What would you guys do?

[volcom137z]

I ordered two chameleons from reptmart about 3 1/2 weeks ago. I paid for juveniles btw as well.Admiral ackbar is getting bigger by the day and seems very healthy and active. He eats like a champ and is always well hydrated. Sheldon on the other hand was tiny when I got him. He still hasn't grown from what I can tell. When I first opened the box he had his eyes closed for quite awhile. I thought he was just "sleepy" because I didn't know any better at the time. He still has eye problems btw. Also I would hear him making noises the first couple nights I had him. Well turns out now that he more than likely has a URI. I have seen him gasp ,cough and blow spit bubbles. Pretty sure he's not really eating a whole lot either because of his eyes. He mostly just chills in different spots with his eyes closed. So I emailed reptmart and they are possibly offering to replace him....... I feel bad for the little guy and want to take him to the vet but also I don't want to fork out hundreds of dollars for a problem that more than likely already existed. Would you guys take a replacement or try and fix him?

 

[Whatcamo]

I would do both he deserves the best care possible and you are the sole provider of that care get him in before it's to late no reason to let such a beautiful animal suffer and it won't be hundred cost me $50 bucks for a visit and meds for my guy if you don't want to care for him why did you get him they could get sick at any point now or a year from now and I hope you'd care for your animal a year from now sorry if I come off strong but you chose to be a Cham parent he didn't choose you and yeah it suck he came sick just be proactive about it!

 

[volcom137z]

Yes of course I want him to get better and I would feel weird getting a replacement. Just upset that he was already like that to begin with. Didn't actually think reptmart would offer that. I was just speaking my mind to them the fact I have to stress and worry about him from the very beginning upset me. Never actually asked them for a replacement.

 

[Whatcamo]

Don't get me wrong I think they owe for sure cause that is for sure wrong

 

[kirstxblue]

It seems real easy in America to get 'replacement' chams if one gets sick as soon as it's taken home. What happens to that sick cham after it gets taken back to the shop and replaced?

When we got Calvin, she came wiv a '7 day guarantee' and on the 8th friggen day she got ill. It turned out she had conjuctivitus and it cost us £60 for vet visit including medication.

We've still got her and we had to foot the bill.
I understand it might be different if it's a serious illness but I do think it's abit off that chams can just be replaced!!

 

[mdbeaver]

Vet visits cost different amounts in different states, also the closest specialist to him is a good ways away. So obviously its kinda different for people in california vs west virginia. So before you start in on the judgement, how about you think. This wasn't something he did wrong. Yes obviously if it came up in a ways that he was just sick, it would be one thing. So get your facts straight before the accusatory attitude begins. he didn't ask for this, and the fact that the poor thing is suffering is tragic but not his fault. So get off your high horse and actually think about a real perspective. I feel awful, but have you ever just thought it was dead and cried about it? I doubt it. To get something that means something to you and most likely have to watch it go downhill very fast, and be unsure if he will make it to the vet is horrible.

 

[kirstxblue]

Eerrr I never said anythin about it bein the op's fault did I?!
I'm simply sayin I think it's off that it's so easy to get replacement chams! I understand that sometimes they get take home with illness's already started but who knows what happens to the sic chams when they get taken back to the shop?

 

[volcom137z]

I doubt he would even make the trip if I had to send him back. He was very very black the other day when I went to check on him. I was pretty sure he was dead. I gently poked him a couple times and he didn't even move. He somehow sprung back to life though it gave me quite a scare.

 

[Whatcamo]

Vet visits cost different amounts in different states, also the closest specialist to him is a good ways away. So obviously its kinda different for people in california vs west virginia. So before you start in on the judgement, how about you think. This wasn't something he did wrong. Yes obviously if it came up in a ways that he was just sick, it would be one thing. So get your facts straight before the accusatory attitude begins. he didn't ask for this, and the fact that the poor thing is suffering is tragic but not his fault. So get off your high horse and actually think about a real perspective. I feel awful, but have you ever just thought it was dead and cried about it? I doubt it. To get something that means something to you and most likely have to watch it go downhill very fast, and be unsure if he will make it to the vet is horrible.

Eerrr I never said anythin about it bein the op's fault did I?!
I'm simply sayin I think it's off that it's so easy to get replacement chams! I understand that sometimes they get take home with illness's already started but who knows what happens to the sic chams when they get taken back to the shop?

I never ment it that way either I was just simply saying I'd get him to the vet and hold the vendor accountable as fully as possible!

 

[volcom137z]

Yea I think I found one within 30 miles that deals with reptiles. I'm not sure if they handle chameleons. All the places I have called so far are very misleading. They say the handle "exotics" on their websites but none of them so far deal with reptiles at all.

 

[Olimpia]

Yea I think I found one within 30 miles that deals with reptiles. I'm not sure if they handle chameleons. All the places I have called so far are very misleading. They say the handle "exotics" on their websites but none of them so far deal with reptiles at all.

Yea, I've found that a lot. Exotics means maybe birds and ferrets. You have to call around but eventually you'll find one that treats reptiles. I'm lucky that I finally found a vet here that is versed in ALL exotics, when I asked they told me "if it fits through the door, we can see it." So I go there for all my reptile issues unless I need an expert, and then I try to organize something with Dr. Alfonso in Orlando. But I know what you mean, it's tough finding a vet.

I've also been in the same spot at you, where I received an Ambilobe that I'd been wanting for almost a year (he was perfect, an almost exact replica of his father!) for a lot more money than I'd ever spent on a panther, and he arrived with an RI as well. It cost me another $120 or so for the check-up, the saliva culture, and the medicines, but he was healthy after that.

I would try to get a full refund if you want to try to save the animal, but returning him is up to you, that's your decision. Best of luck!

 

[Solid Snake]

In the time being, make sure he has good access to his basking, and keep his humidity on the lower side of the spectrum for a bit. It should help his body fight the infection. Im sorry hes sick

 

[camothe]

I would do both he deserves the best care possible and you are the sole provider of that care get him in before it's to late no reason to let such a beautiful animal suffer and it won't be hundred cost me $50 bucks for a visit and meds for my guy if you don't want to care for him why did you get him they could get sick at any point now or a year from now and I hope you'd care for your animal a year from now sorry if I come off strong but you chose to be a Cham parent he didn't choose you and yeah it suck he came sick just be proactive about it!

Ever heard of periods? It took me 5 minutes before I could comprehend this because I couldn't tell where the sentences stopped.