Please Pray for Ego

[Deathadder791]

Hi Guys, my little man fell on Saturday, after work i found him laying on the tiles. (free ranged) I picked him up slowly and carefully and looked to see if he was hurt, i could make out a small bruise between his forearms more towards the left behind his arm. I wasted no time in getting in my car and driving with one hand whilst holding him in the other to vet, to my horror i found that the Vet was closed. I then contacted the emergency number and asked for advice which could not be given to me. Let down and sad crying pretty much the whole way home, my wife and i then looked up all vet's in the area. Finally we found a vet that could have a look at him. We rushed there and they inspected Ego, they couldn't find any sign of any broken bones and they suspect he has a concussion, which they gave a dose of Cortisone. He tends to keep swaying to the left and always turns left. His left eye would turn slight to the left and then straight away looks forward again. When they put him on his right hand side, he immediately gets up and sways to the left hand side again. He doesn't eat, or drink. I took him to the vet today again for a checkup and they gave him another shot of cortisone, vitamin, antibiotic.. I managed to get a few drops of water in today, i did not want to force it as i'm scared that it would go into his lungs. I'm taking him back to the vet tomorrow for another checkup. (no one in my area specializes with chameleons due to the rarity of them in our country and the nearest specialist is 1200KM away.) I am running out of options and it hurts extremely to see him in that way. So im asking please friends, please pray for Ego, i really love him with all my heart and i do not want to loose him. He is my best friend, extremely friendly and he gets tons of love and only the best of the best of everything.

My best buddy:

 

[BMO]

Best of luck to you and Ego. I hope for a speedy recovery.

 

[laurie]

Both you and Ego have my prayers and best wishes. I will be waiting to hear how Ego is doing.

 

[NorthernCham]

How is he doing now?

 

[Devokid]

Cortisone for a concussion? That seems strange to me. Having had many, I was never given a cortisone injection for one. I thought that it could not get passed the blood/brain barrier. I suppose it could reduce swelling if injected directly into the brain, but would probably cause more problems than it helps. Is there a vet on here who can explain this to me?

 

[ponders]

So sorry to hear about Ego. He is a spitting image of my Nosy be Cobalt.

If he is not drinking, maybe the vet can give him sub-Q fluids for his hydration.

Hope he gets better soon!

 

[MelissaB]

I'm so sorry that this happened. You have my thoughts and prayers. I hope Ego gets better, soon.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Any Update please?

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi guys, Ego is still resting( correct me if im wrong, but the longer he rests, the more it will help against any swelling since when he does move he sways around from side to side possible aggravating the swelling), i haven't taken him back to the vet yet, its only scheduled for later. They gave me "Pro-Lyte with Glutomine : Electrolyte replacement with glutamine and probiotics" that i have to mix with 500ml water and then give to him. I have not done this yet as im researching it. I have attached pictures, he is currently with me at work, ive layed him down on very soft packaging foam and covered him with light towels(its cold here today), under the towels it is quite warm, but not to warm.
I don't want to move him or wake him up as i really think that the rest might help.

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi guys, just an update on Ego. The vet did Xrays and they found there is something wrong with one of his vertebra just behind his head. They are going to send the xrays to a exotics specialist in Johannesburg SA and see what she says. They gave him some more cortisone(they say it helps with inflammation. i asked as per "Devokid's" post) and some nutrient rich food via a syringe which he ate and gave him some vitamins orally instead of injections.

 

[lovelychams]

Sorry to hear about your little buddy. He is a beautiful chameleon, love the first picture that you posted. I will be thinking about you guys. Hope he gets better.

 

[FCExotics]

This story has literally brought me to tears! It's amazing what you're doing for this guy., and you can see how much you truly love the little fella. Ego will be in our thoughts and prayers and we hope for a speedy recovery. Keep us all updated! He truly is a beautiful cham and you are an amazing owner and person for doing what you are for him!

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi guys, just thought id give an update,

The specialist that had a look at Ego's xray's said that she doesn't see any internal fractures but she would rather not give him any Cortisone, as it suppresses their immune system. I will get the full report when i go and fetch Ego's antibiotics. Forcefully, he is eating and getting water(using tiny a syringe). Just concerned when he needs to poop, since he is not moving much and still swaying to the left. At night he lies against my stomach, this seems to calm him, i warm him up for about 30 minutes then put him on his soft packaging foam bed and then cover him with light blankets. He sleeps right through the night until the next morning, normally waking up around 9am.

 

[Rufi0]

I really hope Ego pulls through. The picture of him resting against your stomach before he goes to bed really hit me. You'll be in my thoughts! Get well Ego!

 

[jannb]

How's Ego doing? I've been keeping you and him in my prayers.

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi all, thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers, i really really appreciate it. Ego's still here, i realized when he got hurt his hind legs didnt have much strength. at the moment they are gripping my finger hard enough to cut off blood circulation in my finger(not constant, only when i try and pull my finger away). this might not be a sign if improvement, but is the best sign Ive got so far.

 

[laurie]

I am praying for Ero, I know your love will help him. Ever little bit of good news is wonderful. Hang in there, we are with you.

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi Guys, thought id share what it looks like when i have to feed Ego after work. His jaw muscles are really strong so trying to open his mouth without hurting him is a challenge. I would never in my life ever thought of using this type of force on him. Im always gentle with him, always move slowly but i guess in his current state, i have to get some food and water into him, but he doesn't hiss or try and bite after i open his mouth to get the tiny syringe into his mouth. (i always do it from the side, never the front as i have a fear of it going into his lungs). When he does eat it, while he is licking his lips i would put some water on his tongue. This method seems to work well. I have faith in my buddy, his a fighter!

 

[Starman]

How's Ego doing? still seeing progress every day? I hope so!

 

[Deathadder791]

Hi, he has been resting the whole day, haven't moved much, will see what he does after i give him some food after work, that's when he usually starts moving a lot. Haven't seen a big or noticeable improvement just yet, but i have faith. I guess it will take some time. Went to the vet today to fetch his meds.