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Old 06-29-04, 08:55 AM   #1
HeatherRose
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Didn't Make it....(Necropsy Details, no pics)

This post gets its own thread 'cause I've been up all night running around.

Well, this morning at around 4 am (I'd been staying up watching him) my cham's condition was really worsening by the minute, so I called a 24-hour emergency vet and took him there. They rarely get herps in, and did the best they could. They kept him warm, put him in an oxygen tank and injected him with antibiotics and gave him a subcutaneous injection of fluids to hydrate him. He seemed to become a little better, but by about 6:30am he was gone.

I was intending to keep him at this vet until about 8:30am when my regular hospital opened and the exotics vet would be in. I brought him in for a necropsy with the herp vet.

Turns out the cause of death was completely natural. (I flat out asked him "did I kill my chameleon" and he said there was no way.) The cause was either kidney failure due to gout, or gout due to kidney failure. The chameleon was about 3 1/2 to 4 years old, which is getting up there. (The vet said the average he sees is 3-5 for males) He said a general build up of toxins (natural toxins) would cause the cham to not want to eat or drink and be generally lethargic.

The vet said that chams in captivity often have heart failure, kidney failure, and ailments like tumours for which there is no obvious cause.

If ANYTHING could possibly have been to blame, it could possibly have been a high protein diet. This would have been long in development, when he was a baby, long before I ever got him. (these are the vets words, not mine. I'm not laying blame anywhere.)

Otherwise, if, somehow it had been caught early (which is really impossible without a necropsy) the only thing we could have done would be to possibly slow it down. It was unpreventable.

I'm a little relieved that it was a natural death, although it sucks in general anyways.

The vet I went to was just wonderful, Dr. Darren Auger at the Blair Animal Hospital, 849 Shefford Road in Gloucester. If anyone in the Ottawa area is lacking a herp vet, I highly recommend him. He's been absolutely wonderful with all of my animals and really seems to love herps and what he does.

Anyway, I posted here to let everyone know what happened and in the name of science, to possibly educate and help other cham-philes down the road.

Rest in Peace, Turk <3

Heather
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Old 06-29-04, 09:05 AM   #2
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So sorry to hear the news. It sounds like you did everything possible for him though. Again, sorry to hear about the passing.

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Old 06-29-04, 10:46 AM   #3
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My condolences. At least he went because of natural problems at not your own mistakes. That means you cared for him as best you could and did it right.
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Old 06-29-04, 11:00 AM   #4
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Darn Heather
sorry to hear this. My condolences
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Old 06-29-04, 11:01 AM   #5
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Aww Heather *hugs* Sorry to hear that. Quite a shock to hear that too! It was good of you to bring him to the animal hospital, you did all that you could and now at least you know what was the cause of his death. Like you said this sucks!
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Old 06-29-04, 12:01 PM   #6
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you did the best you can srry for your loss, but what i found amazing was that collide mentioning about kidney failer.

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Old 06-29-04, 12:38 PM   #7
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Sorry to hear that Heather! I know for a fact you did nothing short of everything you possibly could for him!! He was in great hands! Again, sorry for your loss
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Old 06-29-04, 12:59 PM   #8
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Thats too bad im sorry for your loss, i think panthers can live longer then that at least the males, I had year and half old pair of panthers that had (or so i beleave) kidny falures i had them for a very short time they had all the same symptions u described. I think there previous care food wise was very poor and led to there kidneys craping out.

I know it hard to loose a panther they have such personality. At least he is outa paine now.

Brandy
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Old 06-29-04, 01:43 PM   #9
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Sorry for your loss.

But I can definitely say that Dr. Auger is very good! I took my leos to his place, and let me tell you, he knows his stuff! He diagnosed the problem, made a general checkup and prescribed medecation (for all three of them) for a pretty reasonable price, I think. For anyone who remembers my leos, they were diagnosed with a pinworm infestation, and are on a panacur suspension now.
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Old 06-29-04, 01:49 PM   #10
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Sorry about your loss
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Old 06-29-04, 02:40 PM   #11
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Sorry for your loss Heather
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Old 06-29-04, 03:20 PM   #12
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HEATHER

It sucked so hard when you called me to tell me, I was totally dreading the phone call. (Not because it would be you calling, but because of the news I was expecting ) The worst thing of it all is that although now you've learned and have come out with more experience, it almost doesn't matter with chameleons cuz they take so bloody long to show their symptoms. :| However, you did EVERYthing right, cuz you're AMAZINGLY AWESOME. I just wish it didn't have to happen . The life cycle goes on I guess, and like you said, you can't even really be sure if he WAS only 3 and a half! He could have even be pushing 4 or something!

We'll find you a female panther (YES they exist, you goof), and she and your apparently "feminine" male panther will have many babies in Turk's honour. He was without a doubt one of the most beautiful chameleons I've ever seen in my life, and I was SOOOO jealous!!

Anyway, no matter what, it still sucks... but you're AWESOME and AMAZING and my FAVOURITEST person.

You'll be having baby turks in no time, and they will carry on his aura of cool. <3<3<3

LOVE YOU
XXOO
Kate
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Old 06-29-04, 05:53 PM   #13
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Ahhhhh Kate you're so awesome <3 <3 <3 Calling you made me feel better even though I was delerious from lack of sleep! I hope, just one day, I will find one of those mythical, elusive 'female' chameleons. Thanks a ton Kate you made me feel better! Spider-Man tomorrow! YAY
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Old 06-29-04, 07:34 PM   #14
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You guys are both from Orleans? I am...
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Old 06-29-04, 09:11 PM   #15
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sorry about the cham, I hope you can find another to fill the void. You found a good herp vet for me, thank you. I didn't know who to use in the even of an emergency. Out of curiousity, what does a necropsy cost? Normal check-up? Thanks

Geoff
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