Emergency!

[twinzell]

I lost my chameleon earlier today only to be found by my landlady. He is badly injured from her housecats, a nasty gash with a lot of exposed flesh. He almost died but now seems to be stabilized. I am taking him to the vet in the morning, but in the meantime is there anything I can do to improve his chances? I know some of you are going to scold me for letting him get attacked by a cat but he literally crawled under three doors and up flights or stairs (or a two story fireplace) to get upstairs.

 

[ataraxia]

Any pics???

 

[Decadancin]

I lost my chameleon earlier today only to be found by my landlady. He is badly injured from her housecats, a nasty gash with a lot of exposed flesh. He almost died but now seems to be stabilized. I am taking him to the vet in the morning, but in the meantime is there anything I can do to improve his chances? I know some of you are going to scold me for letting him get attacked by a cat but he literally crawled under three doors and up flights or stairs (or a two story fireplace) to get upstairs.

Are there any emergency clinics around? Some vets run with hours that are after hours, or have vets on-call. If the cuts are not too severe, maybe some neosporin would help minimize infection risk. I do not know if this would be a good idea if the wounds are too bad. Hope some vets are looking in and can offer some advice. I am so sorry this has happened to you, but I am sure someone will offer some solid advice for you.

 

[twinzell]

My camera is charging its literally a triangle about 1 sq inch of skin missing from the side. 6 month old panther chameleon male Maurice

 

[MollyT]

Oh no! How awful! I am glad he was found and has made it this far. Definitely keep us updated! I'm sorry I don't have any real advice...I just wanted to let you know that this forum is really a good place and the members here are understanding about accidents and eager to help. I hope things work out well for you and your little guy!

 

[ClubFauna]

Put some neosporin on the cut.... But make sure it has no "pain relief" .... If it does, you can't use it. Those are chemicals that arent good for your Cham

 

[twinzell]

Thanks guys he's at the vet right now undergoing surgery but he looks as all right as can be expeted

 

[lisagr07]

Thanks guys he's at the vet right now undergoing surgery but he looks as all right as can be expeted

Glad to hear he's getting medical attention!! Let us know how he does!!!

 

[lovepicasso]

Do please let us know how things go with the surgery, I'm so sorry this happened and I have a little prayer for him.......don't be too hard on yourself, these things do happen and sure it will not happen again with you....we let our boy burn his tongue off at Christmas, he climbed up on a lamp and got his tongue stuck on the bulb, so I have no room to scold.

 

[laurie]

Hope your cham is ok. Let us know how the surgery goes. You are not the only one to make a mistake trust me on that!! I have been there my self a few times. We all have to learn, but at least you are getting your cham to the vet so you have done everything you could and you won't make that mistake again - trust me on that.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Things do happen. I lost my male Veiled only to be found by a very nice neighbor who returned him a few days later. It's just something that does happen. I am wishing the best for your Panther Chameleon and for a speedy recovery.

 

[KatCham]

Awwww poor lil mite.

Let us know how he goes.

Get well soon lil one!! xxx

 

[Dr O]

for a general reply if something like this happens to anyone in the future, what you want to do until you get to the vet is keep the area moist, you don’t want the tissues to dry out. don’t use water——you can place some gauze bandages over the site and keep them moist with periodic applications of saline that you would find in the eye section. neosporin is ok (agreed about the variety WITHOUT “instant pain relief”), KY jelly is excellent, petroleum jelly will last the longest before reapplication but only for shallow wounds. don’t be sticking it deep into their bodies!

in general, KY is probably the safest bet but will need reapplication every few hours. adding a gauze bandage and slathering the gel on will help to keep it clean and moist.

 

[lisagr07]

for a general reply if something like this happens to anyone in the future, what you want to do until you get to the vet is keep the area moist, you don’t want the tissues to dry out. don’t use water——you can place some gauze bandages over the site and keep them moist with periodic applications of saline that you would find in the eye section. neosporin is ok (agreed about the variety WITHOUT “instant pain relief”), KY jelly is excellent, petroleum jelly will last the longest before reapplication but only for shallow wounds. don’t be sticking it deep into their bodies!

in general, KY is probably the safest bet but will need reapplication every few hours. adding a gauze bandage and slathering the gel on will help to keep it clean and moist.

Great info Dr. O!!!! Thanks for posting this for us!!