my cham is now blind

[panther21]

My chameleon has been blind for about a year now. I feed him myself every few days. And have to give him a surringe full of water. His color is fine and has survived for along time this way, it is starting to be a hassel tho. I mean I care alot for him but I just feel like he hates his life not being able to see. The vet gave me treatment for him when his eye started to get infected but eventually his eyes just dried up. They are sort of sunk in and will not open, I dont think there is anything inside their. I cant imagine my eyes just drying up. I think that is what happened, the vet basically said that these are hard animals to care for and that there was really nothing more to be done. I am not looking for a solution, I am just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on what should be done and if you think he is suffering. I mean he doesnt fall but he cannot drink or eat on his own. I can take pics if anyone would like to see. I know some of you will read this and think I am a bad owner, but what can I say these are hard freaking animals to actually keep healthy and enjoy. If we are lucky they will live for a month without developing problems. I just dont think chameleons are a good pet and should just be left in the wild.

 

[NewOwner]

Well, i cant say your a bad owner, i barely know anything about what happened.. maybe wrong light i dunno.. anyways, i am completely no help, as i know nothing about keeping blind animals, but i am really curious as to the whole 'Dried up' thing goes? Please, if you dont mind, can you post pics?

 

[Syn]

Everyone has their own experiences. Sometimes you just get a chameleon with weaker genes and it'll just have more problems than most.

Yes, they are difficult to take care of. But if you love it you should continue to take care of it. I'm sure you've done the best you possibly could.

Sure, chameleons probably should be left in the wild - but they have a MUCH larger chance of dying to a predator than they do of dying of some odd disease in captivity. We can take care of them - without you taking him to the vet he would have died MUCH sooner.

You did what you could and that's what counts.

 

[panther21]

well he isnt dead. He is alive and I think he has strong genes to be able to still be alive. his eyelids and all are intacked they are just sealed shut so i dunno. I am not looking for a solution I am just seeing what people think of this phenomenon.

 

[NewOwner]

I agree COMPLETELY with you Syn,

Very well said, i agree that it probably would have died if it didnt go to the vet, and the genes thing, Lopts do get diseases, BUT im pretty sure lots are because o poor husbandry... I am no expert though..

You seem like a good Keeper, and im glad youve kept your pet alive, And in my opinion if it doesnt seem like its in pain, Let it live..

 

[panther21]

well it does get mad if you try and clean around his eyes, so there is still feeling there.

 

[beeze]

I agree.......if he's not in pain let him live out the rest of his life blind. Many people and animals live a very satisfying life blind. Many of us also do allot to keep our families and pets healthy and alive. I admire you for caring for your handicap chameleon.

 

[summoner12]

Something isn't right....

sealed shut?!

What kind of lighting do you have?

What kind of chameleon? (the one in your AV?)

Check out the UV Guide, I don't think this is a simple write off of 'oh hes just blind'

If you meet the needs of your cham they are not hard to care for and can go much more than a month without having issues.

You should fill out the 'how to ask for help' form.

 

[casidonacid]

if you really wanna try some stuff i would but a humidifier in the room give him a few 10 minute showers for like a week and see if the eye opens back up. I heard a story like this and they were able to save one eye.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Sorry to hear that your chameleon is unable to use its eyes. Are you sure it is blind? or is it just unable to open its eye? Have you sought a second opinion from a vet familiar with chameleons?

If it is in fact blind, I wouldnt assume it is having a bad life. So long is it is getting water when it needs it, food when it needs it, is able to somehow navigate towards and away from heat....
That makes me wonder, does it seem to know where the basking spot is? that would suggest it still senses the light through closed lids.

If you are finding it a hassel to care for it (I know what this is like, I had to hand feed a little runty chameleon for several years), perhaps you could find it a home with someone who is willing to take on the challenge?

 

[kinyonga]

What brand and type (compact or long linear tube) UVB light are you using on the cage?

 

[jojackson]

Get A second opinion from a reptile specialist vet. Ask the vet his/her opinion of its 'quality' of life. Why dont you pass it on to someone with the skill and patience to care for it. Im sure many folk here would be happy to adopt it. (Not possible for me)

I know some of you will read this and think I am a bad owner,

Bad owner? No, you seem to have cared till now. Quitter....Sounds like it!

but what can I say these are hard freaking animals to actually keep healthy and enjoy. If we are lucky they will live for a month without developing problems.

Nonsense. I suspect a pet rock would be right up your alley, virtually bulletproof.

I just dont think chameleons are a good pet and should just be left in the wild.

Not a good pet for you. Never get another one. I suppose you thought different when you aquired it in the first place.

Research may have changed your mind BEFORE you got one!

(kind as I can Be here, sorry)

but they have a MUCH larger chance of dying to a predator than they do of dying of some odd disease in captivity.

In favor of his 'leave them in the wild' comment, I'd say they have a much larger chance of dying due to ignorance and poor husbandry and lack of pre-buy research than they do of being eaten young in the wild! More so If some of the threads here are anything to go by.

Seriously, chameleons are kept all over the planet by millions of people, There are countless online resources, even this site, to learn whats involved in successful care, not to mention, god forbid anyone might actually get off the computer long enough to go to the library and read a book about them! You can buy everything and anything you need for them, tecknology makes it easy, and there are vets aplenty around today specialising in reptiles.

How many excuses does that leave you?

I think its fair to say a large % of dead, injured or diseased pets are the result of insufficient knowledge of the owners to care for them , not insufficient knowledge.

A person whos had an animal for more than year, who still claims

If we are lucky they will live for a month without developing problems.

Hasnt bothered to learn enough, or care enough to learn more.

 

[lietf001]

sorry to heard about ur dude! i panther die few days ago. there was few problem. first start from eye not open then i found out not shedding at all. then start not eating. then die.
but i can tell u that warm shower will help for eyes open and ppl told me is around 30degree water. it does help.
and i kow why there was many problem because i did not give me a suit enviornment... good luck.

 

[Rocky]

Get A second opinion from a reptile specialist vet. Ask the vet his/her opinion of its 'quality' of life. Why dont you pass it on to someone with the skill and patience to care for it. Im sure many folk here would be happy to adopt it. (Not possible for me)



Bad owner? No, you seem to have cared till now. Quitter....Sounds like it!



Nonsense. I suspect a pet rock would be right up your alley, virtually bulletproof.



Not a good pet for you. Never get another one. I suppose you thought different when you aquired it in the first place.

Research may have changed your mind BEFORE you got one!

(kind as I can Be here, sorry)



In favor of his 'leave them in the wild' comment, I'd say they have a much larger chance of dying due to ignorance and poor husbandry and lack of pre-buy research than they do of being eaten young in the wild! More so If some of the threads here are anything to go by.

Seriously, chameleons are kept all over the planet by millions of people, There are countless online resources, even this site, to learn whats involved in successful care, not to mention, god forbid anyone might actually get off the computer long enough to go to the library and read a book about them! You can buy everything and anything you need for them, tecknology makes it easy, and there are vets aplenty around today specialising in reptiles.

How many excuses does that leave you?

I think its fair to say a large % of dead, injured or diseased pets are the result of insufficient knowledge of the owners to care for them , not insufficient knowledge.

A person whos had an animal for more than year, who still claims



Hasnt bothered to learn enough, or care enough to learn more.

agreed...

it seems like you didn't do your adequate research.

Technically all animals should be "left in the wild" however things dont end up that way. there will always be people that want to have the "wild" animals as pets. And due to this there will always be people that export these animals.

The only thing we can hope is that the person that buys the animal (that should be in the wild) will do their research and be able to help their animal live in captivity. They are going to be in captivity no matter what. Thats why this forums is set up. I am sure 90% of the people here agree that the chameleons should be left in the wild, however if they are already here I would much rather the chameleon be in the hands of someone that does adequate research than someone who just sticks them in a crappy environment that will barely sustain his life.

 

[THECHAMMAN]

u r no bad owner, but i think they are very easy for me to keep, but i started off with proper husbandry, and maybe you just got misinformed, and he got hurt because of it. as long as he is doing good now, im very proud that you can still care for him, actually quite amazed that he could live 1 year being blind.

 

[NewOwner]

I agree with both those last posts, it seems to me like you given up on your pet cause its blind, and that you definatley did not do enough research...

 

[ciafardo 4]

Get A second opinion from a reptile specialist vet. Ask the vet his/her opinion of its 'quality' of life. Why dont you pass it on to someone with the skill and patience to care for it. Im sure many folk here would be happy to adopt it. (Not possible for me)



Bad owner? No, you seem to have cared till now. Quitter....Sounds like it!



Nonsense. I suspect a pet rock would be right up your alley, virtually bulletproof.



Not a good pet for you. Never get another one. I suppose you thought different when you aquired it in the first place.

Research may have changed your mind BEFORE you got one!

(kind as I can Be here, sorry)



In favor of his 'leave them in the wild' comment, I'd say they have a much larger chance of dying due to ignorance and poor husbandry and lack of pre-buy research than they do of being eaten young in the wild! More so If some of the threads here are anything to go by.

Seriously, chameleons are kept all over the planet by millions of people, There are countless online resources, even this site, to learn whats involved in successful care, not to mention, god forbid anyone might actually get off the computer long enough to go to the library and read a book about them! You can buy everything and anything you need for them, tecknology makes it easy, and there are vets aplenty around today specialising in reptiles.

How many excuses does that leave you?

I think its fair to say a large % of dead, injured or diseased pets are the result of insufficient knowledge of the owners to care for them , not insufficient knowledge.

A person whos had an animal for more than year, who still claims



Hasnt bothered to learn enough, or care enough to learn more.

jo jack you hit the nail on the head great response

 

[BocaJan]

I am glad you decided to post to this forum. Hopefully you will weed through the posts and pick out some helpful thoughts. I think this is a good place to start.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Definately tell us what kind of UV bulb you are using. There are certain kinds that can affect chameleon's eyesight. I don't know if after a year there is much that can be done about your poor baby's eyes, but let's hear the whole story, so it is important to fill out the questionaire. Also, I think posting a pic or two would be helpful for the more experienced folks here to decide what kind of helpful ideas we can offer.

Thank you again for posting.

 

[NewOwner]

I hope you make the right decision, and keep your cham, and let him live a happy life

 

[panther21]

Im not looking for a solution I am just asking if anyone has had a blind chameleon or heard of one living this way. Yes he does know how to bask in the light and moves around pretty good in his cage. His eyes have not been open for like a year so I dont think changing the light or whatever will help him. Thanks for the suggestions tho. I am scared to change anything because it may hinder him more. I had constructed a 3x3x6 cage with misters and plants and heat lamp and uv and all that but his eyes got infected and I took him to the vet and they gave me some meds and the eyes got worse and the vet pretty much said that he wishes people would quit getting chams, that there is really too many thing that can go wrong and most chams born in captivity are filled with parasites. He is an exotic animal vet, but with this said I am sure you guys can nit pick my posts all you want and thats fine. I knew I would get a few people that like to disect posts so thats all good, for those of you who sent me constructive posts thank you.