Please Help 911 Issue.

[OldChamKeeper]

You mentioned Burbank.

Have you by any chance sat outside during the time span this happened to see how the sun hits the area where you had him at? I have no idea if you live near any of those tall office buildings but the sun can reflect off those and like a magnifying glass, focus the heat and light. I know of a building in San Diego that does this and you being in Burbank made me think of it.

Very sorry to hear of your little buddy being in the hospital. Hope he pulls out. Everything you described is heat stroke

 

[Cait0420]

I'm sorry to hear he's in the vet hospital! Hope he pulls through

 

[NosyBe15]

Yea no reflections or anything like that. I'm just praying he makes it through the night at the vet. My female who was 15 away in her cage is perfectly fine. But not Clarence.

 

[NosyBe15]

I just got a call from the vet.

Clarence passed away.

I can't believe this. I am devastated. He was my most prised possession. I did everything for this cham.

3 hours and he's gone.

I can't believe it.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is incredible how fragile these guys can be. I can't imagine how I would feel if this happened to one of my chams. My heart goes out to you.

 

[Mike Fisher]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Cait0420]

I'm so so sorry to hear you lost your little friend! I remember when I lost my first veild it felt like part of me died

 

[junglefries]

Was this his first time outside? Can't remember where i read it, but something about acclimating them to sun and outdoors. I start all mine off immediately as soon as possible to the outdoors. First trip (x2) is 30 min, second trip (x2) is 60 min, and so on. If he is an adult, and this was his first trip, it could have either been heat stroke or stress reaction. I have some panthers who freak OUT when it is time to go outdoors. I just limit their time and stay with them to watch. Good luck.

 

[Lazy Boy]

Very sorry for your loss

 

[Vinyonga]

Ohh, I'm so sorry D:

 

[NosyBe15]

No it wasnt his first time outside. I would take him out on weekends on walks. He wasnt stressed at all either. he was the Calmest Chameleon ive ever seen. I could walk with him to the market and he would never flare up, never hiss, never bite. Kids would pet him and he never even flinched. He loved the attention.

When I left him he was his normal basking colors. 3 hours later he was his death colors. Ill never understand this one. I still cant believe it.

He was just featured on the Reptile Report website last month. This is just unbelieve able to me.



I dont even know what to do next. I just built him a HUGE new enclosure, thats now just empty.. I woke up this morning hoping this was a dream, but nope, its not. Just a sick reality.

 

[MelissaB]

I kept checking this thread, hoping that he'd be ok. I am so sorry that this happened.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

No it wasnt his first time outside. I would take him out on weekends on walks. He wasnt stressed at all either. he was the Calmest Chameleon ive ever seen. I could walk with him to the market and he would never flare up, never hiss, never bite. Kids would pet him and he never even flinched. He loved the attention.






I'm so sorry for your loss, and I don't want to seem mean but.... Chameleons do not love attention. The less you handle them, the better. For the sake of their mental health, the less interaction with us humans, the better. Still, you obviously cared deeply for this little guy. If you do decide to get another cham.... please leave the walks out.

 

[SirToppemHat]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Iluvheidi]

Sorry for your loss, I dread something like this. I too leave my chams outside in cages from time to time, I do not cover them but they have plenty of places to get out of the sun. "really dense foliage at the bottom". maybe the ambiant temp got to hot? like did you get the towel wet then the sun made it into steam?

 

[Iluvheidi]

I would have to say It depends on your cham. I have a veiled that would rather not "hang out with me" so I dont force it apon him. I pick him up when I clean his cage and or put him out side, then right back into his cage. now my panthers on the other hand both walk but almost jump onto my hand when I put it in and I havent seen stressed colors since they were 3 months. I think I speak for a great number of cham owners when I say they have personalities. some are grumpy and some dont mind being handled. My panther rubs his eye on my fingers while shedding and when ever im around he walks to the front of the cage to walk onto my hand and up my arm to post up on my shoulders. I dont actually think they would do that if they didnt want to. Thats just the way I raise my chams, its alot better than what ive seen how people treat a chameleon. I too walk with my chams when its nice out.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

I didn't mean not handle them. I have owned both veils and panthers (loved both kinds). Yes, they do have personalities all very different from each other. Some would walk eagerly onto my hand, others would insist on throwing a hissy fit before giving in. Of course there are times when they must be handled.... cleaning their cages, taking them outside and back in... all the things you mentioned. And "yes" mine also use my hand to rub their shedding skin off. I was only addressing taking them for a walk to the store and having children touch them... They really aren't cut out for that.

 

[pigglett79]

I'm really sorry for your loss. Although I am not convinced it was heat stroke. You stated that temps were not over 81 and with a towel only covering half vertically I don't see how it could have heated up enough to cause this. I would think it is more likely that he got bit by something or it was some other cause. I just think that given the female was fine and the temps weren't that high I don't see heat stroke.

I guess we will never know for sure but don't beat yourself up over it. I know he meant a lot to you and it's a horrible situation. So sorry this happened.

 

[Carlton]

When I say covered the top half.

I should of said covered half of the top half. So like right down the middle of the cage that hung over the side. So if you were looking at it half of the top allowed for sun to come in and the other half didn't.

Obviously though, I did something incorrect.

Maybe the actual temp right where the cage happened to be sitting was a lot warmer than 81F. If there was no breeze and reflected heat from cement or structures right around the cage it could get much higher.

 

[NosyBe15]

I can't say. But there was a slight breeze and the cage was on grass. I've racked my brain on how this could happen in such a short amount of time. Right before I left I gave the cage a good 5 minute shower.

I just don't know. While at the vet we scanned him over for any bites but didn't see any marks.