Cham with broken back?

[ferretinmyshoes]

As a veterinarian I can't tell you it's not true. When my tortoise is in hibernation (in 40 degree weather just like in a refrigerator) he is still capable of waking up and moving around a little when I poke or move him. He's too cold to want to do that but he's certainly not unconscious and he's not oblivious to a gentle poke. In that situation if I were to cause him pain, I promise you he would feel it. He may not be able to do much about it, but he would feel it. The fridge is not humane.

 

[ScalesTailsandClaws]

As a veterinarian I can't tell you it's not true. When my tortoise is in hibernation (in 40 degree weather just like in a refrigerator) he is still capable of waking up and moving around a little when I poke or move him. He's too cold to want to do that but he's certainly not unconscious and he's not oblivious to a gentle poke. In that situation if I were to cause him pain, I promise you he would feel it. He may not be able to do much about it, but he would feel it. The fridge is not humane.

I was unaware of this. Would this work differently for different species though? I know many tortoises can withstand colder temperatures than most snakes.
I have agreed with you since the beginning that the fridge/freezer is not humane, I was just under the impression that the fridge FIRST is better. Thanks for enlightening me.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I was unaware of this. Would this work differently for different species though? I know many tortoises can withstand colder temperatures than most snakes.

I doubt that it would be any different. Snakes in my area with those temps survive every winter also, so they can withstand 40's and 30's (like in the fridge) too. We have lots of species of snakes and they all come back every spring when it warms up so it can't affect them much more. This is true of snakes in more northern states where it even gets much colder. They may not be able to move as much as some others maybe, but I bet their faculties are there nonetheless. To think they can't feel pain when they're cold has been proven wrong.

Like I said, I only brought this up because it is a common misconception that freezing is an acceptable method of euthanasia, and for the animal's sakes I want it known that it is actually not.

 

[ScalesTailsandClaws]

Is there any way to make this a sticky thread? This should be made a shout-out to all forum users.

 

[ataraxia]

Take your animal to the vet to be put down period.

Taking a animal out by blunt force in my opinion should only be done in a absolute last resort case. Not doing it right the first or second time or even doing it right and not being able to perform the task could cause pain. It is also not a pretty site if this happens and honestly it isnt in any case.

Freezing method is flat out inhumane. Almost like being suffocated. You will be able to witness your own prolonged death. Just something to think about....

 

[DanSB]

I'm really interested in hearing anything more about the back deformity...

As for home euthanasia whatever you do it needs to be fast, deliberate, and catastrophic. It will make a mess... just go to a vet if you're not a farmer or hunter and are used to killing things and have a strong stomach.

 

[Solid Snake]

yes, ill post a picture of chameron soon im developing some pictures with him in it. Is it possible that is MD?

Do you mean MBD?

Does it look at all like this?

https://www.chameleonforums.com/what-mbd-looks-like-38000/

 

[Seeco]

Well, I'm not about to crush my tortured animals skull.

Instead torture it some more by making it hurt everywhere while it is immobilized before it dies slowly? I'm sure that's not what you want. You are already trying to do a good thing by ending its pain, which I respect you for. But a lot of people don't know the freezer is not a good way to do it. That's why I mention it. It's not for your sake I offer this, it for the animal's sake. Here are the guidelines if you want to read up on other methods that you might have available that would be more appropriate.

You need to either man up or pay the money for a vet to do it. That is one of the fundamental responsibilities of being a animal keeper -- anything from chameleons to farming livestock.

Put it in a plastic bag first so all you can see is its outline. and be swift and brutal.

EDIT ---- THE CHAM IN QUESTION IN THIS THREAD SOUNDS FINE SO DON'T KILL HIM!!!

 

[Elizadolots]

Would it be possible for this thread to be split? It's unfair to the OP to have his thread derailed, but the discussion about humane euthanasia is worthwhile and deserves to be saved.

 

[ataraxia]

^ that is true...I did reply to the derailed side.

 

[tkilgour]

Take your animal to the vet to be put down period.

Taking a animal out by blunt force in my opinion should only be done in a absolute last resort case. Not doing it right the first or second time or even doing it right and not being able to perform the task could cause pain. It is also not a pretty site if this happens and honestly it isnt in any case.

Freezing method is flat out inhumane. Almost like being suffocated. You will be able to witness your own prolonged death. Just something to think about....

Euthanasia is a taboo subject. None of us want to do it. I took my rescue to the vet over a half a dozen times and had numerous x-rays. The vet just kept saying to give him liquid calcium and keep your fingers crossed. They said I can pay them to put it in the freezer or do it myself. I tried for a year to heal my rescue cham w/ a broken back and 3 broken legs. The previous owner was a child and his mother took the animal and gave it to me to try and save. However, nothing worked. At least I tried, and tried very hard! However, I appreciate all the other helpful methods offered. Hopefully, the OP's cham isn't in the kind of shape as my rescue was. Please don't hate me....I tried everything to save this chameleon, it saddens me to this day. He would have been a gorgeous chameleon. Also, he is buried in my back yard with a head stone. Poor guy, I hope he lives a nice life in chameleon heaven.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Would it be possible for this thread to be split? It's unfair to the OP to have his thread derailed, but the discussion about humane euthanasia is worthwhile and deserves to be saved.

Agreed - though there are several other (better) threads about euthanasia already on the forum