chameleon advice ASAP!!!

Question
QUESTION: my chameleon isn't even a year old yet. his eyes are always closed and i tried

spraying getting more food, checking if the water is right, keeping his light

on and off when appropriate, and when i tried taking him outside in the sun

he finally opened his eyes and moved around playfully enjoying himself. but

everytime i put him back in his cage he closes his eyes and rarely EVER opens

them. while i was outside with im i also noticed a black liquidy matter inside

his mouth. i researched it and learned that it could be a mouth infection. i

tried removing it myself but couldn't. please help im very worried for my

chameleon!!!!!! ps while i was researching i also noticed tat a bad sign to have
was dark circles around the eyes. at first i didn't notice any of that but now i
notice some!!plz help im extremely worried!!!!!

ANSWER: Hello Ayah,

What type & brand of UVB light are you using?  Is it a flourescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
What type of basking light do you use, a bright white light or a colored light?
What are the temps in the tank?  What type of thermometer are you using to measure the temps with, a stick on, a digital probe or a temp gun?
What are the humidity levels in the tank?
The discoloration in the mouth could be mouth rot, or some type of infection.  This happens if the temps are not optimal or if there has been an injury to the mouth or gum area.
What types of foods have you fed?  
Can you post a picture of your chameleon?


Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Tracie,
I'll try my absolute best to answer all of your questions.
i'm sorry but i don't know the difference between a flourescent light and a
compact/coil light.
i use a colored light
i don't use a thermometer so i dont know what to tell you
can the infection kill him or keep him from being able to open his mouth?
I've been feeding him small crickets[although he hasn't ben eating any lately]
I'm sorry the pictures r so blurry, but im also very deeply concerned because
of the fact that he won't open his eyes, and i think they might be sunken.also,
the black around the mouth doesn't show very much so just please try to do
your best. i apologize for the unclear pictures.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
RESPONDING AND FOR YOUR HELP!
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ANSWER: Hello Ayah,

Sorry but I cannot view those pictures they just wont come up.

The red light you are using for a basking light is not bright enough.  You will need to be using a regular household light bulb or a low wattage halogen flood or spot light for basking.  
They need a basking spot of around 95-100 or so, but, do NOT exceed 105 at ANY time.  The cooler area should be around 78-82 so he can thermoregulate.  The nighttime temps can be in the 70's.   

The humidity needs to be around 60-70%.  Do you have a drip system for the watering system?  They will not drink from standing or still water, it must be moving for them to drink.  I have a feeling he is extremely dehydrated & probably overheating as well.  

A flourescent tube light is a long tube that looks like this:

http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-rept

The Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb at the above link is the light that you need to get for him.  


A compact/coil light looks like this:

http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/510305/zoo-med-rept

The temperature for chameleons is extremely important for their health, & for their digestion.  They are very sensitive to overheating & if they get overheated they will get dehydrated & will die.  You absolultely need to get a digital probe thermometer or a temp gun.  Here are a couple of links so you can get a thermometer.  

http://www.reptileuv.com/reptileuv-mini-temperature-gun.php


http://www.petmountain.com/category/289/1/reptile-thermometers.html

Make sure that you get a digital probe that states it has a wire with a probe at the end.  The coral life & the zilla have that feature.  Do not get any stick on types of thermometers.  They are not accurate.

Being trying to rehydrate your chameleon.  Do you have any syringes without a needle?  If not you can get them from most drug stores.  You can start trying to get 2-4ml's of oral fluid into him 2 times per day right now.  Is he eating anything?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i couldn't afford an ultraviolet light, its too expensive, so i just take him out in
the sun. but i did take him to the vet and they took care of his mouth
infection, but they told me he was low on calcium and i need to start adding
calcium to his crickets. i have been. but the problem now is that he won't
open his eyes, and he doesn't have the strength to go eat, because of the fact
that he is low on calcium!! i am at a point where i have no hope and i don't
know what to do!!

Answer
Hello Ayah,

Hon, the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube is only $18 on pet mountain.  I cannot stress how critical UVB exposure is.  Without UVB he will not absorb his calcium properly & will die ultimately.
How long do you keep him out in direct sunlight for?
You are going to have to get someone to help you to hold him while you gently pry his mouth open & put food into his mouth.
Right now get some chicken or turkey babyfood & mix that with some squash babyfood along with a pinch of calcium.  Get either some plastic syringes or a plastic dropper to get food into him.  I would prefer you try to get the syringes because you can get more into him at one time.  
Try to get at least 4cc's or ml's of food into him daily, along with some fluids.  He will not make it if he does not get any nourishment.
You can get a swab, to tickle the side of his mouth, or you can gently press up alongside of his mouth & gumline & usually they will open their mouths enough to where you can squirt the food into him.Do you have someone to help with holding him?

Tracie