I have looked up everything I can find on blind chameleons, and I did the tests that were recommended to see if he actually is blind. I know for sure that he is blind in one eye, but I'm not positive about the other. He has been clinging to the mesh top of the enclosure almost 2 days, and is not roaming around the enclosure. When he first got here on wednesday, he roamed a little bit, but he stuck his arms out in front of himself to feel his way around, and would reach for things that weren't there. I figured he was just adjusting to the light, as he had been in a dark box to be shipped, but he didn't get any better. Everything I read talked about force feeding blind chams, because they can't hunt obviously. My fear though is that I know how fragile pygmies are and I'm not sure if they can withstand being force fed. Has anyone ever tried to force feed their pygmy? I would be more than happy to do this for him, but I am afraid of making things worse for him, by stressing him out. Any suggestions?
blind pygmy
- Thread starter emmys824
- Start date
Kate
Avid Member
Did you buy him like that?
little leaf
Avid Member
I fear I am headed in the same direction with a Garceful - I KNOW she is already blind in one eye - she lost it to an infection - but now she wont open her good eye for the 2nd day - and keeps rubbing it on everything - my reg vet is out of town, I am going to have to find another one, she wont be back for 5 days yet - I came across this because I was looking for info on blind Chams - I also am wondering about force feeding, as she has tried to eat- almost seems like she is listening for the crix, and does strike out for them - but misses every time - i did not find a "test" - can you let me know where you found your info
thanks
thanks
What kind of light do you have over your pygmy? I use older 5.0 bulbs and that's it. If you're using a new bulb or multiple bulbs then I would try to either turn them off completely or put a more gentle bulb over him to see if that helps. Is he keeping its eyes closed?
I honestly don't know how a pyg would tolerate force feeding. They're easily stressed by any handling at all but it would be worth a shot to try because otherwise he's going to starve. You'll have to be careful you don't give too much because they're so small.
I honestly don't know how a pyg would tolerate force feeding. They're easily stressed by any handling at all but it would be worth a shot to try because otherwise he's going to starve. You'll have to be careful you don't give too much because they're so small.
the tests I found were on here and very simple... someone mentioned taking a flashlight and seeing if there is a reflection in the chams eyes, another person suggested moving your hand slowly toward them on both sides, and test their reaction. My cham has no reaction to one side and only what seems to be a slight reaction on the other.
I use a 2.0 UVB bulb for them.... his eyes are open, but one of them looks kind of hollow like maybe he was injured?
I use a 2.0 UVB bulb for them.... his eyes are open, but one of them looks kind of hollow like maybe he was injured?
I would not shine a flashlight into a chameleon's eye and don't understand how that would test for blindness anyhow. As for the chameleon reacting to your moving hand, pygs react to disturbances by acting like a dead leaf....not moving...so that might not work as a test either as I have seen several doing this and the eyes don't seem to move either when the are in that state.
With other chameleons if you touch an insect to their lips they will often ooen the mouth and eat rather than trying to force its mouth open....or when it's drinking put the insect between its teeth. If it's truly blind and hungry because it can't hunt it should take the insect. This way you don't have to hold the chameleon and it might not go into a state of acting like a dead leaf.
With other chameleons if you touch an insect to their lips they will often ooen the mouth and eat rather than trying to force its mouth open....or when it's drinking put the insect between its teeth. If it's truly blind and hungry because it can't hunt it should take the insect. This way you don't have to hold the chameleon and it might not go into a state of acting like a dead leaf.
