A Little Story - My First Rescue Chameleon

[tHeGiNo]

I was doing my routine trip to the local super pet to pick up some worms, when a poster on a poster board caught my eye. It was seeking someone to rescue a chameleon. I immediately took down the number and attempted to call. No one was home, however I finally was able to reach them later that night. We then drove two hours to pick him up, and I didn't get the chance to check him out on scene as he was already packed. Upon arrival at home, it had seemed like he had previously had MBD. He seemed to have healed from this, however I thought his grip was still a little weak. Not knowing his condition, I immediately took him in the shower for a nice long drink. He seemed to have enjoyed that, and exited the shower looking a lot better. I have set him up temporarily in a relatively small aquarium to permit ease in monitoring. They had explained that he had gone off eating two weeks prior, so I knew I had to work on that as fast as possible. Being late at night, my resources were slim and I therefore put everything off until the next day. At this point, I had picked up some ingredients to make a bug juice. This consisted of crickets, silkworms, hornworms and waxworms - all blended up, along with Ensure Plus, Pedialyte and raw egg yolk. Even though he might have been willing to feed off worms, I figured he would need and benefit from the added vitamins and necessary supplements. I loaded him up with this that day, along with plenty of opportunities to drink. Today, I offered him several worms and I am glad to say that he readily ate them for me. This included silk worms, wax worms and horn worms. He ate quite a bit at that! I am still unable to get him to eat crickets, but that might not be a problem.

Now taking him out for a visual examination, I can say his grip has already improved tremendously and he is looking a great deal better. I have the holes in my hand to prove it! However, I am feeling that it will still be necessary for a vet trip, which will occur this Thursday.

I will try to grab some pictures, and keep you all updated on his progress.

[meow_mix450]

lol good job, thumbs up. Thats very nice of you! lol the story is great, but wut species LOL!!!!!:p veiled? wow poor little guy, ya should find a cage soon, tank might not last to long lol. Good luck, looking forward to the pics! which superpet???kenddy(spelling)

Meow

[tHeGiNo]

Whoops! Yes, it is a Veiled Chameleon. I can't say the Super Pet publically but if you want to know I will send you a PM. Also, I build my own cages so that isn't a problem. However, should he have MBD, providing a large cage makes broken bones a lot more futile and likely. That is why, initially, I am keeping him in a tank. It also helps to allow me to monitor him easier.

[meow_mix450]

ya, keep him in there for now, wait a few days or weeks, let him heal, but while your at it start the cage;) o dont worry about the store, just wondering if you go to the one i go lol, best of luck

Meow

[tHeGiNo]

Yep, don't worry I know what I am doing, lol. I have a screened enclosure for him just about finished, just a few touch ups to do.

[meow_mix450]

looking forward to pics:)

Meow

[choriona]

That was very nice of you to rescue him. It is a tough decision to make after you've done it a few times. Sometimes what they need is beyond your means.
You may want to use a rubbermaide type container of similiar size to your tank...instead of the stress of seeing his reflection in the tank sides. Also, I was reading that cooler temps are better for helping the reptile overcome its illness. So when I have a cham in a container for monitoring and feeding counts, I do not include a heat light, but room temp is around 20 C.
If you go to the vet - get a blood test, there may be underlying kidney problems. Or other metabolic problems.
Good luck. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

[tHeGiNo]

Also, I was reading that cooler temps are better for helping the reptile overcome its illness. So when I have a cham in a container for monitoring and feeding counts, I do not include a heat light, but room temp is around 20 C.

Really eh? Thats pretty neat. Has anyone else heard of this?

If you go to the vet - get a blood test, there may be underlying kidney problems. Or other metabolic problems.

Yep, thats what I was thinking.

[Chris_Anderson]

The oposite is true. The heat helps reptiles get over illness, specifically URI. You just have to be careful not to over heat or dehydrate. Basking is key with sick chameleons.

Chris