Veiled Chameleon not eating

Question
Dear Tina,

I purchased a chameleon from Petco about a 5 weeks ago.  I bought all of the supplies needed, except that the Petco guy didn't say I needed a UVB light.  So, for a month, our chameleon went without one, and he seemed fine, until he began sleeping during the day.  He stopped eating and so we went back to Petco and spoke to another Petco worker who said that we absolutely needed one, and of course, we bought one right away.  He seemed to perk up almost within a day or so, with no sleeping during the day.  The 2nd day, he ate one mealworm.  The 3rd day after having the uvb light, he ate 2 mealworms.  But that was it, the next time we tried to feed him, his toungue would not stick to them.  (Another mistake I am finding out about was that Petco discouraged us from buying crickets because they said that the crickets  might  bite them on the eyes, and cause an infection, as they had a friend this had happened to.  So, we stuck to worms.)  When we first got him, he would eat up to at least 10 little mealworms per eating session.  But now, he is not eating at all.  

I took him to the vet yesterday, and explained everything, and she tube fed him ad/feline cat food, and said he looked dehydrated.  She didn't offer an explanation or diagnosis, but gave me a print out on ideal housing, lighting, feeding, and guidelines to help him.  She prescribed baytril, one time per day, (a liquid antibiotic) and an ointment for his eyes, (he was rubbing his right eye on the wall of his cage also) and told me to try to hand feed him if necessary.  I immediately went home with him and cleaned out his cage, got rid of the water and soil substrate, and tried to create the perfect environment based on the guidelines she gave.  However, a day later, he is not better.  In fact, he seems a bit worse.  He is sneezing, not eating or drinking (that I can see) and he does not look happy.  I've held worms and crickets in front of his mouth, and he is not interested at all.   He is just sitting on his branch under the basking light, and opens his mouth often to breathe.  He was very congested at the vet's office, and is still now too.  

Help!  A new pet idea, has turned into a sad situation for my children, and we are trying everything we can think of to save this little guy.  Please tell us what you think we should do.  (Not to mention the costs...$300 to set everything up, $100 in supplies, food, etc... and now $250 at the vet.)  This is not what I was expecting at all.  I know I should have done more research before I bought her.  (I think its a her, we (the vet and I) can't find any bumps under the legs, etc...)  

Does it sound like MBD?  Should I continue trying to feed the rest of the cat food with a little syringe, or??  If he is seriously sick, how long will he live?  Is his disease curable?  Help!

As far as symptoms, lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, open mouth, sneezing, congestion, rubbing eye (right one) on cage.
Housing is a combination of mesh and glass cage with opening front doors.  His floor is clean now, with nothing on it.  He has climbing wood and a real plant to cllimb on.  He has a little ladder and his food bowl.  We mist him several times per day, and his temperatures during the day are between 70-95F and he has both a uvb and a basking light, which are both turned off at night and the red bulb given at nite.  We purchased a Reptifogger terrarium humidifier to keep the humidity in the perfect range.  

I hope that I have given you enough information so that you can help me to help my chameleon.  We call him Cam.  

Thanks,

Deirdre

Answer
Deidre,    I hate that these stores carry these. They are far from a novice reptile. They are extremely shy. I have 1 of them and learned quickly if you have them in glass to cover all three sides with background. Even their own shadows threaten them. Crickets is what I feed mine. They do not need a food bowl have you seen that tongue shoot out.....lol They don't like standing water.I know exactly what cage they sold you for him. Cam can degrade very quickly. Take your vet bill to petco and make them pay it. Actually, their policy is if their animal has been bought before a month they will take it to the vet themselves. They like to be high. They do not like standing water. They are more of a drip drinker. The fact that its been five weeks doesn't matter. They should not sell a reptile that they do not know about. Especially this delicate.Depending on his or her age you will not see the femoral pores on the legs. They are not a handleable reptile. After they know you a little won't hurt it. MBD (metabolic bone disease)is not from diet as much as lighting. Cam should have had UVB on him from the start. The reason for this is because when you take them out of their natural habitat you have to replace his natural surroundings as close as possible. MBD is caused from a lack of calcium. It makes their bones very fragile. The UVB light gives off the ultra violet lighting that causes Cam's body to create D-3 which turns to calcium. So does your UVA but, not as efficiently. He sounds extremely stressed. I hate to say this but, I don't think Cam will make it. I am SO SORRY!!!!!! Yes in the meantime feed him the catfood. I am telling you take them bills to the store. Tell them I know their policies and they can not sell you an animal they do not know how to care for themselves. Especially a UVB light. All reptiles need them. IDIOTS!!!!!Especially yours. You did nothing wrong!!!!!!!You can copy this and take it to them if you want. Most vets don't even deal with these type of chameleons. I'm glad you found one that does. They need to pay for it. The problem started before that 30 day contract you signed ended. There is really no advice I can give you for him. Except mist the tank close to him so he can drink the droplets a couple times a day and pray. Let me know how things go Deirdre. This is definitely their mistake not yours., Tina