Chameleon Died day after laying 50 eggs

Socalcougar

Socalcougar

New Member
I am so sad, I had a Large Beautiful Female Veiled Chameleon approximately 7-8 months old that passed away suddenly after laying eggs.

I had gotten her in February 2017 as a tiny baby from a local pet shop. She was a very good eater and grew rapidly!! She had started a hunger strike the end of July. I was able to feed her some super worms by hand, and she would drink water out of a syringe about twice daily.
She also had a drip system available in her habitat. I had my husband and brother taking care of her while I had gone to visit my grandson for 2 weeks.
The day before I left she was obsessed with digging in the coconut fiber in bottom of screened home. About 4 days after I left she started laying eggs, 47 eggs one day, she went back to top of habitat that night but Wasn't interested in food at all. She did drink from syringe for my husband.
Next day my husband woke up to 3 more eggs and She was dead beside them.
I have been crying for a week now. What could have caused her sudden death?
Any ideas? Could she have had more eggs and eggbound?
The attached photo I took August 1st the night before I left.
 

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Welcome to the forums. Your girl was beautiful. I am so sorry that you lost her. If you ever get another it's best to grow them slow especially the females. Females have all kinds of problems from egg laying such as Coelomitis. My girl Sadie died from Coelmitis years back. You can read about Sadie here. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...-baby-needs-your-thoughts-and-prayers.114232/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadie-has-left-me-way-to-soon.114497/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadies-autopsy-results.114542/
 
It sounds like it could be some kind of reproductive issue that caused her death. Without an autopsy we can only guess.
So sorry for your loss. She was beautiful. It's not easy losing them and it's often not easy to figure out exactly what happened either.
If you answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum we can see if there's anything that might have needed improvement if you plan to get another one.
 
kinyonga said:
It sounds like it could be some kind of reproductive issue that caused her death. Without an autopsy we can only guess.
So sorry for your loss. She was beautiful. It's not easy losing them and it's often not easy to figure out exactly what happened either.
If you answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum we can see if there's anything that might have needed improvement if you plan to get another one.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply, Sydney did grow quickly that's for sure!, she was extremely attached to me especially because when I got her, I rescued her from petco. I walked past the Chameleon display and she caught my eye because out of 3 babies she looked the healthiest. Which to be honest, all 3 were ematiated. I had to try and give her a chance. I worked hard every day, hand feeding her and she would drink out of a syringe for me. I'll attach photos.
She loved climbing on my arm while cleaning her habitat. I am disabled & spend a lot of time working in the same room with her.
She would come to front of cage and put her head up high while staring at me. My cue to fill syringe with water and give her a drink.

NEW BABY
Anyway, I was having a very hard time with her gone. So I just purchased a tiny Veiled Chameleon yesterday from Petco. Still very little to sex, but "Rango" had the largest head and veil than other 2.
He was a clown, hanging upside down looking at me.

Today I fed him a mealworms and he drank water from syringe. But I am concerned because he isn't moving around he just stays on screen at top of cage and one of his eyes won't open completely. The other eye is now open more. Is this normal for a tiny baby Chameleon? Or should he be moving around looking for food more?
Please help, I do not want to have any health Issue's again. I feel that my girl I lost at least moved around and was eating actively for me.
Should I go back to petco?
 

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I hate eye closing issues. There are too many possibilities of what can be causing it.
It could be the lights...were his eyes open in the store? If so then you could try changing the lights.
It could be the difference in humidity from the store to your house. You could try gently misting him with a very fine mist and in a way that he doesn't get so much n his mouth that would end up in his lungs.
It could be something in it or an infection... or a number of other things.
I wish I could tell you what it is. I hope it's something simple to find.

I do have other comments though...I would not use mealworms very often...they have been said to cause impaction in some chameleons.
Although a baby chameleon could sit still part of the day it shouldn't have its eyes shut and should be fairly active.

I certainly would like to see things go better for you this time!
 
Hi, well Thursday I decided to bring the tiny Chameleon back into Petco, He was so tiny, and did not want to keep eyes open, I tried warm wet q-tip on his eyes, but it was just very obvious how weak he was! I definitely did not want to go through anymore heart ache!
Petco refunded my money, but were taking him to a veterinarian to get him checked out. Then depending on outcome I could get him back if he made it. Well petco called me at noon today and He did not survive. I am so upset that pet shops take on such young Chameleons to sell. Especially if selling to a inexperienced Reptile owner. I knew that when Sydney was tiny she was very active and a eating machine!!
At least I was able to get him to drink water from syringe and I snuck a tiny worm in his mouth and he ate it. But he just didn't move around on his own, and of course eyes closed not a good sign.

So once again I have to look at a empty beautiful Chameleon Home that is waiting for its new resident. I'm just going to take my time, and find a nice healthy male veiled Cham. That wants to be spoiled and live like a prince.

Thank you very much for all your shared ideas and knowledge
 
Socalcougar said:
Hi, well Thursday I decided to bring the tiny Chameleon back into Petco, He was so tiny, and did not want to keep eyes open, I tried warm wet q-tip on his eyes, but it was just very obvious how weak he was! I definitely did not want to go through anymore heart ache!
Petco refunded my money, but were taking him to a veterinarian to get him checked out. Then depending on outcome I could get him back if he made it. Well petco called me at noon today and He did not survive. I am so upset that pet shops take on such young Chameleons to sell. Especially if selling to a inexperienced Reptile owner. I knew that when Sydney was tiny she was very active and a eating machine!!
At least I was able to get him to drink water from syringe and I snuck a tiny worm in his mouth and he ate it. But he just didn't move around on his own, and of course eyes closed not a good sign.

So once again I have to look at a empty beautiful Chameleon Home that is waiting for its new resident. I'm just going to take my time, and find a nice healthy male veiled Cham. That wants to be spoiled and live like a prince.

Thank you very much for all your shared ideas and knowledge
Click to expand...
I'm so sorry that you have had your heart broken - I agree with your statement about Petco. Have you considered reaching out to a breeder on this forum for your next one?
 
jannb said:
Welcome to the forums. Your girl was beautiful. I am so sorry that you lost her. If you ever get another it's best to grow them slow especially the females. Females have all kinds of problems from egg laying such as Coelomitis. My girl Sadie died from Coelmitis years back. You can read about Sadie here. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...-baby-needs-your-thoughts-and-prayers.114232/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadie-has-left-me-way-to-soon.114497/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadies-autopsy-results.114542/
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response! Sydney was my first Chameleon, I had wanted one for a long time!, I have had many other reptiles and exotic pets growing up. I have always been the type of person who reads and asks as many questions as I would think of before I would bring home a pet. With my girl Sydney, I saw this tiny emaciated
Dave Bolamperti said:
Veilds are great Chams
Sorry for your loss
Click to expand...
thank you, yes I am definitely a Chameleon lover for sure! I am getting another veiled when I can find a healthy male!!! With everything I've read and heard about females and egg laying, I feel awful that a poor girl would have to go through all that ! Especially how often they could.
 
opheliaeatsbugs said:
I'm so sorry that you have had your heart broken - I agree with your statement about Petco. Have you considered reaching out to a breeder on this forum for your next one?
Click to expand...

Yes I have thought about finding a lil boy on here, but honestly I'm new on here, and I haven't figured out where to look. I tried a search and all I got was posts that were 4 + years old. Any ideas? I see your here in So. cal. Also
 
Socalcougar said:
Yes I have thought about finding a lil boy on here, but honestly I'm new on here, and I haven't figured out where to look. I tried a search and all I got was posts that were 4 + years old. Any ideas? I see your here in So. cal. Also
Click to expand...
I have heard very good things about @Matt Vanilla Gorilla and if (probably when) I'm ready for a second cham, he will be the first person I reach out to. I'm not trying to talk you out of a juvenile, but an established (older) cham might be a good place to start, especially if you are new. Just my 2 cents :) I guess I wouldn't immediately discount an older cham, they might be worth looking into. Unless you are set on a baby! I'm in Torrance, where are you, if you don't mind saying :)
 
jannb said:
Welcome to the forums. Your girl was beautiful. I am so sorry that you lost her. If you ever get another it's best to grow them slow especially the females. Females have all kinds of problems from egg laying such as Coelomitis. My girl Sadie died from Coelmitis years back. You can read about Sadie here. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...-baby-needs-your-thoughts-and-prayers.114232/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadie-has-left-me-way-to-soon.114497/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sadies-autopsy-results.114542/
Click to expand...

Could you explain what exactly you mean by grow them slow? I was definitely guilty of letting her be a little piggy. But if that was not healthy for her I feel terrible. Everything I had read said let juveniles eat what they will. I did supplement with Kale which she really enjoyed.
 
opheliaeatsbugs said:
I have heard very good things about @Matt Vanilla Gorilla and if (probably when) I'm ready for a second cham, he will be the first person I reach out to. I'm not trying to talk you out of a juvenile, but an established (older) cham might be a good place to start, especially if you are new. Just my 2 cents :) I guess I wouldn't immediately discount an older cham, they might be worth looking into. Unless you are set on a baby! I'm in Torrance, where are you, if you don't mind saying :)
Click to expand...
@Matt Vanilla Gorilla do's not breed veiled chameleon. He breeds panthers , if your looking for a panther he's your man !!. @jannb i would check in with for veiled .
 
opheliaeatsbugs said:
I have heard very good things about @Matt Vanilla Gorilla and if (probably when) I'm ready for a second cham, he will be the first person I reach out to. I'm not trying to talk you out of a juvenile, but an established (older) cham might be a good place to start, especially if you are new. Just my 2 cents :) I guess I wouldn't immediately discount an older cham, they might be worth looking into. Unless you are set on a baby! I'm in Torrance, where are you, if you don't mind saying :)
Click to expand...

I live in Hemet, moved here from Vista about a year ago. I really miss Vista!, I hadn't really thought of getting a older Cham. I really love the idea of raising from a baby. Especially since I can't work anymore and am home most of the time. I enjoy my babies. I have two Yorkies that are service & Emotional support dogs, and I have a beautiful Reef Tank. Sydney was always right beside me in her screen home. She would come right up to the closest corner to me and watch what ever I was doing. She actually learned that if she lifted her head and open her mouth slightly that I would go right to her with a syringe of fresh water, instead of getting a drink from her dripper.
 
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