Need some help.....

[Solomon]

I've got an 8 month old ambanja panther female - who hasn't grown very much at all. She's maybe 1" snout to vent and 15 grams

I took her the vet today to get checked out - He said I had her set up great suggested I give her Ensure or Gatorade - as she's constantly drinking - and that he needs to take blood to check out her kidneys.

Problem is, it's difficult for him to take the blood right now as she is still so tiny. I Need to get her bigger so he can take the blood and run the tests. She is clear of parasites via a fecal test he ran today as well.

I'm picking up waxworms today and silkworms as soon as I can(there's no one with them near me) - just trying to feed her soft shelled insects and things that she loves.

So what can I do? I haven't been able to get her growing so far - and I'm running out of ideas. Any help or ideas would be super! She's a sweet little cham and I'd like to get her good and healthy.

Thanks,

-Nick

[meow_mix450]

how much do you usually feed her? Just increase the amount of food

Meow

[Solomon]

Not that easy. She'll be eating great for a week or two - 6 - 10 crickets per day - then one week she'll only eat one or two a day, if that, and lose all her weight. She's very underweight - I thought she was on her last leg a week ago and she bounced back. Everyday is different - some days good others bad.

I cup feed and free range the food for her - because depending on the day - she'll choose one or the other. She also gets mealworms and waxworms frequently and relishes both - but on an off day or week won't eat either.

I really think that there's a big problem in her health - something the vet can't narrow down without the blood tests. Offering her more isn't working - though I thank you for your input.

Any other ideas for picky eaters? I've tried everything I can think of. Variety, ways of serving the meals, different times of day, several small amounts a day......

[CarlC]

Hi Nick,

Do you have a typo in the size description of your girl. 1" at 15 grams. Something isn't right.


Carl

[Solomon]

1.5" - 2" snout to vent she's tiny and underweight.

[Trace]

8 months??? 1.5" SVL??? 15 grams???

Something ain't measuring up here. Are you positive on those figures? Are you sure you even have a Panther Chameleon?

Our sub-adult Jackson's, adult Carpets, Elliot's, Fischers (females) Chameleons have MUCH longer body lengths with weights in and around 10 to 25 grams. Our Rhampholeon species are 1" to 2" SVL and they check in around 2 grams.

Trace

[Solomon]

Wow was I wrong - more like 3 1/2" SVL. The vet said she was 15 grams, I have yet to get a scale. She is a panther, bought from an established breeder(PM me about that if you would like). I'll have to be more accurate with my facts before posting - thanks for the replys. Here is a pic of her today 12/25/04.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/4812Polly-med.jpg

[peterm15]

Thats tiny...... my ive had my veiled about 6 mnths and hes like 6" without tail.... i got him and he was like 1.5" .... do veilds just grow faster or should this one be alot bigger.....????

[Solomon]

She should be nearly - if not - full grown. She's had issues since day 1 (with me). Veileds do grow faster though......

[meow_mix450]

thats 8 months!?!?! Thats not good. Was it from a breeder? Shes tiny for 8 months...Ummmm has see ever laid egg? When you got her, was she smaller then average?

Meow

[wiseman001]

Do U have the proper UV lighting?

[Solomon]

repti-glo 5.0 replaced in July - Needs to be replaced soon.

[meow_mix450]

opps i missed a part, sorry for asking a question that has been already said lol.

Meow