Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't want it to get lost again. For those who need history go here: forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=963211,963897

Do you have a recent pic of him? Where do you live? We are supposed to get 5-10" of snow tomorrow so I am guessing your storm is coming this way (NH). Obviously you live in a cold DRY region. What is is his humidity setup? I know that in the winter it can be a real problem trying to get humidity up. Luna got a shower almost everyday (she loved them). Just be sure not to let him get chilled on the way back to the cage - have it all nice and toasty for him.

I have no experience with parazap, but did you actually give him any after reading up on it?

The light is probably producing no UVB and hasn't for a long time. Do you still dust his food? Do you check his temps readily? I think it is easy to fall into a routine and not be as aware of the time passing, especially if you only have one or two critters. NOT that I am saying this is OK, but as I said sometimes ya just need someone to head slap ya!

Hopefully Carlton and others will reply as well, but my 2 cents is:
have you tried showering him to keep his hydration up (not 5 minutes, more like 20-30). You might want to try Repta-Aid which will help with hydrating and nourishment. Both Luna a Darwin love(d) the taste and ate it readily. $10 at most chain pet stores.

Once he poops you can keep it in the fridge for a day or so (really more like a day) so collect it each time. Have you looked to see if there is a vet closer? Go to the link below for vet listings. Some tips on the vet trip - Luna and I alwasy seemed to be going in December-April so I had to take extra measures to keep her warm:

*warm up the car for 10 minutes
*find a large box and a smaller box to fit inside with an inch or so in between
*place bubble wrap, padded envelopes, styro peanuts - any of that packing material between the two boxes so you have a layer of insulation
*buy handwarmers in the Outdoor section of any discount store (Wal-Mart, etc.) You can usually get 6pax for about 2 dollars. It's only a vet trip so you don't need the 48 hour heat packs used in shipping)
*put a towel or blanket that is non-terry (no loops to get his claws stuck) and a comfy branch into the box.
*close the box and he will either sleep or at least be pretty mellow by the time you get there.

So, if you and the car can make it, don't worry about him. I am sure your roads are already plowed

Sorry so long (I think all my Luna-mothering instincts just kicked in) but sometimes I pop in for a day or two and then disappear. Please do your very best to get him to the vet and in the meantime keep him hydrated and eating if you can.

lele
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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
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

Thanks so much for the reply Lele.

Yes I dust about once a week calcium and once every week and 1/2 with vitamins, about once a month with reptivite. I gutload my roaches too. I will definately try that repti-aid stuff...I'll swing by after work. About showering...I just moved about 7 months ago and he hasn't had a shower since. We have well water here and I didn't think it'd be good for him. But maybe I'm wrong?? I've been bringing his water from in town.
I mist his cage about 2-3 times daily and he also has a humidifier on top of his cage that provides a little more humidity. I have an electronic gauge somewhere around here...

I'm located in Indiana by the way...I hope we don't get 10 inches.
Thanks for the info on how to get him there. I had something similar to that but didn't even think about the box within a box insulator. Good idea!
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1.0 Picasso panther chameleon (Pablo)
1.0 D. Tinctorius (Cobalt V.)
0.1.1 D. Auratus
0.0.1 Golddust Day Gecko

Definitely change that light! Just think, if he hasn't been getting much if any UV exposure for the past 1.5 years he hasn't been ablt to metabolize the vitamins and minerals you've been giving him (if the light is 2 years old). I don't think you need that 2nd week vitamin dust. Just stick with once a month. It is easy to overdose pre-made vitamins. If your gutload is good the dusts are just for gap filling (insurance). It's always a good idea to check up on the actual cage humidity with a gauge. It may be much drier than you think especially in winter, and low grade constant dehydration can damage kidneys. Also, at age 4 he is probably approaching cham senior citizen. I know more chams are living to be 6-7, but remember, they were not "expected" to live much beyond 2-3 in the wild, and biological beings originally designed to live fairly short lives do start to have issues when they are past their prime. He may not be showing real signs of age, but he may also be less flexible about handling changes in care.