Crested Chameleons Sick
- Thread starter kkey1066
- Start date
She seems healthier every day Trace. She closed her eye as I snapped the pic . She sees fine I think. And she varies her camouflage pattern quite often according to mood. Im trying to get a pic of the sick one to upload but it wont work. She looks so weak im debating putting her in the shower. It might be the only thing that works tho.
Sohumvet
Member
If she were mine I'd put her in the shower, slightly warm water so it hits the wall first then sprays the plant she's on. Shower her for 20 minutes or so. Also, stay in there and monitor her. Close the bathroom door so there is a high humidity then leave her in there another 30-40 minutes after the shower.
Repeat the showers 2-3 times daily.
Repeat the showers 2-3 times daily.
Trace
Captain Awesome
Celia doesn’t look too not bad either I was expecting much, much worse but she definitely needs help. She has a few scratches and abrasions but nothing that won’t heal with a few decent sheds. I think you said you are on the Gulf coast and it’s getting late there now so I’d let them sleep tonight and start up the showers for both in the morning. Water, even in excess will not hurt them.
Offer some good foods in the morning. I haven’t found a wild caught that can resist a regular Fly so maybe look around for some of those. They aren’t maybe the most nutritionally sound bug but it’ll get them eating.
Offer some good foods in the morning. I haven’t found a wild caught that can resist a regular Fly so maybe look around for some of those. They aren’t maybe the most nutritionally sound bug but it’ll get them eating.
State of the art hydrotherapy. Ceilia's first shower. Water temp 90f at nozzle 85f at ceilia's perch. Shower on low for 25 mins. 30 minute sitting in tub on perch with water turned off. Room temp 80 degrees.
Thanks to Trace and Sohumvet! She looked contented and serene while taking her shower!
I will continue this hydrotherapy as long as she needs it.
Thanks to Trace and Sohumvet! She looked contented and serene while taking her shower!
I will continue this hydrotherapy as long as she needs it.
Trace I didnt see your last post till I was already showering the Cham. She immediatly turned a lighter healthier shade of green and actually gulped a little water. I was a little concerned because our city water has a lot of clorine. I have been using reverse osmosis and distilled bottled water for hydration and misting. Right as I put her back in the cage, she darkened up again. I think she benefitted by it tho. I will shower the other tomorrow along with ceilia.Again thanks.
Trace
Captain Awesome
Sometimes difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions. Best. Shower. Technique. Ever. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot as you don’t want to burn her after all she has been through. I always err for the water temperature to be on the cool side (not cold) and let them warm up in their cages afterwards if they are cold. If she doesn’t want to eat tomorrow there is something called Repta-Aid by Flukers and it’s a liquid diet made especially for sick reptiles and you can find it in most pet stores. Your vet my have their own critical care formulas for situations like this. The cristatus aren’t gluttons like other species so don’t panic if she doesn’t eat a ton of bugs a day.
Keep us posted and again if you have questions don’t be shy. I’m rooting for the both of them. I’ve seen much, much worse in my day but I think these two have a chance with some decent TLC and medical attention when they are slightly stronger.
Cheers,
Trace
P.S. Any vet can do a fecal. It does not need to be a reptile specific one. For care yes, but poops no.
Thanks for that Sohumvet, i'll keep that in mind.
I misted the two fems this morn and checked the drip. I'll shower treat both of them this evening maybe twice.
Trace, in answer to an earlier item you spoke about, Yes I have a ice cream bucket filled with damp play sand about 6 inches deep mixed with a small ammount of coconut husk for color for and egg-bound females. Do you think sand is ok or should I mix it with dirt?
I misted the two fems this morn and checked the drip. I'll shower treat both of them this evening maybe twice.
Trace, in answer to an earlier item you spoke about, Yes I have a ice cream bucket filled with damp play sand about 6 inches deep mixed with a small ammount of coconut husk for color for and egg-bound females. Do you think sand is ok or should I mix it with dirt?
Cameroon weather stats
I thought i'd post this link to a page of pertinent weather stats for the Cristatus'
natural habitat in Cameroon in western Africa
http://www.cameroon.climatemps.com/
Just south of Cameroon is Gabon in which the weather is quite a bit warmer and the humidity is appreciably higher. I believe that the Cristatus can be found in Gabon as well.
I thought i'd post this link to a page of pertinent weather stats for the Cristatus'
natural habitat in Cameroon in western Africa
http://www.cameroon.climatemps.com/
Just south of Cameroon is Gabon in which the weather is quite a bit warmer and the humidity is appreciably higher. I believe that the Cristatus can be found in Gabon as well.
Trace
Captain Awesome
I can’t quite decide if your gals are gravid or not but always offer a lay chamber just in case. Your bucket sounds fine too. My bucket is filled with regular potting soil from the grocery store but others have used sand with the same results. The girls didn’t really dig down very deep (like say Veileds or Panthers) but you might need something a little deeper than you’ve got. Maybe not? Watch them if they do start digging and you might need to get a slightly taller bucket or container but you certainly don’t need a large, filled to the brim trash can for the cristatus.
As for the showering and such; adjust your lights on/off times to mimic the rise and fall of the sun. It’s more natural for them. And as such I’d shower a little earlier in the day so they can warm up if needed afterwards before their lights off. I appreciate though if you have work and other responsibilities and these gals have to get done at odd times.
Keep us posted!
As for the showering and such; adjust your lights on/off times to mimic the rise and fall of the sun. It’s more natural for them. And as such I’d shower a little earlier in the day so they can warm up if needed afterwards before their lights off. I appreciate though if you have work and other responsibilities and these gals have to get done at odd times.
Keep us posted!
Trace,
I leave for work at 6:45 am and im not a "morning person" lol so its evening showering they will receive.
I will keep an eye out at the thrift stores for a bigger bucket . Your right it needs a little deeper and a bit wider. But at least it will tell if they start digging.
I leave for work at 6:45 am and im not a "morning person" lol so its evening showering they will receive.
I will keep an eye out at the thrift stores for a bigger bucket . Your right it needs a little deeper and a bit wider. But at least it will tell if they start digging.
Trace
Captain Awesome
You rock! Glad to see you researching their natural environment! I always recommend that for keepers of odd species and to try and replicate that as much as they can. I think I have that link already but if not I’ll add it to the article I’m writing on the cristatus and others.
The cristatus come from lower elevation areas and I wouldn’t lump them in with other typical montane species although maybe not under lowland either. Notice the rainy seasons, humidity and temperatures. You can make the basking spot a little higher (and thus the ambient will increase) than for your Jax but they don’t bask a ton. They bask for a short time in the morning then move down to lower areas for eating and such. Cristatus are found on low bushes and not high up in the canopy so I find a horizontal space is more beneficial for them over a tall vertical space.
The cristatus come from lower elevation areas and I wouldn’t lump them in with other typical montane species although maybe not under lowland either. Notice the rainy seasons, humidity and temperatures. You can make the basking spot a little higher (and thus the ambient will increase) than for your Jax but they don’t bask a ton. They bask for a short time in the morning then move down to lower areas for eating and such. Cristatus are found on low bushes and not high up in the canopy so I find a horizontal space is more beneficial for them over a tall vertical space.
