sick chameleon

[Leona]

I have a year old pregnant vieled, for the last few weeks I've noticed she has a swollen neck and goes to the corner of her cage and digs(her front claws are trying to dig an imaginary hole????) if I take her and put her on a branch she is fine, but she always seems to find a corner. She is eating, drinking and deficating normally. I was supplementing her with vitamins and calcium but, I have stopped, she has a Powersun light on her cage. If anyone could give me a web page , a link, or has any ideas of what she is suffering from I would greatly apprieciate the info. I have done some research but I'm at my wits end. Thanks Leona

[Jaylyn]

Leona,

You need to give her a laying container ASAP - or she will probably die egg bound.

What I use is a 32 gallon trash can. Put about 18 inches of 1/2 sand, 1/2 peat moss in the bottom. Mix well. Add really warm water until it is thoroughly moistened and will hold a tunnel. Take a small plant out of it's pot and plant it directly in the soil. If you have a small piece of light driftwood - place that on top. Add a branch for her to perch on. Clip a bulb on the side for heat.



Put it in a quiet place in the house and give her absolute privacy. If you bother her - she may abandon the digging process and become egg-bound. She may dig several test holes - and may dig for a long time until she digs a hole that is "right" for her. If she isn't finished by night time - turn off her light anyway. She will eventually turn around in the hole and have just her nose sticking out. When she's done laying she will fill in and cover the hole. Do NOT interrupt this process. Wait until she climbs back up on her branch. If she's not allowed to finish she will keep going through the motions indefinately.

When she all done - give her a lengthy warm shower - and bring on the bugs.

If at anytime she seems to be taking a downhill turn - get her to the vet ASAP. She may be oxytocin to complete the process or a section.

Best of Luck! If you have any questions or if I haven't been clear enough - let me know. I'll pop in here throughout the day - or call me at (780) 857-2003.

Jaylyn

[katev17]

Good luck, Leona! I really hope it all works out in the end.. lol Jaylyn you were so thorough on the explanation, I'm sure she won't have any problems! [complete with picture and everything!] It's really great of you to be ready to help at any time!

Glad to see such helpful & caring people
Kate

[Jaylyn]

I also wanted to add that you can offer her a bug or two (not superworms - they will dig down into the soil) - if she isn't digging yet. Remove any leftovers. Labour is hard work. I also found with my veiled that her water requirements went up at this time. Again, if she isn't digging yet mist her with warm water (I fill the spray bottle up with hot tap water - so its warm by the time it hits them). Good hydration is important because it make the eggs less "sticky" and easier to pass.

Jaylyn

[Leona]

Thanks Jaylyn for the advice. Much apprieciated. Her becoming egg bound is not a problem, I have been breeding chameleons sucessfully for several years. My worry is her sickness. Her eggs were no where close to being laid and I do believe she has absorbed her eggs due to the sickness. What I need to know is, if anyone's chameleon has ever experienced anything like this and what they did to cure it. I have done alot of research and I keep getting conflicting information. Does anyone know a good reptile vet in the Kitchener or Guelph area? Thanks again Leona

[Trace]

The University of Guelph is the teaching centre for veterinary medicine in Ontario. I would give them try. Otherwise here is a listing of herp vets in Ontario:

http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/canrepvt.htm#ont

Good luck with her!

Cheers!

Trace

[Leona]

Thanks Trace, I'll give them a dingle in the morning.
Leona

[Jaylyn]

Sorry Leona - didn't realize.

I've found with the edema really cutting back on supplements is key. I use the gutload on the Adcham website and then only supplement with a multivitamin once a month. Calcium once a week. Increased hydration. But you know that already. Best of luck with the vet.

Jaylyn

[Leona]

Jaylyn no problem, I should have mentioned in my first post that I've been breeding them for years.
I'm taking her to see the vet. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all your help.
Leona

[Jaylyn]

Just a quick thought.... Did you breed her recently? Could she be just dumping an already formed infertile clutch early so she can make good use of that sperm??

Jaylyn

[Leona]

Jaylyn
Your last post was exactly right. I put her in the egg laying tank over night and she had a cluster of 5 or 6 eggs all stuck together. The vet checked her out and gave her a clean bill of health. You are a life saver, this goes to show a old dog can learn new tricks.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Leona

[Trace]

YAY! I'm glad she is doing well!

Post some pics of your little girl!

Cheers!

Trace

[Jaylyn]

Good news!!! Now you get to play the waiting game again!

Jaylyn