Seen something concerning

[pascal2023]

I’ve had someone in contact with me on Instagram for the last few days talking to me about a chameleon they found in the wild that they have kept. They weren’t sure if it was male or female to begin and we now know it’s a male because of the back feet. She sent photos to me of him and he looks extremely sickly and has an infection in its mouth. From what I gather she doesn’t have an enclosure or any lighting or basking system for this chameleon, I believe she has been given some cream to put on her millions infection but she said the vets where she lives aren’t reptile specialist. She was given this cream about three days ago and has only put it on for one day and is wondering why it isn’t working, I have explained that she needs to keep on with the course of antibiotics and medication that has been given but I also don’t want to give the wrong advice. Since this charm looks in such a terrible state, I am not hating on this person and I believe she took the chameleon in from the wild because she thought it was sickly. Any advice would be great for her I think so if anyone has instagram and couple contact her that would be great, I said another vets opinion might be a good idea. Or any info i could pass on would be good too.

As I mention that I’m not here to judge or hate, I just feel bad for the chameleon, should I attach photos that were sent to me ?

 

[Sonny13]

I’ve had someone in contact with me on Instagram for the last few days talking to me about a chameleon they found in the wild that they have kept. They weren’t sure if it was male or female to begin and we now know it’s a male because of the back feet. She sent photos to me of him and he looks extremely sickly and has an infection in its mouth. From what I gather she doesn’t have an enclosure or any lighting or basking system for this chameleon, I believe she has been given some cream to put on her millions infection but she said the vets where she lives aren’t reptile specialist. She was given this cream about three days ago and has only put it on for one day and is wondering why it isn’t working, I have explained that she needs to keep on with the course of antibiotics and medication that has been given but I also don’t want to give the wrong advice. Since this charm looks in such a terrible state, I am not hating on this person and I believe she took the chameleon in from the wild because she thought it was sickly. Any advice would be great for her I think so if anyone has instagram and couple contact her that would be great, I said another vets opinion might be a good idea. Or any info i could pass on would be good too.

As I mention that I’m not here to judge or hate, I just feel bad for the chameleon, should I attach photos that were sent to me ?

Pictures can always help. Where does she live?

 

[Beman]

When people contact you on social. Give them the forum info. Tell them to come here make an account and post a thread. This is honestly the best way to ensure someone gets the help they may need.

 

[pascal2023]

When people contact you on social. Give them the forum info. Tell them to come here make an account and post a thread. This is honestly the best way to ensure someone gets the help they may need.

Think there is a bit of a language barrier but I’m trying to explain best I can to her that she should come here and read, I’ve sent a link to but I don’t think she wants to

 

[pascal2023]

Pictures can always help. Where does she live?

She told me she’s from an Arabic country, not entirely sure where

I’ve explained the cham needs lighting and an enclosure, at the moment it doesn’t have anything and this is the light she’s using

I think this person mentioned the red thing is a sweet of some sort and would like to add I’ve not given any medical advice as I’ve never seen anything like this before, is irl some sort of mouth rot ?

 

[Sonny13]

wow, very difficult this. Everything is wrong but probably she can’t get the right stuff either. Depends where she’s really from, but my guess (assuming due the wild caught) would be Yemen or somewhere close. It would definitely need a vet intervention and letting her joining the forum would be the best advice.

 

[MissSkittles]

That poor cham has been thru some stuff. Where are the poor things claws even? Has she said anything like what happened to cause the jaw to become so swollen?

 

[pascal2023]

wow, very difficult this. Everything is wrong but probably she can’t get the right stuff either. Depends where she’s really from, but my guess (assuming due the wild caught) would be Yemen or somewhere close. It would definitely need a vet intervention and letting her joining the forum would be the best advice.

This is exactly what I explained to her but she has disagreed with everything I’ve suggested, from basking lamp to UVB, not needing an enclosure ect. Unfortunately can’t help everyone who doesn’t want to take advice, I hope that cham gets the help it needs

 

[pascal2023]

That poor cham has been thru some stuff. Where are the poor things claws even? Has she said anything like what happened to cause the jaw to become so swollen?

From what I made out it had cut itself in her home, but I’m honestly not sure

 

[Beman]

Without proper vet care and husbandry that baby is not going to make it. Looks to me like a huge infection going on with that bottom jaw.

 

[pascal2023]

Without proper vet care and husbandry that baby is not going to make it. Looks to me like a huge infection going on with that bottom jaw.

I’m gutted for that chameleon, spoke to her again and she said it was perfectly healthy when it was taken from outside, and a couple weeks later while it was in her care he got an infection from a cut inside his mouth. Sadly as I mentioned he has no enclosure, lighting or misting system and no calcium/ vitamins ect and yes it looks terrible really sad to see

 

[Beman]

I’m gutted for that chameleon, spoke to her again and she said it was perfectly healthy when it was taken from outside, and a couple weeks later while it was in her care he got an infection from a cut inside his mouth. Sadly as I mentioned he has no enclosure, lighting or misting system and no calcium/ vitamins ect and yes it looks terrible really sad to see

Yep mouth rot... This is why I would say not to interact with those on social seeking help other than to invite them to join the forum.

 

[pascal2023]

Yep mouth rot... This is why I would say not to interact with those on social seeking help other than to invite them to join the forum.

Yeah I’ve been sending her links and telling her to join the forum but that’s out of my control wether she does or not, hopefully she does

 

[MzLaurie11]

It is very possible that internet limitations dont allow her to surf the net to come here. Its also possible as a woman there are additional restrictions in place that you are not aware of. I would just do your best to educate her on chameleons needs. Tell her to take him out in the sun everyday! Get a cotton ball or towel and drip water onto his mouth. explain to her where the opening to his lungs are. if she cant buy feeders, catch them and crush them up and feed to him. i know this goes against our advice for wild caught feeders, but this is a dire situation. He can eat greens, lettuce, collard greens etc. which she should wash tear into medium size pieces and put in a bowel for him to see if he will eat. By the look of his casque, he is very young. i looked up the med you posted and it does have antibiotic and antiinflamatory properties that can absorb into your system. So if she administers the right amount three times a day externally only it may help with the infection in the mouth. If he gets better, i would tell her since she cannot get the right things he needs to care for him properly that she should release him at a place that has trees and water without human intervention. This is a hard one pascal.