MrsM
Avid Member
Becca you were so careful to make everything perfect. This isn’t how it was supposed to go, I know we were all looking forward to years of happy photos and anecdotes. I’m wishing you healing and peace.
Coccidia... Help and cleaning advice. Please..
- Thread starter Beman
- Start date
Becca you were so careful to make everything perfect. This isn’t how it was supposed to go, I know we were all looking forward to years of happy photos and anecdotes. I’m wishing you healing and peace.
Thehippie
Chameleon Enthusiast
Oh becca I just took the time to read this thread, I know nothing about the bacteria so I decided to just watch from a far. I am so sorry that you lost him but I'm sure we're glad he isn't suffering anymore and is resting peacefully. I have to say what went on in this thread was quite the drama but i am sure we will all find a way to move past this. I hope you know you did your very best and that my and apollos thoughts and prayers are with you for your recovery. Im sorry your first encounter with a breeder is like this and is shouldn't have had to be this way. We will be here for you and hopfully you'll be able to take the time you need and recover and learn. Again, I am so so so sorry for your loss of sweet bahari. He'll forever be with us.
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think the Forums have been very fair with what has been allowed concerning this and what has not been allowed. I know these threads create a lot of extra work for you and Brad, especially you Michale.
I’d also like to say that with the exception of James(not bashing) and Myself, our members have been remarkably restrained with what they choose to post on this emotionally super-charged issue.
Your all exceptional people!
Lennoncham
Chameleon Enthusiast
I just read through all 12 pages of this thread and it was heartbreaking to read. I’m so very sorry you had to go through this Becca.
You have helped so many people in such a short time on theses forums I’m sure even the most experienced keepers have learned something from you on here. We are always here for you so sorry for your loss.
You have helped so many people in such a short time on theses forums I’m sure even the most experienced keepers have learned something from you on here. We are always here for you so sorry for your loss.
Chameleomom
Chameleon Enthusiast
Wow not being on here a few days....I missed a lot. I am so very sorry Becca to hear this news. Bahari may you have peace in the tree tops of heaven
Thank you everyone.... For all of your messages and kindness. I hope this thread will help others in the future that may deal with Coccidia. For those that know me I am all about learning and helping. I love being able to give feedback in threads and assist newbies in getting started on the right foot with their husbandry. This experience taught me a lot. I knew that sick chams were harder to care for but I never realized how hard. I knew that when a Chameleon took a turn for the worse they would go down hill quickly but it is entirely different experiencing it first hand. I learned how important quarantining a new chameleon is.
I want to stress to everyone coming here for help how important fecals are. That while there are parasites that are easy to get rid of Coccidia is not one of these. It is deadly and highly contagious to other chams.
My vet recommended fecals every 6 months for chameleons that are fed crickets due to the risk of them carrying coccidia. For those that do not feed them she recommends annual fecals to ensure a healthy cham.
I appreciate everyone making this thread about helping me work through this. For helping me try to get Bahari through this. I appreciate those that spoke up for me the last few days when I was not willing to do so for myself. While this experience has truly crushed my spirit I am just going to focus on taking care of Beman. I want to find my joy in this hobby again. I have 3 more fecals I have to get on Beman over the next 3 months, so if you can just put great thoughts out there for him getting through coccidia free that would be wonderful. I will just take care of my boy and live vicariously through everyone here and their beautiful panthers.
Much love to you all. I feel truly blessed and honored to be a part of this amazing community.
I want to stress to everyone coming here for help how important fecals are. That while there are parasites that are easy to get rid of Coccidia is not one of these. It is deadly and highly contagious to other chams.
My vet recommended fecals every 6 months for chameleons that are fed crickets due to the risk of them carrying coccidia. For those that do not feed them she recommends annual fecals to ensure a healthy cham.
I appreciate everyone making this thread about helping me work through this. For helping me try to get Bahari through this. I appreciate those that spoke up for me the last few days when I was not willing to do so for myself. While this experience has truly crushed my spirit I am just going to focus on taking care of Beman. I want to find my joy in this hobby again. I have 3 more fecals I have to get on Beman over the next 3 months, so if you can just put great thoughts out there for him getting through coccidia free that would be wonderful. I will just take care of my boy and live vicariously through everyone here and their beautiful panthers.
Much love to you all. I feel truly blessed and honored to be a part of this amazing community.
JoshD49
Chameleon Enthusiast
So for what its worth, this thread can serve as a lesson for many keepers new and old, experienced and novice. Before anyone thinks this is a cold response to a very sad and painful experience, please understand that I have asked Becca ( @Beman ) if she would like me to post this here first. She is still obviously upset at what has happened and I don't want to minimize how difficult it can be to go through this type of situation. I also want to commend this community for all the support you have shown her. I know how much that has meant to her.
Even though this blog entry has been featured for some time, I am not really sure how often people visit the blogs on the Forums. This only has 9,000 views as of the writing of this post and it is around since 2013.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/how-to-do-your-own-fecal-float-video.810/
First off thanks to @Dez at Chamalot Chameleons for making the video. Although she does say how this should not replace the care of a vet, it shows how a fecal float test is done and what you would need to be successful. It would likely cost about $200.00 or so for all the supplies, so for those who plan on fecal exams every 6 months or so it would pay for itself quickly to do them at home. If you find something concerning you can then be alerted that a vet appointment is necessary.
You can see some of the common parasites in her video. Both pinworms and coccidia are shown.
So some advice for all the keepers out there...
No matter what your experience level is, you should be aware of this threat of parasites. No matter how careful we are with our feeders and enclosures, the danger is real. Know the signs, but be aware that you can not always tell when an animal is infected. Chameleons are masters of hiding when things are wrong.
I advise that everyone gets a fecal test done for their animals immediately when you get them no matter what age they are. This can be challenging if they do not eat right away due to their move. Parasites can be present in both young and old. Wild caught animals will often be stressed by their ordeal, but captive raised ones also go through a considerable amount of stress when entering a new environment. This stress can easily compromise the immune defenses and parasites that are present already can thrive inside the host. By the time the animal shows the visible signs it could be too late. If none are present, great! You can have piece of mind that you are off to a good start. Periodically you can have a test done to continue knowing that your chameleon is still safe.
The unfortunate reality of keeping these amazing creatures is that eventually we have to let them go. This can have a different effect on each of us, but for me it is like losing one of my family. I don't get over it quickly and the pain is real. Becca has had a tremendous amount of support behind the scenes and here in this thread, and I thank you all for supporting her through this ordeal. She has been a terrific member here and in a short time has impacted many new keepers that come here seeking advice. Although this result was not as we all had hoped, her experience will likely help many to avoid the same outcome.
Even though this blog entry has been featured for some time, I am not really sure how often people visit the blogs on the Forums. This only has 9,000 views as of the writing of this post and it is around since 2013.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/how-to-do-your-own-fecal-float-video.810/
First off thanks to @Dez at Chamalot Chameleons for making the video. Although she does say how this should not replace the care of a vet, it shows how a fecal float test is done and what you would need to be successful. It would likely cost about $200.00 or so for all the supplies, so for those who plan on fecal exams every 6 months or so it would pay for itself quickly to do them at home. If you find something concerning you can then be alerted that a vet appointment is necessary.
You can see some of the common parasites in her video. Both pinworms and coccidia are shown.
So some advice for all the keepers out there...
No matter what your experience level is, you should be aware of this threat of parasites. No matter how careful we are with our feeders and enclosures, the danger is real. Know the signs, but be aware that you can not always tell when an animal is infected. Chameleons are masters of hiding when things are wrong.
I advise that everyone gets a fecal test done for their animals immediately when you get them no matter what age they are. This can be challenging if they do not eat right away due to their move. Parasites can be present in both young and old. Wild caught animals will often be stressed by their ordeal, but captive raised ones also go through a considerable amount of stress when entering a new environment. This stress can easily compromise the immune defenses and parasites that are present already can thrive inside the host. By the time the animal shows the visible signs it could be too late. If none are present, great! You can have piece of mind that you are off to a good start. Periodically you can have a test done to continue knowing that your chameleon is still safe.
The unfortunate reality of keeping these amazing creatures is that eventually we have to let them go. This can have a different effect on each of us, but for me it is like losing one of my family. I don't get over it quickly and the pain is real. Becca has had a tremendous amount of support behind the scenes and here in this thread, and I thank you all for supporting her through this ordeal. She has been a terrific member here and in a short time has impacted many new keepers that come here seeking advice. Although this result was not as we all had hoped, her experience will likely help many to avoid the same outcome.
It has been a few days. While I am trying to be upbeat and positive I feel like I am on an emotional roller coaster. One minute I am ok and dealing with everything the next in tears and full of anger. I know time heals all wounds but this is one moment in my life that I wish I could just fast forward. I feel paralyzed by fear… it is not over and the fear is what is taking hold. I have no relief.
I have been throwing everything possible away to ensure this does not continue. I don’t even care at this point about what I throw away… I don’t know what I accidentally exposed in the first 10 days. So if I am unsure it goes in the trash. All these material items can be replaced but Beman cannot. Nothing matters now except making sure Beman does not get this.
I am now a firm believer in quarantine of any new chams and in getting a fecal on all new little loves we bring into our home. A fecal can be done at any time and at any age.
I have been a single mother for 15 years. I am used to doing everything on my own. I have always believed that kindness costs me nothing. So I treat people with love and sincerity. I have never in my life experienced this kind of love from others… Until now… To absolutely everyone that has reached out or made comments of support… Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There really are no words to express how much it has meant to me.
To the breeders that offered me precious babies to try to help heal this wound. Your kindness and generosity did not go unnoticed. While I am in no way ready to move forward with another chameleon the fact that two different breeders would offer me free of charge their babies, when they in no way had anything to do with my situation. Well that is yet another example of the beauty and love we have in this forum.
I am so very thankful for all of you.
All my love,
Becca and Beman
RIP Bahari
I have been throwing everything possible away to ensure this does not continue. I don’t even care at this point about what I throw away… I don’t know what I accidentally exposed in the first 10 days. So if I am unsure it goes in the trash. All these material items can be replaced but Beman cannot. Nothing matters now except making sure Beman does not get this.
I am now a firm believer in quarantine of any new chams and in getting a fecal on all new little loves we bring into our home. A fecal can be done at any time and at any age.
I have been a single mother for 15 years. I am used to doing everything on my own. I have always believed that kindness costs me nothing. So I treat people with love and sincerity. I have never in my life experienced this kind of love from others… Until now… To absolutely everyone that has reached out or made comments of support… Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There really are no words to express how much it has meant to me.
To the breeders that offered me precious babies to try to help heal this wound. Your kindness and generosity did not go unnoticed. While I am in no way ready to move forward with another chameleon the fact that two different breeders would offer me free of charge their babies, when they in no way had anything to do with my situation. Well that is yet another example of the beauty and love we have in this forum.
I am so very thankful for all of you.
All my love,
Becca and Beman
RIP Bahari
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
Things will get better for you soon enough!
cham_urchin
Established Member
My condolences Becca. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you hun... I really appreciate it.
Asour89
Established Member
So very sorry for your loss. I know it has not been easy and no words can make up for a loss. I just hope that everything will eventually work itself out & get better with time. I am making vet appts for my Chams tomorrow from what I have learned here. I think this horrible experience can be a big learning experience for many people! My condolences.
Thank you hun. I really appreciate it. A fecal is really easy to get done. See if your vet will run one without having to stress out your chams by bringing them in too.
Thank you hun. It was pretty horrific. I just hope others will learn from this thread in the future should they have to deal with Coccidia. It is a horrible nightmare of a parasite. I am doing better today. Trying to just focus on each day and move past what happened. It definitely gave me a new outlook and perspective on health issues with chams.
My vet does not want me to bring in Beman's fecal again until Monday because she wants a full 30 days between initial exposure. I was pre mature with the fecal I just had done but at least it gave me temporary peace of mind. So a few more months and fingers crossed he will stay clear.
So I am going to continue to add here the testing of Beman over the next two months. Since it will be valuable for those that may read this thread looking for help that do have other chams to consider.
I spoke to my Vet this morning. She is going to have me go ahead and take a fecal in for Beman today since tomorrow it will be 1 month from when I had gotten my little love Bahari. She said that we may get the results by Friday otherwise it would be Monday. They send out all fecals to a lab to be tested thoroughly.
Beman is acting like himself in every way. Eating like a pig... A little chunky but I am waiting on putting him on a diet until I know he is totally clear of this. He is very active and alert. While this does not mean much since low numbers of coccidia can present without side effects. I am hopeful since the fecal the week before last was still negative for coccidia.
I will do an update when I get the results. If everyone that has followed along can just send good thoughts our way for a clean fecal that would be wonderful!
I spoke to my Vet this morning. She is going to have me go ahead and take a fecal in for Beman today since tomorrow it will be 1 month from when I had gotten my little love Bahari. She said that we may get the results by Friday otherwise it would be Monday. They send out all fecals to a lab to be tested thoroughly.
Beman is acting like himself in every way. Eating like a pig... A little chunky but I am waiting on putting him on a diet until I know he is totally clear of this. He is very active and alert. While this does not mean much since low numbers of coccidia can present without side effects. I am hopeful since the fecal the week before last was still negative for coccidia.
I will do an update when I get the results. If everyone that has followed along can just send good thoughts our way for a clean fecal that would be wonderful!
