Chameleon fell, please help!!!!!

[Chamillionaire01]

My boyfriend has a 8 month old male veiled chameleon. He is in great health and was doing great up until today. His brother took him out and dropped him into hardwood floor from about 3-4 feet high. He has been laying on the bottom of the tank since and breathing heavy. We have tried to put him on his log but he doesn't grab onto them he just falls off of it. He hisses and bites when ever you stick your hand in there and won't go after crickets. We will take him to the vet first thing in the morning but is there anything we could do to keep him comfortable untel the morning? He has his front legs stretched straight out so I think it is the front ones that are hurt (hopefully nothing too serious). I'm trying to stay optimistic but he doesn't look good at all.

Is it even possible to fix broken legs in a chameleon? Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums and I'm sorry to hear about your chameleon. I would recommend getting him to the vets as soon as possible and yes broke legs can be fixed if that's what it is. In the mean time please fill out this form and post some pictures.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[squiggles13]

If he's breathing heavy, he could've cracked a rib or bruised them. i certainly hope it's nothing severe. I think they can put straight little tubes on their legs to help them heal properly. [and by no means am i an expert]

hope everything turns out ok

 

[Sticktongue]

I was thinking the lines of broken or bruised ribs as well. I don't think their is much you can do besides what you mentioned, vet in the morning

 

[Chamillionaire01]

Thank you for the replies! Bruised ribs is a good point! I didn't think of that! We are keeping a close eye on him, he is progressively getting worse so I am praying he lasts until we can get him to a vet in the morning!

This may be a silly question but would it have to be a "reptile special" vet, the closest one is a few hours away, or will any vet be able to help with either cracked ribs or broken legs?

 

[Carlton]

Thank you for the replies! Bruised ribs is a good point! I didn't think of that! We are keeping a close eye on him, he is progressively getting worse so I am praying he lasts until we can get him to a vet in the morning!

This may be a silly question but would it have to be a "reptile special" vet, the closest one is a few hours away, or will any vet be able to help with either cracked ribs or broken legs?

You should use a reptile specialist for this. Cham ribs are not the same as mammalian ribs, you'll need someone who knows what a normal ribcage should look like, you'll want them to check for signs of metabolic bone disease, and to diagnose any internal injuries too.

 

[melmelion]

im sad to say my cham has been dropped befor too.... iv got really little sisters that always get a little too hansy with my senegal cham and then plop! she ended up on the floor from a 2 -1 foot drop. she was fine but i got a little too nervus but still... if i were you id keep a really close eye on the little guy and try and get him to drink a little bit.

 

[lovepicasso]

I am sorry to hear this, I pray that baby will be OK and can be treated if need be.

 

[chameleonowner32]

Rex has taken a couple 2-3 foot drops. He doesn't realize how heavy he is and then slides of something. He fell of his cricket tub this morning onto carpet. Which is the only thing he has fell onto. He climbs on wood or plastic then slides off.

 

[WarmGreenandSlimey]

ive dropped my chameleon on the concrete accidentally once, how did he land?