Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my male veiled chameleon for about 8 years now. He has been "getting old" slowly -not seeing as well, not moving around the cage as much and has been hand fed for 6 months now as he was having trouble with coordination and energy. All this has been slow as he has become older and a vet was suprised how old and healthy he was earlier this year but suddenly he took a turn for the worse and I found him lying on the ground too weak to hold onto anything and with his eyes shut. Normally I can squirt water in his mouth and he will swallow it or hand feed him but he won't even swallow the water now or drink from his fountain. I feel so bad. I think he is just getting old and dying but if there is something I can do for him I will. He has been my buddy for so long. I am going to call a vet in the morning but he doesn't seem to know much about chameleons. I might be making a few phone calls. Any help would be great. I just want to know if there is anything I can do or if he is just dying from old age. I have never posted but in the past these I have read these forums and they have always had great answers so I knew just where to go for help...Thanks for reading

Hi there...sad to see an old friend succumb to old age...I know that some can live a bit longer but my veiled just died the same way...getting old slow,he was about 9 years.He did not suffer much,just found him at the bottom one morn.Maybe someone has more info...it happens quick at the end so I don't know what else to say.

Thanks, I wish I could either Do something (which he is acting old lately anyway and so not sure how much longer it would help for) or wish that he would just go like yours did so he would not suffer at all. It's nice to hear of someone's who got old slowly too because I wasn't seeing much online about that. Just younger ones that get sick. It's just sad cuz I can't coax him to do anything and I have always been able to. And if he is dying(and he is) I would rather let him die at home than stress him out by taking him to the vet. Not to mention the money for what they will really be able to do for him. I am really sorry about your little buddy. Good job on the 9 years!!!

Thanks...I meant 8 yrs.old but typed in 9 so mine was about same age as yours...I agree that when they're old ready to go,just let them go instead of stressing by taking them to a vet...I think it's best.If it doesn't want to eat or drink and it's old there's probably nothing you can do...maybe you will get another one when you're ready.

That's a great old life! I had a verrucosus about that age who just laid down on the cage bottom while he was outdoors basking. I picked him up and he died in my hand. Give him something soft to lay on, privacy, and remember him well.