Dehydrated chameleon question

[chamdan]

Hey all Im posting on here for a buddy of mine, his jax cham which he just got from the pet store is severely dehydrated. I told him to use the shower method and set up a mist timer but when he used the shower method for 30 mins the chameleon didn't drink any of the water. The chameleon is a juvenile and Im not sure how else he can hydrate the chameleon if it isn't drinking at all even when offered water. He said it just slept the entire time in the shower any tips or advice I can give him because anytime one of my chams needs an extra water boost I just use the shower method thanks all!

 

[alphakenc]

Hi chamdan , is his jax eyes totally sunk in if you dont mind I ask?
If you can show us a pic of his Jax ,that will be helpful

 

[alphakenc]

U might also do like Carlton said...You might get him drinking if you drip warm water over his face with a dropper or syringe and let him lick it off his lips. When he starts licking and swallowing give him some of the Gatorade. Pedialyte may be a bit easier on him, but again this is a stop gap measure until he starts drinking on his own. They are not formulated for herps. Quoted from Carlton

 

[chamdan]

Yea I will try to get him to send me a picture, now he says the chameleon has been throwing up. My only idea that could cause this is maybe a parasite of some sort since he just got the chameleon. Probably wild caught and has a parasite. Maybe a vet visit is required for him what do you guys think? He said he has thrown up two times.

 

[alphakenc]

Yes ,ring the vet and bring the freshly fecal within 1-2 hours time so the vet can do some test on him,keep us the new updates,best luck to you and his cham.

 

[chamdan]

Thank you, yea Im thinking it has to be parasites of some sort.

 

[alphakenc]

You are welcome,I agree with you.

 

[chamdan]

What if he can't get a fecal sample though because the chameleon hasn't gone to the bathroom yet since he's had it. How will they test for parasites in that case?

 

[alphakenc]

That is a great question I will assume the vet will have to personally see the cham,and might be do some type of the probe....I will leave this great question for your vet,cause Im not a vet,Im just alphakenc

 

[carol5208]

Sunken eyes can mean hydration, but it can also be a sign that the chameleon is very ill and even near death. The best way to get water or fluids in him is to try and drip water on his nose and get him to lick it when it rolls down towards his mouth. Don't do it for a few seconds, but several minutes. If he does not respond then I would say he is not going to drink.

 

[Kingkush]

I know this sounds bazaar but noises you can make with you mouth will stimulate them to eat or drink,,i do it all the time..im not saying it will work in this case but it does work..its the same mechanism when one is eating near another even though a barrier.. if they hear chewing or wet mouth noises it stimulates them.

 

[jajeanpierre]

What if he can't get a fecal sample though because the chameleon hasn't gone to the bathroom yet since he's had it. How will they test for parasites in that case?

You won't be able to test for intestinal parasites without a fecal (fresh) sample. If he is so anorexic that he is not producing stool and is dehydrated, parasites are the least of his problems. The animal will need to be stabilized AND HYDRATED before medicating for parasites.

 

[chamdan]

Ok thank you for your input appreciate all the help guys Ill let my friend know....hydration at this point is the most important thing in my opinion for his cham

 

[jajeanpierre]

Ok thank you for your input appreciate all the help guys Ill let my friend know....hydration at this point is the most important thing in my opinion for his cham

Hydration is always incredibly important with chameleons.

 

[chamdan]

Def

 

[carol5208]

I know this sounds bazaar but noises you can make with you mouth will stimulate them to eat or drink,,i do it all the time..im not saying it will work in this case but it does work..its the same mechanism when one is eating near another even though a barrier.. if they hear chewing or wet mouth noises it stimulates them.

Well that is interesting, considering they really do not hear!

 

[Kingkush]

Well that is interesting, considering they really do not hear!

Your wrong about that sorry they can hear tones and vibrations and they can differentiate in tones.
Please dont make a correction when you dont know the facts.

 

[chamdan]

What if the chameleon isn't going to the bathroom though, does the vet help them go if they are impacted as well as dehydrated?

 

[Andee]

My vet did an enema on my chameleon and it helped her go, sometimes it's needed to break up to constipation.

How low is the lighting in your shower? I realized when I gave my jax a shower today that my low lighting stimulated her to fall asleep. But she ended up drinking before. Maybe your little one is so tired that he/she slept before it drank. I would however still get them looked at by a vet. With the possibility of jax being wild caught and not well taken care of in most pet stores because most people do not know their specific needs, I would get him/her checked for parasites and mbd, even slight mbd can plummet to dangerous levels if you don't head it off quick.

 

[alphakenc]

What if the chameleon isn't going to the bathroom though, does the vet help them go if they are impacted as well as dehydrated?

If the chameleon still eats,I will suggest to feed some hornworm silkworm so it will be hydrated since those worms are higher percentage with water in them.