Help!! Back Legs Not Moving

[Red Bishop]

I have a young Sambava (aprox 5 months) and I think he may have fell. His back legs and even tail are not moving and he is climbing and hanging around only using his front legs.

Setup:
2x2x3 screen enclosure
Reptisun 5.0
Heat lamp
live umbrella plant
some fake plants, branches, etc.
Temp is 85 - 90 standard and drops to around 65 F at night
RH = 50 - 55%
Feeds on dusted crickets and silkworms.

The main question: Is there anything else that would cause this or he his back end done for good? I have a vet visit scheduled for tomorrow, but I don't think it's going to help. I can ad pics if needed.

 

[VeiledBreeder]

What is the color of his back half that isnt working?

 

[Red Bishop]

Darker than the front

 

[Justin Carl]

could be a spinal cord problem.
could be paralyzed. sorry
you will find out tomorrow with an x-ray

 

[Red Bishop]

Picture

Here is a pic

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

I have a young Sambava (aprox 5 months) and I think he may have fell. His back legs and even tail are not moving and he is climbing and hanging around only using his front legs.

Setup:
2x2x3 screen enclosure
Reptisun 5.0
Heat lamp
live umbrella plant
some fake plants, branches, etc.
Temp is 85 - 90 standard and drops to around 65 F at night
RH = 50 - 55%
Feeds on dusted crickets and silkworms.

The main question: Is there anything else that would cause this or he his back end done for good? I have a vet visit scheduled for tomorrow, but I don't think it's going to help. I can ad pics if needed.

Greetings. Your photo did not come through. There have been several cases on this forum of chameleons having back end paralysis due to intestinal impaction. When did your cham last poop? Here is a thread about impaction: https://www.chameleonforums.com/dead-backend-7022/

He may be dehydrated. Your daytime temperatures seem very high. We try to keep enclosure ambient temps from 72F at the bottom of enclosure to about 80, with a basking area that heats up to about 85-87F under a UVA lamp. This is in addition to the UVB. Panthers do not need hot ambient temperatures. I would recommend you immediately lower the temps in the enclosure. Humidity could be higher, as well, more like about 70 percent. Some people use a store bought humidifier, directed into the enclosure, to raise the humidity.

 

[Red Bishop]

Pic

I'll try again

 

[Justin Carl]

gesang, with the condition of his chameleon would a shower be out of the question?
I know these help to promote a movement.

 

[Red Bishop]

The 85 F is a probe directly under the UVA lamp. The rest is in the 70's during the day. He poops all the time, though I don't think he is eating as much now. He pooped on my hand when I brought him out to see if he would move his legs. Thanks for replying.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Oh, OK. I see your post now where you said he is pooping. And I see that your temps actually are OK at 85 under the lamp, and ambient 70's. I still would raise that humidity. But, as for the back legs I don't know what to tell you. MBD is a possibility, but the legs look straight.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

gesang, with the condition of his chameleon would a shower be out of the question?
I know these help to promote a movement.

I don't know. I'm leaving this up to the experts now. SOmetimes it's simply a matter of getting them to poop. But, if he's pooping, then it could be something more serious. In that case, I would hesitate to over handle a chameleon who appears to have a paralyzed back end. Hang on. SOmeone with much more experience will likely chime in here.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

He pooped on my hand when I brought him out to see if he would move his legs. Thanks for replying.

Was there anything unusual about todsy's poop? How long have you noticed him not using his back legs or tail?

 

[CleanLineChameleons]

If it were a fall don't worry, I know a multiple instances where a cham has fallen or been dropped and went a night with what appeared to be paralyzed back end. Of the 3 cases, all of them the next day could use their legs. I think what happens is they fall and something swells pinching a nerve, then when the swelling subsides they can move again. But if it were a fall you need to make sure lighting and supps are adequate because there must be some reason for the fall. Let us know how he is tomorrow.

-chris

 

[Red Bishop]

He has been like this since Saturday, almost a week now.

 

[ChameleonsTree]

well his tail is still curling so i dont think he is paralyzed

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Has he been to see the vet?

-Brad

 

[chameleon76]

I realy dont know what to say.Its good the tail still works .does he poop uncontrolibly like he has lost that function? Good luck hope all turnes out for the best. Please keep us posted.

 

[Red Bishop]

He's going to the vet today. I wouldn't say his tail works. It makes what looks more like an involuntary movement. It doesn't curl up, just the very tip stays curled. I don't know about pooping uncontrollably. He seemed to poop on me whenever I took him out (which was not often). Thanks for the replies.

 

[Lancecham]

It doesn't appear to be MBD. He probably fell causing damage to the spinal cord.

 

[Zoey]

Keep us posted!!


If he turns out to be paralyzed ... does anyone have any advice on how to take care of him with his disabled state?