Hi all. Ok, I could really use some ideas...I'm more of an iguana person so I'm feeling a bit lost right now. Here's the situation: About 2 1/2 weeks ago my mother dropped by my apartment and brought me this tiny little anole...she'd gone into a pet store she hadn't been in before (the place was a dump), but she really felt bad for this little guy and couldn't stand to leave him. So, now it's me, Tito my iguana, and this baby anole. So, I did some basic reading and got him setup, here's his setup right now: 15 gallon tank, day heat bulb w/ hood (day temps: 92 basking, 78 cool end, overall gradient around 81), UVB fluorescent strip light, night heat bulb w/ hood (night temp: about 70). Interior setup: reptile carpet, several clean branches with fake reptile leaves (so he can hide), and his water bowl with a little dripper mechanism I rigged up for it. As far as food, I've been feeding him pinhead crickets with a few baby waxworms (he's slightly on the skinny side, so I threw those in for a little extra fat).

Before you read on, let me mention now that I do have a good herp vet who I've been taking my ig to for almost 4 years and Cadeyrn, the anole, has an appointment with him first thing in the morning. Ok, to the problem: Up until three days ago, he was alert, energetic, bright green, and had a ravenous appetite. Then around three days ago, he started slowing down and displaying some wierd overt signs and behaviors. Whatever this is hit him hard and fast. Here is what he's like now: he's pretty much brown, lethargic, has not eaten since yesterday morning, sleeps a lot, and he's a bit puffy around his eyes. Also, about 2 days ago he started occasionally having these odd little twitches in his neck...it almost looks like head bob, but you can tell it's not deliberate. All of these changes were very quick, and there were never any incidents or anything that would coincide with this.

So...Cadeyrn will be seeing the vet tomorrow but I had some free time tonight and I wanted to share this with the forum and see if anyone had some ideas for me. I'm really worried about him and I would feel better if I could just get a little feedback tonight rather than just sitting here watching him look so ill. Please, if you have any ideas drop me post. Thanks!

Hi there. First off, what kind of anole is it? I'm assuming green. Care-wise, it doesn't realy matter, but I was just curious. Anyway, your setup sounds pretty good, but a little hot. I'd see if you can get the temp down to about 70 at the cooler end. Now, yoyur lids and lights, what type of lid is it? You mentioned a lot f stuff there, but is it a screen lid? If not, it needs to be. You say he's getting puffy around the eyes. Now, are the eyes getting sunk in or just getting fat or what? If they're sunk in, he's probably dehydrated. One thing you should do, regardless of whether or nopt he's dehydrated, is mist the cage at least once a day with dechlorinated water.

Diet sounds pretty good. How big is Cadeyrn? The crickets you're feeding seem a bit small, unless he's a hatchling. The crickets should be about as long as the distance between Cadeyrn's eyes. Are you using good calcium and vitamin supplements? Ok, as for his condition, I'm suspecting a possibe parasite infestation. Most anoles are WC and the stresses of pet store life will often cause the parasites they carry to take over after the anole is too weak. Hopefully your vet can give you something for him. The only thing I can suggest to you other than the vet is a screen lid, which will allow for ventillation and UVB light can enter the cage (if you don't have a screen lid yet). Electrolytes will also help give him energy and stay hydrated. If you can get some Reptisafe, it will give you the electrolytes, and dechlorinate the water for you, since you need dechlorinated water anyway.

Oh, and about the twitching. Now, is his head moving up and down when it happens? Keep in mind that anoles have a sharp motioned headbob compared to an iguana. However, it could be something's wrong with him too. It could possibly be the first signs of a calcium deficiency. He needs a phosphorous-free cacium supplement every other feeding and a good UVB light and a screen lid to actually get enough calcium in his diet. However, if it is calcium, it would be something that he's been developing for a long time in the pet store. It takes a long time.

Hope this helps. Let us all know how he's doing! Hope the vet can help too. Do you know if Cadeyrn's a male or a female yet?

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