Stinkywolf stated the chameleon's age at being 2.5-3 years. Never stated that (s)he's had her for this long...
I think the nature of the inquiries indicate a relatively new owner. Perhaps Stinkywolf recently acquired the veiled. Perhaps this chameleon was already advanced in age, was already old when (s)he aquired it.
All this is irrelevant though. I agree that when you see a chameleon laying on the floor with its feet up in the air, it's fairly much already too far gone to help it.
Stinkywolf, good luck to you and your chameleon. Very sorry to hear you're both in this situation. My condolences to you if you do lose her. Take her to the vet ASAP please.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

hey Vic - yeah, I had the same thought that he may have recently gotten her, but figured he'd straighten us out when he replied, which apparently he has not done. Hope he got her to a vet ;(
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 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

Your pet needs some help really quick, sounds pretty bad, I sure hope you found a good vet and got the help needed.

Best wishes for your chameleon to make a full recovery ! Let us know how he does!

Take care,
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PHEve / Eve

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