Gilligan has Passed

[SycoSquirl]

Things had been looking good for my boy Gilligan up until yesterday when I caught him sleeping during the day. Today before I went to go get food I checked up on him to find him on the floor (not too uncommon for him with his history) but when I picked him up to move him up like I usually do he would not climb off my hand back into the cage. So thats when I knew something was wrong. I took him downstairs to keep an eye on him and noticed him gaping and sucking in air. He doesnt usually do this so I told my dad I was taking him to the vet. On the way there I saw him leaning to the side and resting on my hand, gaping even more violently trying desperately to get air, and keeping his eyes closed. I had my dad call ahead so they knew we were coming so they were prapared when we arrived with him. They set him up on oxygen and gave him fluids and did their very best to try and get him to pull through but he was having a hard time. I had been there for 2 hours and they told me it was going to be a waiting game but that it didnt look too good, so when I left I went and told him goodnight and got to hold him but he was so weak he couldnt move anything on his own, it was like holding a dead chameleon in my hands, the only thing giving me hope was that his heart was still beating like normal. 2 hours later I get a call from the vet telling me hes doing worse and his heart is barely beating and that we should come by and say out final goodbyes. He passed away around 5:15 shortly after we arrived, and in my hands, the only good news is he is in a better place now and no longer suffering. So here is to Gilligan, who I only got to know for a few months, but gave me so much happiness and love I could never regret. Gilligan, you were the best boy ever and your personality even got my mom to love you. Rest in peace my beautiful boy, you will be missed but forever in my heart.

 

[Marshmallows mom]

I am so sorry for your loss, My thoughts are with you.

 

[SycoSquirl]

thank you for the kind words, Im holding in for now, but really dont want to go into my room and seeing his empty cage..

 

[junglefries]

Sorry. A loss of a pet can be equivelant to that of a loved one. I would suggest draping a sheet over the cage or having dad place it in the garage out of sight for a little while if it's upsetting you. I don't remember his exact meds, but know ones like Baytril or Panacur can be especially hard on them. Their kidneys just aren't cut out for it. Again sorry, and hold your head up.

 

[SycoSquirl]

I will be taking his cage apart tomorrow afternoon and placing it in the garage, but I will be taking it with me to school for when Im ready for another one. They had him on antibiotics for a long time because of fluid he had built up, but alas he has lost his fight, but he will forever live on in the hearts of the people who got to know him

 

[jannb]

I'm so sorry to hear that Gilligan didn't make it. You both put up a good fight. It's never easy to lose one of our little friends. May he now rest in peace.

Cage tip: Be sure to clean well before you get another chameleon and I'd recommend all new plants, vines and branches.

 

[Decadancin]

Sorry for your loss. RIP little one.

 

[SycoSquirl]

I'm so sorry to hear that Gilligan didn't make it. You both put up a good fight. It's never easy to lose one of our little friends. May he now rest in peace.

Cage tip: Be sure to clean well before you get another chameleon and I'd recommend all new plants, vines and branches.

Thanks for the tip, I had planned on thoroughly cleaning it and replacing the floor piece and bleaching all branches and vines I had currently, I figured if I re-potted and cleaned all the plants (just 2 were in the cage) then that would be okay he was never really on the pothos to begin with unless he fell into/onto it =/ guy never had the strength to hold on for very long and always eventually fell down. Im happy his suffering is finally over, but the pain of his loss will be with me for quite some time. My parents have been very wonderful about all of this with me, offering to buy another one this weekend, and taking me shopping today. But I need time to mourn my baby boy first before I even think of another one, and before I can ever move on I need to get a tattoo for him. My vet said they will make a plack of some sort of his little paw prints so depending on how good it comes out I will get the paw prints on my shoulder with his name so he is always close by.

Thank you everyone for your continued support from day one on here for me and my boy Gilligan, if it wasnt for this forum I dont think he would have made it past a month, I got a lot of good advice on here and was able to give him some semblance of a better life then the pet shop could (in my opinion at least) and his brash personality even got my mom who does not like reptiles to fall in love with him. I can only hope my next cham will be half the grump my boy was, but either way Gilligan will always be in my heart and my first love <3

 

[Lovereps]

I don't know his story but I understand the sadness of your loss.
May your heart heal quickly.
The tattoo sounds like an interesting idea.