I could use a little help

So, even though I've been doing really well with chameleons, snakes, gators, yatta yatta I've run into an issue. I just bought a baby veiled chameleon from NERD, they're awesome, but in any case I think there's a problem. It's a feisty little guy, but it's WICKED clumsy, and seems to have some issues climbing, grasping onto it's leaves and vines, as well as just moving. I'm thinking it's a calcium deficiency. However, on the same note it appears the little guy has something wrong with his mouth as well. When he opens it to hiss or eat a cricket it seems as though it's sticky or not opening all the way. I'm not sure - I'm just asking for some tips or advice. I know the whole "take it to the vet" is coming, but they won't see me for under 250 bucks and I only want to do that as a last resort. Any suggestions? Thanks.:confused:

If you just got him from NERD, have you contacted Kara or someone else at their facility to ask them about it? They'll probably be willing to give you some advice about it. I would e-mail or call Kara and see what she has to say.

--Kim

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Originally Posted by twiztid

So, even though I've been doing really well with chameleons, snakes, gators, yatta yatta I've run into an issue. I just bought a baby veiled chameleon from NERD, they're awesome, but in any case I think there's a problem. It's a feisty little guy, but it's WICKED clumsy, and seems to have some issues climbing, grasping onto it's leaves and vines, as well as just moving. I'm thinking it's a calcium deficiency. However, on the same note it appears the little guy has something wrong with his mouth as well. When he opens it to hiss or eat a cricket it seems as though it's sticky or not opening all the way. I'm not sure - I'm just asking for some tips or advice. I know the whole "take it to the vet" is coming, but they won't see me for under 250 bucks and I only want to do that as a last resort. Any suggestions? Thanks.:confused:

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Originally Posted by twiztid

... but they won't see me for under 250 bucks and I only want to do that as a last resort. Any suggestions? Thanks.:confused:

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???? $250?!?! My vet charges $35 for a visit. I know some charge more...but where the heck does a number that big come from? :confused:

I wish I were more help, but I know nothing of chams. I concur with Kim, though...give NERD a call and see what advice they can offer.

Crazy cash isn't it? I called and they were like "blah blah blah no guarantees but we'll take your money blah blah blah" so I'm just tee bit mad about that. I think I'm actually going to give NERD a call, drive up there today, and try to do an exchange for another chameleon. It's a shame though, I feel bad watching this guy.

sounds like metabolic bone disease which is caused by a calcium deficiency.

how long have you had the chameleon? they have extremely specific needs and are quite prone to calcium deficiency. is there any other vet in your area that you can take it to? the $250 minimum is a load of crap.

I honestly don't know, I asked around and my friend david who has a gecko or two told me about "his" vet that knows a bit about reptiles - needless to say I wasn't thrilled about that. I know about the whole meticulous husbandry needed for chameleons, it's just frustrating because it comes from such a reputable place and I've NEVER encountered this type of problem even in average pet shop purchases. The guy is just wicked clumsy, weak grip, looks like he's trying to swim when he's trying to walk. And it's tough to feed him too. I don't wanna wait for the third strike in this instance.

How are you keeping the chameleon(type of lighting, temperature, enclosure size, enclosure type)? What are you feeding (type,size,etc.)? How does it get water?

Problems with chameleons are husbandry mistakes 95% of the time.....the other 5% is due to chameleons being chameleons, some are just prone to problems.

I have both the uvb uva bulbs. Have them set up so that the uvb runs for 6 hours the uva runs for 6 with it to increase heat, and then at night I use a blacklight bulb, so it doesn't disturb them and keeps the temperatures up even a tad bit because it drops a bit in my room. I have an automatic misting system which runs 3 times daily for 2-3 minutes depending on which chameleon. The diet consists of crickets, 'pillars, and wax worms. The crickets have been fed mustard/collard greens and commercial cricket foods. The enclosures for the chameleons are screened on each side with a thicker screening on the backside to provide a grippier/sturdier backing for branches to rest against. The temps are usually right around 78-80 in the day with low 70's in the evening. I offer the little guys food every morning and evening. Believe it or not but the more mature ones are all well established with human activity and do not mind taking a trip on me or my friends heads from time to time. In any case, I've had this new chameleon since tuesday evening. So it's too soon for a husbandry issue of my own to effect him - I think??

you can find a list of herp vets by state at arav.org.

Wow thanks, I appreciate that :)

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Originally Posted by twiztid

In any case, I've had this new chameleon since tuesday evening. So it's too soon for a husbandry issue of my own to effect him - I think??

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if it is mbd then the chameleon had it before you got it. i don't know how far NERD is from you or what their exchange/return policies are but i think a trip back there with the little guy may be in order. i'd give them a call and see what they suggest.

Yeah, it's a good hour and a half away, no biggy though. I'm a high school student and all so a little time out of my day isn't a problem yet. But yeah I plan to call them in a bit and begin this epic journey I think. I never like doing stuff like this. That list though, apparently there's a reptile vet in Portsmouth New Hampshire - might give him a call in the future. Thanks again

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Originally Posted by twiztid

The enclosures for the chameleons are screened on each side with a thicker screening on the backside to provide a grippier/sturdier backing for branches to rest against. The temps are usually right around 78-80 in the day with low 70's in the evening. I offer the little guys food every morning and evening.

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What is your basking temp? Are you supplementing the food?

Yeah, I supplement the food with that dusting crap - it's like an art after a little while. But yeah, I took the guy back, turns out most of the males had an issue? Something about their back legs, however, I was given an absolutely gorgeous little female that's about the same age as another healthy male veiled I have, so that'll be an interesting thing to follow up on. But no, NERD pulled through and was wicked helpful and concerned - great place. But the basking temp. within the "beam of light" is around 90 or so. Female chams. are a great deal more difficult than males though, any tips/forewarnings as to what lies ahead?

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Originally Posted by twiztid

But the basking temp. within the "beam of light" is around 90 or so. Female chams. are a great deal more difficult than males though, any tips/forewarnings as to what lies ahead?

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Get that basking temperature up to around 105-110. Females are no different than males....care is identical for the most part.

The whole egg laying ordeal is bad everyone says. All I hear is "blah blah they need so much more calcium" or "they're a lot less forgiving", just a bunch of garbage or what?