Sick?

[kinyonga]

Is she pooping?
Has she been digging in the cage?

You said..."She opens her mouth randomly and acts as if she's swallowing but hasn't eaten anything in a while. When she does this, she'll puff out her chin and sometimes sling her head"..." I've noticed that she's keeping her head tilted upwards while she's just sitting there, generally eyes closed."...I don't like that she's doing these things. I also don't like it that she's rubbing her eye on the vine.

You said..."She's only had crickets for the past 2 weeks... should I find something else?"...a wider diet would be good but crickets are easy to dust and gutload.

You asked..."Am I gonna lose my girl?"...its possible. She needs to go to the vets quickly IMHO.

 

[Mystique]

Is she pooping?
Has she been digging in the cage?

You said..."She opens her mouth randomly and acts as if she's swallowing but hasn't eaten anything in a while. When she does this, she'll puff out her chin and sometimes sling her head"..." I've noticed that she's keeping her head tilted upwards while she's just sitting there, generally eyes closed."...I don't like that she's doing these things. I also don't like it that she's rubbing her eye on the vine.

You said..."She's only had crickets for the past 2 weeks... should I find something else?"...a wider diet would be good but crickets are easy to dust and gutload.

You asked..."Am I gonna lose my girl?"...its possible. She needs to go to the vets quickly IMHO.

She has pooped and and she's not digging in her cage.

In my last post, I said I'm taking her to the vet today. "I'll be taking her to the vet tomorrow to see what they think and what they can do for her and us."

Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

[kinyonga]

I just looked at your chameleon again and the rest of your post. I cant' be sure because of the piece of shed still on her arm, but I think the left elbow area looks a little odd...maybe MBD?

Hope your vet visit shed some light on your chameleon's problems!

 

[Mystique]

UPDATE:
Took Mystique to her vet appointment yesterday, rushed her 2 hours away to the nearest exotic specialist. She told me right off the bat that old world chameleons don't have a strong will to live and for her to make it out of this would be relatively a miracle. Naturally I started crying. She examined her and listened to all that I noticed was different about her from her not eating, eye bulging, the heat temp, what you guys told me, etc. She said that she was dehydrated probably from the excessive heat and to try and get her to drink whatever I could. She gave her some calcium and pretty much told me best of luck. I stayed with a friend up there so I could be close to the vet in case something went wrong. We kept her temperature moderate and I was giving her water with an eye dropper. I got her some waxworms which she loved but didn't even bother with them. I tried hand feeding but that didn't work either. Later on she seemed to perk up a bit and even opened both eyes. I kind of got my hopes up. Put her to bed and checked on her throughout the night, she seemed relatively the same. When I woke up this morning she was laying flat. I tried to coax some water in her but it was no good. A few minutes later she started writhing and thrashing. Called the vet and she said the end was inevitable. She passed just after 9 this morning.

I know all of this is my fault so please don't point that out... I feel bad enough as it is. I thank you all for the information you gave me and appreciate it very much. I doubt I'll ever get another chameleon but if I do at least I'll have the appropriate knowledge.

 

[dodolah]

Hi Tanya.. I am sorry to hear that she passed away
I was hoping good news. my condolences.
Just a bit of word about some of the "anecdotal" facts that people (including vet) use to spread.
First of all,

UPDATE:
She told me right off the bat that old world chameleons don't have a strong will to live

This is simply not true. Chameleons actually are strong creatures. Their adaptations allow them to mask their illness and to say healthy for quite a while. Usually, when chameleons display obvious symptoms, the disease already in advanced stage.

Therefore, it becomes our duty as the owner to spot any slight weird behavior and slight symptoms of sickness.

I doubt I'll ever get another chameleon but if I do at least I'll have the appropriate knowledge.

This is simply a case of misinformation.
Actually, to tell you the truth, I experienced this as well in the past long long time ago (yes.. from the same store brand.. advised by the reptile "expert" over there).
That is why I am too familiar with your setup.
Basically, I set everything the same with you. But, luckily, I researched well enough to spot a sick chameleon. Within 3 days, he start sleeping. I bring the chameleon back to the store. and the same "staff" told me that he was just probably too tired and decide to sleep during the day.
That raised my alarm and I told him that it is abnormal for chameleon to sleep during the day. Suffice to say, I refund everything to them (including the chameleon) and told them to put all their chams to the vet.
(i never knew if they actually did it.. but suffice to say, i made a quite ruckus over there, they no longer selling chameleons anymore)..

The next time, I decided to have a chameleon. I researched like crazy and that's how I find this forum and how i found top chameleon breeders. What a completely different experience..
And from then on, chameleon is a part of my life. and I enjoyed taking care of them so much.

 

[jannb]

I am so sorry to hear that she didn't make it. Jann

 

[Mystique]

This is simply a case of misinformation.
Actually, to tell you the truth, I experienced this as well in the past long long time ago (yes.. from the same store brand.. advised by the reptile "expert" over there).
That is why I am too familiar with your setup.
Basically, I set everything the same with you. But, luckily, I researched well enough to spot a sick chameleon. Within 3 days, he start sleeping. I bring the chameleon back to the store. and the same "staff" told me that he was just probably too tired and decide to sleep during the day.
That raised my alarm and I told him that it is abnormal for chameleon to sleep during the day. Suffice to say, I refund everything to them (including the chameleon) and told them to put all their chams to the vet.
(i never knew if they actually did it.. but suffice to say, i made a quite ruckus over there, they no longer selling chameleons anymore)..

The next time, I decided to have a chameleon. I researched like crazy and that's how I find this forum and how i found top chameleon breeders. What a completely different experience..
And from then on, chameleon is a part of my life. and I enjoyed taking care of them so much.

I just feel so terrible about losing her and I know it's my fault. I don't think I can get over that.:S I love reptiles so I'm thinking of getting an easier reptile, perhaps a crested gecko, and after some success (hopefully) I can feel more confident. Granted I'll be doing so much more research before purchasing and NEVER again from a place like Petsmart.

Again, I thank you all for the sympathies and advice.

 

[laurie]

I just feel so terrible about losing her and I know it's my fault. I don't think I can get over that.:S I love reptiles so I'm thinking of getting an easier reptile, perhaps a crested gecko, and after some success (hopefully) I can feel more confident. Granted I'll be doing so much more research before purchasing and NEVER again from a place like Petsmart.

Again, I thank you all for the sympathies and advice.

My sister is the reptile rescue person for the Springfield, MO zoo. She knows reptile people all over southern mo. i know she belongs to a herp club by FT Lenard Wood, club is in St Roberts. Anyway if you want another reptile, send me your phone number in a PM, not on the open forum and I will have my sister call you. Or you can email me at [email protected] Lee takes in all kinds of reptiles that she has to find homes for so I am sure she could get one you would like.

Best of luck

 

[warpdrive]

ah, FT Lenard Wood...
I did basic training there back in 1985. good times, and small world Laurie.
man, 1985...I'm getting old fast!

oops, sorry for the threadjack.


Mystique,

if I'm not mistaken you were given the wrong advice. you also got the animal from a bad place.
please don't get so down on yourself.

if you ask me, the best thing to do is PM Laurie and maybe a few others here on this forum...get yourself another chameleon.
trust me, with all that you've learned, and all you will learn, your new healthy chameleon will bring joy back into your life...and just think what joy you will bring to that new chameleon.

Harry

 

[jdareef]

Very sorry to hear about your loss.
Best wishes!
-Joseph

 

[Minpin1985]

Tips

Ok so I don't feel bad for you but I do feel bad that a chameleon died because of your lack of research. BEFORE you bought it you should have done proper research. Then you would have known that what the petstore told you was wrong. Anytime you are getting a new pet, always do proper research before!!! I am sorry if I am being a little harsh but it just makes me angry when I see people that just go out and buy pets without doing research. That has to be the biggest reason why chameleons die. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes. Another thing you should always know before you get a pet is symptoms that indicate sickness and search to see what symptoms point to what illnesses. I think a bunch of people have provided you on here with great information in proper care for chameleons. The first thing I would have changed was the lighting. I would recommend a 5.0 Reptisun linear, (long) tube light with the proper light fixture for it. Basking light: One way to lower the temp in the cage is by making a light clamp stand out of pvc and fastening the light fixture for the heat light up higher than the cage: this will lower the temps in the cage because the temp was way too hot. Also you shouldn't mist it 4 to 6 times a day, what I recommend is 3 times daily for longer periods of misting and getting a plant, I use hibiscus, which helps humidity. A important thing you should know is you NEED a dripper system for the chameleon. I believe that your chameleon was too hot, and also dehydrated and possibly had the start of Metabolic Bone Disease = MBD because of the heat, lack of a drip system for drinking and lack of calcium/vitamin dusting on the food source and lack of gutloading crickets with proper fruits/veges (lack of calcium in diet would lead to MBD). Another tip is don't use substrates with chameleons. This can cause problems such as impaction if the chameleon accidentally ingested it, or calcium sand substrates can lead to them having too much calcium too. I just stick with paper towels layered in the bottom of the cage that can easily be changed out daily. One more thing is the chameleon needed more things to climb. Those pics of the set up showed a lack of material it should have to climb. The last thing is I would change to a all screened enclosure or perhaps as some people have bought, New Large/Tall bird cages which prevents nails from getting caught in the screen. And as a last tip, whenever you are getting a new pet, make sure you have a local vet that can help if you have problems in the future.

 

[Carlton]

You realize this thread is over a year old, right? Check the dates!

 

[Carlton]

Also you shouldn't mist it 4 to 6 times a day, what I recommend is 3 times daily for longer periods of misting and getting a plant, I use hibiscus, which helps humidity. A important thing you should know is you NEED a dripper system for the chameleon. I believe that your chameleon was too hot, and also dehydrated and possibly had the start of Metabolic Bone Disease = MBD because of the heat, lack of a drip system for drinking and lack of calcium/vitamin dusting on the food source and lack of gutloading crickets with proper fruits/veges (lack of calcium in diet would lead to MBD). The last thing is I would change to a all screened enclosure or perhaps as some people have bought, New Large/Tall bird cages which prevents nails from getting caught in the screen. And as a last tip, whenever you are getting a new pet, make sure you have a local vet that can help if you have problems in the future.

Just a few comments about your post

No, you don't absolutely NEED a dripper. Many chams never use them and it's dangerous to rely on one entirely. I haven't used them for years. If you mist and humidify correctly a dripper is not required.

Heat and dehydration don't contribute to MBD.

Screen cages may not work in some climates. Partial solid walled habitats are appropriate in some areas. It's a generalization that can't be supported.

 

[Minpin1985]

I didn't read the dates, sorry!

Ok, so first of all I didn't notice the dates! OOPSY! Sorry about that. In regards to the dripper, first of all I believe I said they were tips, not set in stone, but as for a dripper I believe that it is a matter of opinion. In my opinion, however, I believe that people should always have a dripper. If you don't you risk dehydration, which to me is too big of a risk. AND I have never heard anyone say that if you mist and humidify correctly that they don't need a dripper. In my opinion, they do. That's all I will say about that. About the heat and dehydration leading to MBD??? I didn't say that it did. I kept putting the "and" in the sentence which I believe doesn't mean that heat and dehydration LEADS to MBD! Did I say that it contributes to MBD anywhere in that paragraph. I was just giving tips. Trying to help. Obviously people don't want it. About the all screened cage, I said "I WOULD CHANGE" that doesn't mean anyone has to. I thought of putting that a partially solid and partially screened enclosure was a good idea too but then decided not to. I myself have a cage that is partially solid and partially screened. Two sides solid, two screen. So again I didn't put anything wrong down or bad advice, but I just gave some tips from my opinions. I also said that many people in this thread have also put in good advice and I am sure that someone else in this thread also said a dripper might be a good idea. Sorry if I offended you or anything.