Chameleon sick..Weak,eyes,shut,not moving during day or eating!!!

[Carlton]

A $70 cham vet visit? That's NOTHING! I do sympathize about the drive, but to get to someone with herp experience it's a common problem. Best to take that in to account before you decide to take on an exotic. Believe me, it could be worse...I have to get on a plane or ship my sick cham or lab samples someplace by air to get analyses.

The vet visit was reasonable IMHO and the vet didn't do much unnecessary (well, maybe the washing...that was a bit odd). If this vet knew anything about his medical history previously maybe he wouldn't have tried to cover some of the basics (like the parasite check or overall exam).

Based on your initial description of his symptoms and behavior I think this was a "very serious or advanced" case that called for a vet. Even if just for the Baytril which you can't get on your own.

I know this is a new situation for you, but its always best to line up a vet before your cham needs it and know just what the visit will require (like gas, time, etc). Get some baseline health info on the record so you've got something to compare to when he does get sick. The vet is more likely to cut you a break because you are an established patient too.

 

[Kath44]

I hear you and apologise if I got the wrong end of the stick.
Kath.

 

[theelements91]

and the chameleon i refered to possibly adopting is an adult in perfect health that doesnt need any kind of special attention. and i produce my own crickets and meal worms so apart from his cage and lighting it when not be a big enough expense to not get. And just like u said i am not gettin it now because i used so much on the vet visit which was intended for him and that would be a bad decision to get him and try to make him wait till i have the proper environment even if its a short time which is why i said im not getting him. Its not that im completely broke broke or anything but i started new business amongst my 10 reptiles 8 horses and 3 dogs i like to budget everything. if i wanted to buy him i could but im trying to do the responsible thing by not committing to him with out the equipment even though thats going to happen in kids home he is going to anyways

 

[theelements91]

If yall read it it was not a 70 bill thats just the charges i felt were unjustified which is what upsets me. And aslo said my girlfriend works at a vet that doesnt handle reptiles but can still get baytril. And the vet said the mbd was not serious at all and was very early and that the respiratory was further along and most likely did begin because of being so cold during the week long power outtage i had but that it was still not very severe. Ive dealt with respiratory infections in many reptiles before but didnt notice with this guy because i was distracted by th mbd so i do appreciate yall point that out for me

A $70 cham vet visit? That's NOTHING! It was quite reasonable IMHO and the vet didn't do anything unnecessary. If this vet knew anything about his medical history previously he wouldn't have tried to cover some of the basics (like the parasite check or overall exam).

Based on your initial description of his symptoms and behavior I think this was a "serious or advanced" case that called for a vet. Even if just for the Baytril which you can't get on your own.

I know this is a new situation for you, but its always best to line up a vet before your cham needs it. Get some baseline health info on the record so you've got something to compare to when he does get sick. The vet is more likely to cut you a break because you are an established patient too.

 

[theelements91]

the bill came out to 225 which is not what i discussed on the phone with them before i made the trip. it is double what they said bluss the diesel fuel for 5 hours of driving.I didnt like the way the vet handled things because i budgeted for what i wanted done and what i discussed with them.Its nothing to do with the chameleo i obviously care and am doing my best to care for chameleon but am unhappy the way the vet went about all these extra services and items i did not want and then jacking the bill up whether its 70 more than i wanted to pay or 500 more than i wanted pay.IF they had discussed these extra charges and services ahead of time and let me choose i would be much happier but i think they handled it wrong so It was not a pleasant experience in my book.

 

[carol5208]

Just a thought here...keep in mind even if you get a healthy animal, and still do everything right, it can still get sick. So if money is tight, I would not get another one. Some of the best keepers on here with years of experience have chameleons that die and get sick. Also, I am curious how your vet did a fecal? From what I read, you did not bring in a stool sample, correct? I have never heard of getting a sample like they do with a dog and go up their butt. Is that what he did?

 

[theelements91]

I hear you and apologise if I got the wrong end of the stick.
Kath.

thank you and i wasnt trying to say the chameleon wasnt worth it i very much care for the chameleon.. i was saying that i feel some of the services rendered werent worth it like the imporper fecal,etc

 

[theelements91]

Just a thought here...keep in mind even if you get a healthy animal, and still do everything right, it can still get sick. So if money is tight, I would not get another one. Some of the best keepers on here with years of experience have chameleons that die and get sick. Also, I am curious how your vet did a fecal? From what I read, you did not bring in a stool sample, correct? I have never heard of getting a sample like they do with a dog and go up their butt. Is that what he did?

yes i know but in my monthly budget i anticipate things like that to a certain extent but like i said they told me one thing and did another so i was not ready for that. And i was more gonna foster it for a couple months because ididnt want the person they were giving it to have because he is very irrsonsible.

Correct i didnt bring one, he took a probe stuck it in the butt and a tiny urate cam out and some clear fluid he out it under microscope for a minute and that was it. he even said his self it wasnt a very good sample

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Yeah paying for extra things is the name of the game at the vets, thats the business. Like others said if you build a relationship with a vet and see them when something comes up, they are much more likely to cut you a break on stuff like that.

 

[Defianceofexistence]

I hope your little guy gets better soon.

Ummm Im kinda confused though....your say your thinking about fostering another chameleon to save it from being looked after by someone that isn't responsible, but from your original post it kinda seems like you already have a lot on your plate. Especially if your now having to deal with a sick cham

Since you forgot to replace your sick ones UVB and lapsed on misting him.....I am by no means trying to be mean but I think you might overwhelm yourself and end up with two sick chams.....just a thought

Take care

 

[theelements91]

i was considering it.And yes in the beginning there were a few poor decisions and is regrettable but were fixed right away and i did not put whole story in the original post entire story. he came to me with no uvb bulb because it brok at previous owners house. then i had no power for a week and had to order online and wait for it to be mailed(no petco or reptiles stores)..So was not at complete fault at my own.

And i think yall are missing the fact that that i said: " i am not gettin it now because i used so much on the vet visit which was intended for him and that would be a bad decision to get him and try to make him wait till i have the proper environment even if its a short time which is why i said im not getting him. Its not that im completely broke broke or anything but i started new business amongst my 10 reptiles 8 horses and 3 dogs i like to budget everything. if i wanted to buy him i could but im trying to do the responsible thing by not committing to him with out the equipment even though thats going to happen in kids home he is going to anyways "

And it was only gonna be for a couple months until i found new home and only if i had all the equipment upfront but since i did not i decided against. so if i had the equipment i dont see how him going to someone who has no clue about them and just thinks its cool looking better than having him in the a proper environment for couple months. Buts its besides the point because ive already said i am not.

So i know you arent trying to mean but maybe everyone should read everything that has been said before they all start saying how bad of idea it is when i have already made it clear that i agree!!

 

[Defianceofexistence]

My bad, its hard when your trying to answer all of our questions and comments....certain parts of your story get overlooked because there are like so many going on at once....

I missed the clarity that you weren't getting another cham because you had to spend so much at the vet.

So I am sorry and retract my comment before...I honestly wasn't trying to be mean....I know how frustrating it is to end up with "hidden" costs at the vet...they arnt always upfront with things, they just figure if you agree to it then you also agree to the cost that comes with it. I really hope that you are able to save your little guy...keep us updated

 

[theelements91]

My bad, its hard when your trying to answer all of our questions and comments....certain parts of your story get overlooked because there are like so many going on at once....

I missed the clarity that you weren't getting another cham because you had to spend so much at the vet.

So I am sorry and retract my comment before...I honestly wasn't trying to be mean....I know how frustrating it is to end up with "hidden" costs at the vet...they arnt always upfront with things, they just figure if you agree to it then you also agree to the cost that comes with it. I really hope that you are able to save your little guy...keep us updated

no problem i know there have been a bunch of posts on so hard to notice everything. i know it something that happens at vets(considering my girlfriend works at one) but doesnt mean its supposed to happen. A lot of the time the doctor doesnt know either and its the office manager or the people working the desk. My girlfriends is going to see if they can do what they do at her vet and see if they can credit us for some the poor fecal, the uncesesarry feeding and couple of the other things on the bill i disagree with it.

As for an update he has continued showing good signs since i started treating him last week. He now can open one eye all the way and keep open and ive almost got all of the goop out of his other eye.Slow process because of how small his eyes are have to be careful. Still holding his head up a little but not as much gaspin. He really enjoys his showers and is getting slightly easier to feed. Still reluctant but not as much. As far as the mbd it doesnt seem to be progressing at all since was caught in time and is able to climb and hold leaves fine.Hasnt fallen once since he developed it and it only seems to have really affected on leg and its very minor. Crossin fingers for the rest of respiratory infection to keep clearing up more

 

[carol5208]

I have never heard of probing a chameleon for a fecal...always been told you have to bring in a fecal sample. I will have to put a private message in to one of our vets on the forum here and ask if that is even acceptable. Don't want to down your vet, as maybe I am wrong here.

 

[Kath44]

I agree carol, I found that odd but I'm no vet.

At the end of the day, the Cham is getting what he now needs and that's what matters.
Gotta say, you must be mega rich, 8 horses. I have one, so I know what expense they can be. I'm in the uk, but I imagine it's still an expensive hobby.
Equine vets are real expensive here, but necessary.
Hope he continues to improve. Kath.

 

[theelements91]

Ya he didnt tell me to bring a fecal but had one ready anyways and forgot it right before i left .when he started doing it it seemed a bit odd and he was kinda rough with him at first but i assumed since he was the vet and he has over 40 years exp with reptiles so assumed he knew what he was doing. It would be nice to know if he was incorrect though in case any of my other reptiles need care in the future.

 

[KatiLemons]

I hope your little guy gets better soon.

Ummm Im kinda confused though....your say your thinking about fostering another chameleon to save it from being looked after by someone that isn't responsible, but from your original post it kinda seems like you already have a lot on your plate. Especially if your now having to deal with a sick cham

Since you forgot to replace your sick ones UVB and lapsed on misting him.....I am by no means trying to be mean but I think you might overwhelm yourself and end up with two sick chams.....just a thought

Take care

After reading this whole thread to get caught up on where I left off by advising you to take the poor thing to a vet. I am in COMPLETE agreeance with the last entry. If you would have just had the correct setup and your husbandry wasn't lacking (uvb bulb, misting, and proper ventilation) you never would have had the problem in the first place. I also agree that maybe you do have a little too much on your plate to be caring for another sick chameleon on top of the one the needs special attention in your care already.

 

[theelements91]

Not only in this qoute but many others i have already made it clear that i agree!![/QUOTE] If i hadnt spent as much as i did and could have afforded to have the proper set up before hand to foster for couple months max and i didnt say it was sick its completely healthy. I would have thought that you would have seen that if you indeed had read whole thread

i was considering it.And yes in the beginning there were a few poor decisions and is regrettable but were fixed right away and i did not put whole story in the original post entire story. he came to me with no uvb bulb because it brok at previous owners house. then i had no power for a week and had to order online and wait for it to be mailed(no petco or reptiles stores)..So was not at complete fault at my own.

And i think yall are missing the fact that that i said: " i am not gettin it now because i used so much on the vet visit which was intended for him and that would be a bad decision to get him and try to make him wait till i have the proper environment even if its a short time which is why i said im not getting him. Its not that im completely broke broke or anything but i started new business amongst my 10 reptiles 8 horses and 3 dogs i like to budget everything. if i wanted to buy him i could but im trying to do the responsible thing by not committing to him with out the equipment even though thats going to happen in kids home he is going to anyways "

And it was only gonna be for a couple months until i found new home and only if i had all the equipment upfront but since i did not i decided against. so if i had the equipment i dont see how him going to someone who has no clue about them and just thinks its cool looking better than having him in the a proper environment for couple months. Buts its besides the point because ive already said i am not.

So i know you arent trying to mean but maybe everyone should read everything that has been said before they all start saying how bad of idea it is when i have already made it clear that i agree!!