Taking Ryker to the vet

[Andee]

Ryker is turning 5 maybe 6 this year. I honestly don't remember cause I haven't looked back yet lol. But he's going into the vet for possibly the last time. He got severely burned for the first time in 2 years a few months ago. I adjusted things again but it looks like he is infected in an area. He won't drink and I can't get him to eat. And I refuse to keep him alive if he's in pain and unhappy. The only reason he's still going is cause he's been enjoying life still.... idk... I will be asking a lot of questions today, but today may be the day I have to put my old man down and I am strongly aware of this and scared. But also accepting of why. I will keep you guys updated.

 

[Andee]

I had to put him down... I forgot how bad it was.... I knew it was bad but forgot just how bad.... I feel so raw.... I sometimes wonder why I keep doing this

 

[jannb]

I am so sorry to hear this Amber. My heart goes out to you. Know that you did all that you could possibly do for him. Sleep tight Ryker.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

I am truly sorry for your loss. I am sure you and the vet knew that was the best decision but also one of the hardest. R.I.P. Ryker.

 

[Sloppysponge]

I am so sorry Amber.

 

[JacksJill]

You made a very hard decision. My heart breaks for you. Know that you have always done the best for him even when it came to letting him go somewhere beyond pain. Remember him in the warm sunshine happily eating bugs.

 

[jamest0o0]

Very sorry to hear this amber!

 

[bobbydigital]

Im sorry to hear this. I'm going through the same situation with my Moe, and it's tearing me up inside.

 

[Remkon]

I'm sorry for your loss...
Crappy day today.

 

[Twitchet]

I’m so sorry Andee, my heart goes out to you,
A sad day today for sure.
R.I.P all our little ones we love and sadly loose.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I had to put him down... I forgot how bad it was.... I knew it was bad but forgot just how bad.... I feel so raw.... I sometimes wonder why I keep doing this

Oh Amber I’m so very sorry . This is a really sucky day . 2 beautiful boys have left this world today . You gave Ryker so many wonderful years most could not have . RIP beautiful boy .

 

[Andee]

I agree this is a crappy day. That full on describes it. At least Ryker was old though.... Wurma I feel died before his time Remko....

Im sorry to hear this. I'm going through the same situation with my Moe, and it's tearing me up inside.

I am so sorry to hear that Bobby. I am hoping Moe is an old man and just hitting that age like Ryker did where things were going wrong cause of age and stuff. I don't remember Moe's story, not sure if I learned it but I feel kind of shocked today so feel lucky I even got a shipment out.


Much love to everyone and their support. My heart goes out too all who are battling illness with their little scaled loves, asking that hard question, facing the end of their time together, or have already lost them. Their life spans are so so short and with each one I lose I feel it stronger than any other animal I have lost yet. I grieve more with these guys. It's insane how much I can love something that as a general species tolerates my presence at best XD. And even though I continue to question why I put myself through this heart ache I can't imagine not having at least one chameleon in my life all the time.

 

[Longhorn1234]

I'm so sorry for your loss Amber!

 

[bobbydigital]

@Andee moe is only about 2. He's my second cham and also second rescue from petco. He had a respiratory infection when I got him and developed gout shortly after. When I originally posted his diagnosis you commented and gave me recipes that you used for your service dog if I'm not mistaken. He's just been going downhill lately, falling a lot and finding him at the bottom of the cage, lethargic and not eating. He's still drinking but I feel the gout is finally getting the best of him. He was doing so good then out of nowhere this happened. His tail became limp a couple months ago as well, but at the tip he still tries to curl it and is barely able to. I'm just so torn. My last rescue was a traumatic experience and she died in my hands. She was choking on her tongue and would spit it out and unable to retract it and would bite down on it. Eventually she bit it off and a long with a bad respiratory infection she passed away. I got moe because he was going to die in the conditions he was in at petco. I feel the same way as you, as I can't imagine not having a chameleon in my life. But I don't think I can handle taking anymore rescues, it's too hard on me. Sorry for ranting, but you all on the forums are the only ones who will understand me. Everyone else thinks I'm crazy. We're doing all we can and that's all that matters. Ryker was blessed to have you as his keeper.

 

[Andee]

I get it sweetie. I think a lot of people here do. But maybe you need to go for a healthy chameleon next time. Get your strength back before doing another rescue. I often have a healthier cham while also having a more intensive rescue. Rescuing and rehabbing takes a lot of work and a lot of our energy in multiple ways. Sometimes we do have to put ourselves first after a rescue passes and recharge with a healthy chameleon. I am so sorry about Moe.... he sounds like a fighter like Ryker was. But sometimes it's up to us to make the decision to let them rest and help them let go. I will support whatever you decide.

 

[Wildwilson]

All chams go to heaven.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

@Andee moe is only about 2. He's my second cham and also second rescue from petco. He had a respiratory infection when I got him and developed gout shortly after. When I originally posted his diagnosis you commented and gave me recipes that you used for your service dog if I'm not mistaken. He's just been going downhill lately, falling a lot and finding him at the bottom of the cage, lethargic and not eating. He's still drinking but I feel the gout is finally getting the best of him. He was doing so good then out of nowhere this happened. His tail became limp a couple months ago as well, but at the tip he still tries to curl it and is barely able to. I'm just so torn. My last rescue was a traumatic experience and she died in my hands. She was choking on her tongue and would spit it out and unable to retract it and would bite down on it. Eventually she bit it off and a long with a bad respiratory infection she passed away. I got moe because he was going to die in the conditions he was in at petco. I feel the same way as you, as I can't imagine not having a chameleon in my life. But I don't think I can handle taking anymore rescues, it's too hard on me. Sorry for ranting, but you all on the forums are the only ones who will understand me. Everyone else thinks I'm crazy. We're doing all we can and that's all that matters. Ryker was blessed to have you as his keeper.

@bobbydigital my little girl as well came from Petsmart . She as well battles URI about every 3 month , with some other weird unheard of issues . I completely understand where you are coming from . I think every time she gets sick this will be it , I will have to make a sicking decision . I love her so much , frances is so special because of how sick she has been, she has very specialized care all the time . It’s also been a blessing keeping her . She is going to be 3 this July , we also have a beautiful 4 month old Phoebe veiled sweet as can be one of @jannb. Healthy as a horse and of course our handsome port chop sweet boy Septiseye, healthy as a horse . I completely understand never getting another Petco or Petsmart chameleon . I’m praying for your boy .

 

[jajeanpierre]

I had to put him down... I forgot how bad it was.... I knew it was bad but forgot just how bad.... I feel so raw.... I sometimes wonder why I keep doing this

I'm so sorry.

 

[Andee]

I'm so sorry.

Thanks Janet, it was time, if he wasn't going to enjoy life there was no reason to keep him going since he couldn't feed himself and stuff. And the last few days he was off and the burn was on his spine with the skin slouching off his spinenwould be exposed. It was just not safe and he needed to rest. He went faster than usual and that shows in my opinion that he was ready. I don't know why he got burned honestly. But his sensitivity to heat and the artificial lights has always been something weird. All I was using was a 60nwatt house bulb in a massive deep dome. But.... he was ready, he was old and i have to accept it just will take time to heal. He will be buried under a young apricot tree in my grandma's backyard and help bring that tree strength and life as it grows. Which may sound horrible to some but I feel since he was so strong in his life I feel it's fitting.