Oh Boy, Is He Mad At Me...

[Jen0413]

Last week I opened Espio's enclosure door to let him out so he can explore, he's about 8 months old and loves exploring the house. Generally he climbs down and takes off to explore, for some reason he decided to climb on top of his enclosure and before I could pull a chair over to move his lights his leg touched the lamp case for his basking light. He got a minor burn from it. Took him to the vet and we got him some cream for the burn that prevents infection.

Now Espio is usually pretty fond of me. He comes out when I put my hand in, eats from my hand with no problem, and I usually only handle him a couple times a week. Now we are having to take him out more for his medicine and he has suddenly decided I'm the bringer of all things bad. If I put my hand in his cage he puffs up and gapes at me. He refuses to eat from my hand. I even bought superworms as a treat and he'll eat them in his terrarium, but not from my hand. It breaks my heart that he doesn't like me (as much as a chameleon can like a person) anymore.

Do you think he'll forgive me and we can rebuild our bond after his medication is complete and I don't have to pester him as much? How can I help him feel safe with me again? I'm the one that feeds him, and oddly enough that's the only time he doesn't get upset with me being in his terrarium. It's like he can sense I'm getting his breakfast ready vs getting his medicine ready.

 

[JosieJobo]

Get him out do his meds then give him food a treet or out in the sun a shower somthing he likes doing or on your sholder just wandering about so he get use to you and remembers the good times not the pain of putting cream on his leg xx

 

[FlChamMom]

Every time I have had to give meds ( Try giving them a shot! Good times...) They usually hate me for a little while after. I usually leave them alone but still offer treats by hand. After a week or so their tiny brains forget the bad and I am once again the bridge to the outdoor cage and free range. It's great that you were proactive with the injury- he will be better soon!

 

[Jen0413]

Whew. I'm glad they tend to get over it. I feel awful he doesn't see me as a good thing anymore, but I'd rather him be mad and healthy than hurt.

 

[werecat]

We had this happen just a few months after getting our chameleon. He was just beginning to come around to us as he is by nature pretty shy. We had to start treating an eye infection and that involved me holding him while my husband either squirted saline or ointment into his eye. As he got wise to what was happening, he would fight it more and it got to be more and more miserable for everyone! We had to do this on and off for months as no treatment seemed to work. Needless to say he developed major trust issues with us. However, with much patience and time he seems to have come around. He will never be the super friendly cham I hoped for, but I don't think he ever would have been. As I said, he's shy by nature.

My method in the last few months has been rewarding him for every little thing he does, especially if it involves us. Luckily his weakness is silkworms! Come out of the cage by yourself = worm. Climb onto my hand = worm. Trip outside = worm. Trip in carrier (to vet, chameleon meetings, etc) = worm. I try never to force an interaction and if I can tell he is the least bit uncomfortable I back off and leave him alone.

I'd guess that my case is extreme, but if my little guy can come around, I'm sure yours will too. Just be patient... very, very, very patient!