Veiled chameleon weak

Question
My veiled chameleon is weak limbed. I have increased calcium intake and purchased new UVA/UVB bulbs as well as a night heat lamp all in an effort to try to fix the problem. He eats a bit if I feed by hand - silk worms, meal worms and superworms with heads off. Won't go after food himself. Has not been eating crickets at all lately, nor his usually treat - berries. I put ice cubes on top of screen everyday. He seem dehydrated as well. I have called a vet but not sure what they can do for him and how much it will cost. What can you recommend and what will the vet do for him?

Answer
Hi Betty:

I am not sure I can be of service to you but I will try, I deal with venomous species of snakes.

Calcium uptake requires D-3 also, have you been adding D-3 to its diet?  Too much calcium is also a bad thing, read all directions and buy the highest quality supplements available.

Handle as little as possible, make sure it has a spot in the enclosure where it can hide from the world and don't bother it when it is inside its hiding spot.

Take it out of the enclosure and place in a dark box. 100% disinfect its enclosure and all contents, then replace it into the sterile enclosure.

The UVA and UVB should be on according to the manufacturers listing for your animal. If the day is warm and sunny, place the enclosure under direct sunlight and watch carefully if the day is extremely warm.

Fresh air and fresh water are a must, every day.

See the Vet and let him or her have a look.

Lay off a lot of crickets, exoskeleton's are hard to digest and only feed it gut loaded crickets now and then, meal and wax worms as well as fruits are best.  Buy a good book on your species basic needs.

I don't guess a prayer would do any harm either, anything is worth a try, as long as it does not cause harm.

You might want to read some biographies of other people here, I bet you will find someone with more knowledge then I.  If you need me again, don't hesitate to write back, I will do all I can to help.

                           Best of luck
                               Joel


PS: Make sure it has been using the bathroom, if not, tell the Vet and do not give it any more solid food, just water untill the Vet advises you what to do.  Sorry I forgot this, it is very important, also if it is using the John, bring a dropping with you to the vet so they can check for parasites etc.