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dr2little

dr2little

New Member
I'm new here but have a 4 mth. old cham who seems to be failing fast.

He stopped eating and won't open his eyes. His breeder suggested that he may have gotten a "bad cricket". I guess the crickets from Calgary have been known lately to carry a virus. Any suggestions at all. I really think I'm going to loose him. His eyes rarely open when I hold him and he's starting to open him mouth as if to struggle. This all happened so fast and the only Vet with Cham experience is in another city.
 
I'm waiting for my husband to come home with the truck. I've got a call in to the Vet but am waiting for a call back. I'm just looking for suggestions to help him hold on until we can get there. We're an hour away..husband is still almost 1/2 an hour from home but is on his way.
 
Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful
 
update

Ivan seemed to get better throughout the day. The Vet was closed so I made sure that he stayed hydrated and had him out with me in the sun all day. He didn't eat but did seem to become much more active and his eyes opened up as normal. After advice from a reptile store and his breeder, I decided to take him in to the Vet when they opened on Monday a.m. He was starting to become a little more interested in the crickets that I offered but didn't follow through.

I took him to a Vet as soon as they opened, one who apparently specialized in these little creatures. I wish I hadn't. I took him in alive and climbing around and within 5 minutes of her taking him from me to "force feed"...she handed him back dead. I did bring his mesh enclosure with lights, calcium and supplements and she said that I was doing what I supposed to do for his care.

I was beyond devastated. They just handed me a box with the lid closed and when I opened it, my little Ivan who was bright green and active, was laying limp on his side with colors that I'd never seen before. He was lifeless..
The Vet tried to say that he was just upset... but he was clearly and completely gone. I held him as I drove home, hoping that he would come around but rigor started to set in minutes from my leaving the parking lot

When I asked her what happened she offered no explanation but said that she would try to give him oxygen...seriously... I lost it.
The staff's only response was that a chameleon costs under $100.00 and she
would not charge me the usual $195.00 fee for her "services".

It's amazing how attached one can get to a little creature.

Anyway...I'm rambling. I know he was just a little reptile but his little life
mattered and I just can't wrap my head around how this all went down. Add to thatthe guilt of handing him over only to have him tortured for the last 5 minutes of his life....
Life..all life is so fragile...and precious.
 
With Sympathy

Reading what happened to you little baby brought tears to my eyes, I'm so sorry. It's a shame the vet was not more apologetic/sympathetic.
 
I am so sorry! Especially since you put him in the hands of someone you thought you could trust and care for him.

Eventually if you do get another Cham Prior to purchasing Interview the Vets that "say" they do exotics. Have a few questions you know the best answer to and if they don't say the right one move to the next vet. I am sure some of the more experienced could give you a couple questions- I can think of one what do you treat coccidia with?

Then when you get the new one go for a wellness check even if there is no problems then they have become their patient. No extra emergency fees and they squeeze you in if needed.

once again- My sincerest condolences.this is so heartbreaking:(
 
Im so sorry for your loss..... Its funny how people look and think "Oh, its only a lizard. Just buy another one..." They don't realize how quickly we can become attached to these creatures... It really hurts to lose one... Again, my thoughts are with you.
 
chameleoman said:
i feel this is part my fault for saying to go:( sorry:(
Click to expand...

Please don't be sorry. You were trying to be helpful and I appreciate that.

Thank you for all your kind words. I took little Ivan, in a red velvet box to lay him to rest under a beautiful tree. Silly for some I know. I'm 50 years old but this really shook me. I'm going to write a letter to the clinic to let them know the impact of their treatment of this entire event. I'm a dog trainer, have been for 30 years...I can't imagine them getting away with this with someone's dog or cat. :(
 
Sorry to hear about the loss of your cham. I have had a not too great experience with a cham "expert" vet here in Calgary as well. If you like, I would be very interested in talking with you. Maybe send me a PM and we can exchange info.
 
dr2little said:
I'm new here but have a 4 mth. old cham who seems to be failing fast.

He stopped eating and won't open his eyes. His breeder suggested that he may have gotten a "bad cricket". I guess the crickets from Calgary have been known lately to carry a virus. Any suggestions at all. I really think I'm going to loose him. His eyes rarely open when I hold him and he's starting to open him mouth as if to struggle. This all happened so fast and the only Vet with Cham experience is in another city.
Click to expand...

FWIW, the so-called "virus" is specific to the crickets and has hit many commercial cricket producers. It doesn't affect herps who eat them as far as I've heard. Without knowing the specifics of your setup I'm sorry we couldn't help in time!
 
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