Failing Health - Eyes, Not Eating, Not Urinating or Deficating

[mommycurzon]

His UV bulb is brand new, just bought it less then a month ago. I haven't put him in the shower, he hates getting water sprayed on him but it might help so I'll try it tonight.

Thanks

 

[kinyonga]

You said you moved the cage downstairs....is it near a window?
Is the basking temperature you indicated in the first post the one for where he is now?

Does he sit with his mouth open at all?

You said..."he's had this type since I've had him" referring to the UVB light...do you mean that you have always used Repti-glo?

 

[Leilaskeeper]

Your cham is beautiful and most definitely a male as most have already mentioned. He looks exactly like the one my brother in law just sold. You live in London .. we should have our children meet - both chams and babies I have a 3 yr old and a 6 month old.

I'm also in the care of a panther juvi - she was on a hunger strike for about two weeks but with a bit higher basking temp, frequent mistings and a liquid diet, she is now slowly eating more and more every day. Many people told me to see a vet, but she was showing a lot of strength and resiliance and I decided to wait a bit. Chams can go without food for a while. Keep on top of him .. make sure he is hydrated and do try feeding. If you need to use a syringe with a liquid diet (I used multivitamin, cal w/ d3, a few crix, a few butterworms and some pedialyte but egg yolk is also beneficial) and it WORKED! If you see your cham getting worse after trying all this, then a vet is most definitely in order. Like I always say, use your descretion. You know what's best for your babies.

 

[mommycurzon]

You said you moved the cage downstairs....is it near a window?
Is the basking temperature you indicated in the first post the one for where he is now?

Does he sit with his mouth open at all?

You said..."he's had this type since I've had him" referring to the UVB light...do you mean that you have always used Repti-glo?

No windows downstairs, and the basking temp is right now. He doesn't sit with his mouth open at all.

Yes, I've used the Repti-glo brand uvb bulbs since I got him.

 

[Elizadolots]

Leilaskeeper, did your chameleon care when you were pregnant?

The first thing I thought when I saw that mommycurzon is pregnant is maybe the chameleon senses that and is freaked out by it. I thought it sounded a little far fetched--I mean, I know my dogs were all weirded out when I was pregnant, but those are dogs.

So, I checked around and found out that Komodo Dragons will pick out the pregnant deers in a herd and try to scare them into miscarrying (easier way to get a meal than running the deer down).. So, obviously the idea that a reptile could sense when a mammal was pregnant isn't completely loony. I just can't imagine why he would care though....

On the "mist" setting for a shower. I'm not sure that needs to be bounced off the wall. I have a low flow "mist" shower head and it's not unlike the vegetable misters at the grocery store. I sort of think if I pointed it at the wall, it would just hit the wall and run straight down, not bounce back.And, as they seem to carry more air with them, feel considerably colder than a regular shower.

I would gauge the temperature pretty much like I would for a baby. It needs to feel warm to my touch, but not hot. Whether you do a warm bath or a warm shower, do it early enough in the day that your chameleon gets to be back under the lights long enough to be completely dry and warmed up.

 

[Leilaskeeper]

Leilaskeeper, did your chameleon care when you were pregnant?

The first thing I thought when I saw that mommycurzon is pregnant is maybe the chameleon senses that and is freaked out by it. I thought it sounded a little far fetched--I mean, I know my dogs were all weirded out when I was pregnant, but those are dogs.

So, I checked around and found out that Komodo Dragons will pick out the pregnant deers in a herd and try to scare them into miscarrying (easier way to get a meal than running the deer down).. So, obviously the idea that a reptile could sense when a mammal was pregnant isn't completely loony. I just can't imagine why he would care though....

On the "mist" setting for a shower. I'm not sure that needs to be bounced off the wall. I have a low flow "mist" shower head and it's not unlike the vegetable misters at the grocery store. I sort of think if I pointed it at the wall, it would just hit the wall and run straight down, not bounce back.And, as they seem to carry more air with them, feel considerably colder than a regular shower.

I would gauge the temperature pretty much like I would for a baby. It needs to feel warm to my touch, but not hot. Whether you do a warm bath or a warm shower, do it early enough in the day that your chameleon gets to be back under the lights long enough to be completely dry and warmed up.

I didn't have chams while I was preggo.

I can't comment on how chameleons react or even if they do because there is no scientific evidence to back that up. Speculation doesn't really help but I understand what you're saying.

If you have a mist setting on your shower head, that's fantastic! Definitely use it. But for those who don't have fancy shower heads (me .. hehe), indirect it best. I know there are ppl out there who agree and even offer the same advice.

 

[Elizadolots]

Oh, shoot...I'd thought you had chams during your last pregnancy. I wonder if there's anyone here who has.

I know my dogs were very aware that I was pregnant and if you look around the internet you'll see people with all sorts of mammals and even birds claiming their pets knew they were pregnant. Initially I thought it was an impossible idea, but like I said, I found out that Kimodo Dragons can detect a female deer being pregnant.

I guess it makes sense. They are obviously able to quickly determine the gender of another chameleon even when we humans have utterly failed to do so (see the thread about Mellers...it's pretty much: put adults together and the one that mounts is the male..if no one mounts, you still have no clue). Scenting pheromones must be an important skill for animals that are essentially anti-social.

Maybe he's just freaked because he thinks there's something radically different about the human who services his living area....

mommycurzon, does anyone else in the family care for the chameleons? I'm wondering if it might help to have you back off a bit on the care, but that would only work if the chameleons were used to someone else putting their hands into the cage.

We didn't really have the option on the "fancy" shower head. We're under water rationing and "low flow" misty shower heads are one way to cope.

I'm waiting for the city to ban water intensive pets like chameleons.

 

[mommycurzon]

That's a really interesting thought, I am the only one who cares for him, he actually despises my husband and will try and bite him (LOL..I know, I shouldn't laugh but it's hysterical). But it's possible, so I'll get him to give it a try.

 

[Elizadolots]

That's a really interesting thought, I am the only one who cares for him, he actually despises my husband and will try and bite him (LOL..I know, I shouldn't laugh but it's hysterical). But it's possible, so I'll get him to give it a try.

It's probably a good idea to involve someone else anyway. As I'm sure you know you need to be a lot more cautious dealing with chameleons when you are pregnant and being able to share the load will make your life easier. Also, once the baby gets here you'll probably feel like you need to be cloned just to handle those needs.

If your chameleon is really anti-male then maybe there's a teenage girl in your neighborhood who would be willing to help out (and, possibly be of use as a babysitter).

 

[mommycurzon]

A heartbreaking end

Despite his valiant effort and the appearance that he was getting better, Gonzo couldn't pull through and passed away yesterday despite the medication.

Thank you all for your help and support.

 

[Elizadolots]

Oh, I'm so sorry!

 

[serenitystarlite]

Sorry to hear about your cham