Help I think my chameleon leg is broken!

[dangarcia]

Hi guys I just noticed my chameleon today at the bottom of the cage and he was dark as in the picture I attached and I thought maybe he was just too hot and he’s been digging at the bottom of the cage often now for about 2 weeks and I wasn’t sure why (if anyone knows ab why he digs please help as well ) well i grabbed him and put him at the top and he turned green again but I noticed his leg was bent backward ! Can someone tell me what to do or any advice will help ! Vets are closed rn and I would have to call tm but I’m worried

 

[Carloscruz]

That does not look good get him to a vet asap.

 

[bbyoda]

I think you have a girl. She's digging to try and lay eggs. Her leg may have broken if she's calcium deficient. That happens when you don't have the right UVB light (linear T5 Reptisun 5.0 or Arcadia 6%) and don't give the right supplements, calcium without phosphorus every feeding except when giving multivitamins and calcium with D2 on alternating weeks.

If that's the case then a vet visit with a vet who knows chameleons well is necessary for addressing the leg, the potential for eggbinding, and the potential for her having metabolic bone disease which makes bones brittle from lack of calcium.

Let us know where you live and we can recommend a good vet. This is an emergency so you'll want to call and explain the situation and go in first thing in the morning and basically beg for an appointment.

@kinyonga let me know if I'm on the right track here

 

[redhorse]

Sorry but your chameleons is in dire need of VET Like a few weeks ago. MBD causes all kinds of issues and some of the expert here can share what is needed.
VET is first

 

[MissSkittles]

I too think that you have a girl and from the sounds of it, a broken leg is the least of her problems. She is most likely egg bound, which is very painful and without immediate veterinary attention can prove fatal. Her digging is her attempts to lay eggs. Usually once they start digging, they are not to be disturbed for anything. They can easily lose the desire to continue laying, which leads to egg binding. However, the broken leg is a sign of metabolic bone disease and I doubt she’s be able to lay her eggs without problems anyhow.

 

[dangarcia]

Thank u guys ! But they had told me she was a male I’ve had her for ab 9 months now and she hasn’t been with any other chameleon when I got him he was tiny like my pinky ! I live in Phoenix Arizona please recommend someone !

 

[Carloscruz]

Female can lay eggs even if they have not beenwith a male

 

[Carloscruz]

@jannb

 

[dangarcia]

Are u serious ???? I DID NOT KNOW THAT WAS POSSIBLE ?

 

[dangarcia]

So her leg is Broken and she’s laying eggs , i feel so dumb can someone tell me how to set up for her to lay her eggs !

 

[bbyoda]

Unfortunately a lot of pet shops don't give people the right information when they purchase chameleons so they aren't set up for success.

I haven't been through egg laying with chameleons but @MissSkittles and @kinyonga have.

Here's a video with the basics. You need a big enough bin filled with washed play sand. They are very private about laying. But in order to form eggs properly they need lots of calcium. So the MBD and broken leg have me worried that she might get eggbound. When that happens a vet might save her with an operation and by spaying her.

 

[bbyoda]

@jannb do you know of a good vet in Phoenix, Arizona?

 

[bbyoda]

In case @jannb doesn't pop in soon looks like there are some options on this site near Phoenix: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

You could call them and ask what experience they have with eggbound chameleons and chameleons with Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) to make sure you find someone who can actually help your girl.

Good luck!!

 

[dangarcia]

In case @jannb doesn't pop in soon looks like there are some options on this site near Phoenix: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

You could call them and ask what experience they have with eggbound chameleons and chameleons with Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) to make sure you find someone who can actually help your girl.

Good luck!!

Thank you so so so much ! I can’t thank u enough

 

[LukeTheLizard]

So her leg is Broken and she’s laying eggs , i feel so dumb can someone tell me how to set up for her to lay her eggs !

Chameleons can lay eggs even with out mating. They lay infertile eggs(eggs without lil chameleon babies in them) like chickens. She also has severe MBD(metabolic bone disease) and needs a vet ASAP.

 

[dangarcia]

Chameleons can lay eggs even with out mating. They lay infertile eggs(eggs without lil chameleon babies in them) like chickens. She also has severe MBD(metabolic bone disease) and needs a vet ASAP.

Thank you sm ! I will definitely call tm

 

[kinyonga]

Here's how to set up a proper egg laying bin. The substrate should be washed playsand that is just moist enough to hole a tunnel. Because her leg is broken, I would dig a deep hole on a slant for her and show it to her...

 

[kinyonga]

Is this the first time she's been digging at the bottom of th cage?

What supplements do you use specifically and how often for each?
I'm particularly looking at phos, calcium, vitamin D3 and the form of vitamin A that is in them.

What specific UVB light do you use? Long linear or compact? Brand?

 

[kinyonga]

You could answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread near the top of the health forum so we can check your husbandry too.

 

[LukeTheLizard]

Thank you sm ! I will definitely call tm

No problem, feel free to ask us if you have any other questions!