I have a flap-necked Chameleon. He's about 3 months old, and with his tail uncurled, about 8 inches. He's been uber sluggish lately - resting during the day, low activity level - and I've tried to keep my eye on him. Today, I was spraying his plants and when the water droplets would collect, he would desperately drink them down. I immediately grabbed a dropper and proceeded to drip water into his mouth. His water source is a dish with a bubbler. He seemed to be doing better but then he started gagging. His mouth was bubbling but he was standing at an upward angle, so the water wasn't coming out. His eyes started getting droopy and he'd open his mouth and gag harder. I took him out, tried tipping him down, and he threw up probably a 1/4 teaspoon of water. He keeps gagging and making popping sounds. Please help. What do I do?
Please help me. Chameleon is gagging.
- Thread starter isabella
- Start date
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
If he was drinking on his own, why did you take the dropper and do that? Did you inject the water into his mouth? It is possible he may have aspirated the water causing him to throw it up. Hopefully he got the water out and will be OK. Also, I would find a different method than what you are using with the water dish. Misting or using a drip per is much more sanitary.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Most will not, but on occasion some will. It is an issue of providing sanitary water also.Chameleons will only drink water that drips onto leaves and will not drink from a dish.
I use a small dripper at the top of my cage and mist 4-5 times a day
Kath44
Member
He could of aspirated. Got some fluid down his airway and lungs.
I'd get rid of the water bowl and mist leaves etc so he can drink naturally from them. You could also use a big dripper, bought or homemade.
Check the care sheets out for excellent info.
You may need a vet visit as he could develop an infection.
Kath.
I'd get rid of the water bowl and mist leaves etc so he can drink naturally from them. You could also use a big dripper, bought or homemade.
Check the care sheets out for excellent info.
You may need a vet visit as he could develop an infection.
Kath.
The spray bottle was getting water in his eyes, so I would squeeze the dropper over the mesh of the cage. It wasn't like I grabbed him and was shoving the dropper down his throat. I was trying to use a better method of getting consistent sized drops. I have two chameleons, and the other one drinks from the dish just fine. I clean their dishes out every morning. I used to have a Jackson's and he hated the dripper, and that's when I started using a dish with the bubbler. I'll look into buying another dripper. And I mist probably 3 times a day. I probably sound like a head case, worthless pet owner but I promise I'm not. I have two rescue parrots, a hedgehog, a tarantula, and chickens, on top of the two chameleons - they're all healthy and good. Hahah except for...right now...yikes. Thank you for the advice. Can he fix the aspiration problem on his own? Or will he need better help (obviously not from me)?
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
You don't sound like a worthless pet owner to me but someone who cares about their animal and is concerned. Water dishes and waterfalls are frowned upon as they seem to be a magnet for feces and bugs and you cannot be there round the clock to clean. If it works for you and you have not had issues when doing so for a long period if time then I guess we cannot fault you. How long have you used this method? I guess time will tell if he damaged himself. I don't think there is anything you can physically do at this point other than to keep an eye on his actions.
Thank you for the advice and your patience.
Thank you as well. I have used the dish for about a year now. I'll try a dripper with this guy. I trust the advice of the forum much better than the local pet store (who suggested the dish and claimed it was the better method). No idea why I listened when they labeled Cujo the incorrect species.
