Human health concerns

[javsto]

I was recently hospitalized with a post operative infection and was on IV antibiotics for two months, both in hospital and at home. I just realized yesterday that one of my chams was not eating like normal and that both of his eyes are constantly closed and sunken in. He also has this brown crusty growth or accumulation on one side of his mouth and appears to be gasping for breath. I called my local pet ER and their lizard/reptile specialist is only available on Tuesday and Thursday and they are not open on sunday either.

So my current concern, not that Im not worried about my cham mind you, is it possible for humans to catch reptile illnesses or infections since my recent lowered immunity condition?? I have handled him to try to take a pic with my IPOD and upload it here but I seem to be having problems doing so. I have used Anti Bacterial lotion and washed with soap and water. Also for my chams health, is there anything that I can give him that I can buy over the counter or how ever I may until I can get him to the specialist in the next three days?

 

[SaintJimmy]

I was recently hospitalized with a post operative infection and was on IV antibiotics for two months, both in hospital and at home. I just realized yesterday that one of my chams was not eating like normal and that both of his eyes are constantly closed and sunken in. He also has this brown crusty growth or accumulation on one side of his mouth and appears to be gasping for breath. I called my local pet ER and their lizard/reptile specialist is only available on Tuesday and Thursday and they are not open on sunday either.

So my current concern, not that Im not worried about my cham mind you, is it possible for humans to catch reptile illnesses or infections since my recent lowered immunity condition?? I have handled him to try to take a pic with my IPOD and upload it here but I seem to be having problems doing so. I have used Anti Bacterial lotion and washed with soap and water. Also for my chams health, is there anything that I can give him that I can buy over the counter or how ever I may until I can get him to the specialist in the next three days?

You should not give him any medication until you know what the problem is. It sounds like URI but please do not take advice from anyone who is not a reptile vet.

You state you are "not worried about the cham" and in my opinion that is very cruel to not even care about the chameleon's health and rather worry over it, when you can easily avoid touching the chameleon if the disease were contagious.

Just quit handling the chameleon and you will not have to worry about the contagiousness (for the most part). I hope someone else (a professional) chimes in to help you with the over-the-counter meds thing but really I would not recommend anything before you see a vet.

 

[sandrachameleon]

the OP said NOT that he's not worried. Its a double negative. so he means he (or she) is worried. as he (or she) should be.

what I would do is call around and find another vet - even if its in another city a couple hours away.

in the meantime, ensure there is plenty of water (is the chameleon able to drink?) and allow for slightly warmer than norm temps

you're not going to catch anything, but do keep washing your hands.

 

[javsto]

Thank you Sandra for understanding what I meant to say, I am very worried about my pet, whether its the scaley or the furry or the feathery variety and do take care of them when I am able too. Since I have been home I have had been using a room heater to warm it up some since the temps here in

NY have dropped steadily over the past couple of weeks, especially at night. I normally run his mister for several minutes but am worried about watering him directly into his mouth and accidentally forcing water down the wrong way and causing him more injury. Right now as Im wrting this, he is at the bottom of the cage close to the heating unit as he can get instead of his normal perch at the top of the cage just under the ceramic lamp. As far as the vet is concerned, I did call several in my area and only two out of the six in my local area are reptile specialists and neither is open tomorrow, Sunday.

 

[kplatvoet]

I have a vet in Franklin Boro NJ (07416) who is open till one on Sundays- Advanced Vet (he also has 24 hr emergency care)
Advanced Veterinary Care, Inc. https://www.facebook.com/avcnj
I would not call the Vet a Chameleon specialist but he does treat reptiles
I took my baby Jackson to him for what I thought was a URI but he was only 3 grams at the time and the Vet didn't what to give him antibotics as he was so small- and was still active and eating & drinking
He had me up the temps and use a humidifier but also said that if he was even 10 grams it would be easier to treat as he would not be as worried about the dose. I told him I already had a humidifier and he said to make sure if it was a hot air to clean it before using and often - (mine is a cool mist) as bacteria grows quickly in them-
I am a newbie - I don't know if the advise was bad or good - my Jackson got better- so I'm assuming good. I'm pretty sure my Jackson is a girl not a boy and he didn't mention it (very small horns not growing) I don't know how far away from Long Island - (it's a long island)

 

[Decadancin]

Hey Long Island,

I'm not sure if they have a reptile vet, but I used to go to Islip Animal Hospital on Rt 111 (south of Sunrise Hwy.) You could try giving them a call. (631) 581-6644
Also, the Sunrise Veterinary Group (in West Islip) 631-792-7394. Dr. Thode is most likely the one you want to see. She has reptiles herself! (I hav not used this vet, but I know of them.)They are closed Sunday, but open at 8 am all other days. You may want to call and see if they have an emergency line for Sundays if it gets worse.

As for you catching something from your cham, not likely. However, if your enclosure has some dirty spots and bacteria grows, you could get infections that way. Just make sure to keep it and your hands clean!

 

[javsto]

Hey Long Island,

I'm not sure if they have a reptile vet, but I used to go to Islip Animal Hospital on Rt 111 (south of Sunrise Hwy.) You could try giving them a call. (631) 581-6644
Also, the Sunrise Veterinary Group (in West Islip) 631-792-7394. Dr. Thode is most likely the one you want to see. She has reptiles herself! (I hav not used this vet, but I know of them.)They are closed Sunday, but open at 8 am all other days. You may want to call and see if they have an emergency line for Sundays if it gets worse.

As for you catching something from your cham, not likely. However, if your enclosure has some dirty spots and bacteria grows, you could get infections that way. Just make sure to keep it and your hands clean!

Yes the one on Sunrise is the bi-weekly vet specialist that I was referring to earlier but, alas, when I woke up this morning I sadly noticed that my little Green Manaleesh was lying on his side on the bottom of the cage, tongue protruding from his mouth and more of what Im assuming is vomit in a pool around his head. I also noticed a large number of dead crickets which I didn't notice last night also on the bottom of his cage. I had purchased two hundred the other day from my local vendor and split them between my Jackson and my Vieled and some of his were also dead on his cage as well so Im assuming that there is a problem with the crickets? I have since cleaned out all of the dead and living crickets that haven't been eaten and plan on going to another store and buying some more in case that the feeders are the problem. I sadly also had to dispose of the dead Jackson, with gloves, and cleaned out his cage as best as possible with Clorox wipes.

 

[sandrachameleon]

sorry for your loss

 

[ridgebax1]

So sorry you lost your little guy.

 

[MelissaB]

I'm so sorry you lost him. I hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[Decadancin]

Very sorry to hear this. RIP little one.

 

[Milgro12]

I am very sorry for you loss I hope you feel better.

 

[javsto]

Thank you all for your kind words and I thankfully am fully recovered. I just wish that I had noticed earlier how he was feeling and was quicker to act to save him. The next time Im sick or have to leave my house for an extended period of time I will have to leave him under the care of someone with experience in reptile care and housing.

 

[Kiwiflage]

That's all you can do. How is your other cham? Did it have a chance to eat any of the potentially hazardous crickets?

 

[SaintJimmy]

I am sorry I came off as arrogant. I now understand what you were trying to say.

I am so sorry for your loss. We all know what it is like to lose a pet or a loved one. We will be here for you.