Eye issues, and now not eating

[Vnessinessa]

Hey, so in March, Lokkie started having issues with his right eye. I took him to the vets, and she gave me eye drops, which didnt help long term...I took him back to the vets 2 weeks ago. He is on oral pain meds, anti inflammstories, and antibiotics. The eye was looking so much better; like amazing, and then it started to go backwards, and almost worse! I am going to take him back after I try another week of the meds, but it is getting very pricey. Arg! I am wondering if anyone else has any ideas. I have tried the vitamin A. I turn off his UVB bulb sometimes to give him a break in case that is the problem, but I have no clue. Anyhow, I have been injecting the medications into Superworms as they are the easiest to inject. He was SO eager to eat them for about a week and a half, but he stopped eating his crickets. Now, yesterday he wouldn't even touch the worms. I am wondering if he is tasting the meds and are bothered by it, or if the meds are bothering his stomach? I am also stressed because I dont know how I can open his mouth to get in the meds. I feel really stressed about the idea. He is still very active still, and he seems well hydrated. I am at a loss. Almost wondering if I need to find a new vet? Help!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Sorry for the challenge with your beautiful chameleon! Illness definitely can decrease appetite, but, so can dehydration! Make sure your chameleon is superhydrated! Following is a link to a thread with real good information on eye health!

https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...nced-keepers-please-share-your-wisdom.152159/

Hope this helps!

 

[Vnessinessa]

Sorry for the challenge with your beautiful chameleon! Illness definitely can decrease appetite, but, so can dehydration! Make sure your chameleon is superhydrated! Following is a link to a thread with real good information on eye health!

https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...nced-keepers-please-share-your-wisdom.152159/

Hope this helps!

Awesome! It helps a lot; I will thoroughly read the article shortly. How do you control how hydrated he is if it is out of my control aside from using a dripper and him choosing to drink by himself? Thank you for the info

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Put him on a plant in the shower. Or plant like structure. You can open up the valve and the the water to about your body temperature. Then aim the water on the tile right above the plant so that small mist like water drops bounce off on to the plant. Then put the chameleon on it and watch him drink. It will take a title while but once he drinks he will fill himself up! Kep watching him till he is done. Check the wafer temperature frequently! Don' leave him alone during the process!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Don' let the direct shower stream hit your chameleon, just the indirect splashing!

 

[Vnessinessa]

Don' let the direct shower stream hit your chameleon, just the indirect splashing!

Okay! Thanks so much. I will give it a go! Maybe that will help with his a bit too as always, your information is very appreciated.

 

[Vnessinessa]

So, my chameleon had a horn worm and two butter worms today, but it took a lot of coaxing. If I am feeding him those, how many should he be eating? He must be coming up to ten months old...His eye looks like absolute crap. I have been Injecting worms with vitamin A, his meds, and pedialyte with no prevail. He is very active, but his eye is just terrible and I am just so worried about him; I am at a loss. I did put him near the shower as well, which helped the skin on his eye loosen a bit as the skin is hardening which also causes more problems, however that is not the main issue. Long story short, I am taking him to a new vet on Tuesday for a second opinion. This is becoming quite pricey, however I bought him, I must take care of him. Ugh! So freaking frustrated!!! I dont know if I should just stop giving the antibiotics, anti inflammatories, and pain meds just in case that is why he is not eating...I am guessing eating is better than using these meds that clearly aren't working. Ahhhh oh and another this he started doing was gaping his mouth... no sounds, but I worry he could be getting an RI because of the glass cage, but I have it set as bioative, and I heard the exo terras sre okay for chams and ventilation. I changed his lighting as temps were not ideal, so I am wondering if he is doing it to cool down? Cage is still only hitting about 86, but it is much higher than he was used to.
. I feel like I am losing my mind trying to make sure everything is perfect, yet, this eye problem is stressing me out...

 

[VerucaSalt]

An option I never realized existed for these guys is pet insurance--- believe @jannb said she's able to pay only $8-10/month per Cham, with a discount for quantity , but I will be jumping on this option....it adds up fast and allows you to parent a litttle easier and get some peace of mind!

 

[Vnessinessa]

An option I never realized existed for these guys is pet insurance--- believe @jannb said she's able to pay only $8-10/month per Cham, with a discount for quantity , but I will be jumping on this option....it adds up fast and allows you to parent a litttle easier and get some peace of mind!

I have been looking into this actually! I have to call to make sure it works for in Canada I definitely need to sign up however when I asked the reptile vet, they said they had never heard of it