Cham can't open his eyes squinting help

Sarahloveshercham

New Member
im afraid my Cham has gotten sick I'm so upset. I don't know if I'll be able to afford a vet... his eyes won't open and he's aimlessly trying to reach things he can't see :( what can I do please help. He hasn't a 4 ft by 2ft repti breeze cage. 100 wat heat bulb and I just got a new uvb light because the other one broke. He went a few days without uvb so idk if that's what was caused this? I feed him crickets and dust them with vitamins. I spray his tank multiple times a day
 

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Post the form found in the health board it should be stickied to the beginning posts.

Otherwise from the picture I will tell you what to do now that may perk him up a bit. He looks dehydrated in skin and general plumpness. Not sure if eye turrets would count considering his eyes are the issue and I am not sure of what care you are giving yet and whether his eyes would be retracted because of it. Give him a shower. It should be warm all the way down to where the spray is hitting him and make sure to adjust the spray. Since he isn't opening his eyes at the moment, I would put him on a plant in it and direct the spray so it bounces off a close-by wall and hits where he is sitting with the bouncing spray. You should not leave him alone and monitor him while he is in there, adjust water to keep it the correct temp.
 
Post the form found in the health board it should be stickied to the beginning posts.

Otherwise from the picture I will tell you what to do now that may perk him up a bit. He looks dehydrated in skin and general plumpness. Not sure if eye turrets would count considering his eyes are the issue and I am not sure of what care you are giving yet and whether his eyes would be retracted because of it. Give him a shower. It should be warm all the way down to where the spray is hitting him and make sure to adjust the spray. Since he isn't opening his eyes at the moment, I would put him on a plant in it and direct the spray so it bounces off a close-by wall and hits where he is sitting with the bouncing spray. You should not leave him alone and monitor him while he is in there, adjust water to keep it the correct temp.
 
I've been keeping him in the bathroom with hot showers so the room steams up and that seems to help a bit. For the actual shower, would it be okay to use water that's not decholorinsted? I'm just worried he can't eat anything because he can't see:(
 
Tap water is fine unless your tap water is actually unsafe for people. Don't use actual hot water for him. He likely won't be able to eat. There are somethings you can do for a bit to help him along but try the shower first and fill out the form.
 
hi guys for a few days my Cham can barely open his eyes and now he can't eat or see :( he seems to be mindlessly trying to climb on things. I also notice he keeps scratching his eyes on branches.
He has a 4ft by 2ft reptibreeze.
His heat light is 100w and I just got him a new uvb light yesterday (he went a few days without one because it cracked, could this cause it?)
He eats crickets that are dusted
I've been placing him on a plant and turning hot showers on and keeping him in the bathroom so it's steamy and that seems to help a little bit.. idk what to do he can't see or eat I feel so bad. How can I help him, my BF suggested cod liver oil. Idk if I can take him to a vet any time soon. I adore my Cham and I really don't want to see him pass.. I'd be devestated. Somebody help
 

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I strongly agree with Kinyonga, but she said she may not be able to afford one. Honestly all that I am recommending are band aids and may help while you gather money. But he needs to be seen by a vet.
How much do you think it will cost? I'm a college student so money is tight
 
Depends on your vet and where you live, my exotic vet costs around 70 dollars for the first appointment, nothing for an eye flushing, and for a vitamin combo injection which is definitely something I would recommend it is like 20 or so dollars. But I know my vet is less expensive especially for the care she provides. I would also take a look at your current care because chameleons don't randomly do this. It is likely he either came with this or something you are currently doing has caused this.
 
Force him to drink! Open his mouth and slowly drip water in there if you have to but you must make him consume water. This is the exact condition my new guy was in when I got him. I literally got him to open his mouth and poured water from the cap of a bottle in the backseat of the car. He automatically started to come back. It's four days later and I'm to the point of slowly dripping the water through the top of the cage so it gently lands on his nose as he gracefully consumes for about 7 minutes straight. She's new and under stress but it is absolutely necessary you get her to consume water!
 
When giving a chamelen water by syringe or putting it into its mouth without it voluntarily taking it, people need to realize that it can end up in the lungs and kill the chameleon if not done properly.
 
This also is not likely related to a drinking issue. Drinking may be a slight issue, but I don't think it would continue unless whatever is actually ailing the chameleon is causing the issue too. If you shower a chameleon or mist it well enough even if it is blind they will drink unless too sick, it is an automatic and instinctive response to drink for chameleons once they feel water hitting them for long enough. I have a panther chameleon who is blind at the moment who drinks just fine.
 
hate to break it..but the inevitable end is near...regardless on how much u spent...:unsure:.. I hope ur cham recovers...
 
one thing i notice amongst CHAM..once they get problematic/sick/etc... thats it.. they die quick .:(..
 
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his face is becoming white and pale, unless thats how he was? are you washing your hands before and after you hold him? that could be it. i dont think its how your caring for him at all. maybe its to dry and his eyes arent getting enough water?

good luck on it
 
Many vet have care credit that you apply for when you go. It allows you to make payments with interest like a credit card. Call and ask if they use it and if you might qualify.
 
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