sick chameleon?

lanalizard · 12-19-02, 07:24 PM

hi guys...i have a 6month old chameleon named charmander and he is usually quite frisky and stuff..but today i found him lying down on a branch in his cage and i found a 3" long clump of poop that was not really poop at all, it was a bunch of mealworms together about the with of your middle finger. he is very lethargic and closing his eyes and has no strength and keeps his head low.
i dont get paid til next friday and the vet wont make an early visit...can someone help me? what is going on with my baby?

Jaylyn · 12-20-02, 02:05 PM

Hi!

If you can in to see a vet as soon as possible please do so!! Tell them it is an emergency. Maybe they can defer payment until the weekend.

For the time being you really need to water the heck out of him. Either put on on a plant in a warm shower (direct the spray at the wall so it mists back on to him and make sure part of the plant is out of the spray so he can get away) or set up a warm dripper on one side of his cage for at least an hour three times a day. Mist him with warm water 4 times a day. He really needs to be well hydrated to be able pass the feces and not risk a prolapse.

How are the cage temps? You may want to recheck them and make sure he is warms enough and able to digest properly.

What other insects are you feeding? I would stay completely away from mealworms. They offer him little nutritionally and contain alot of chitin - which is very hard to digest. Silkworms, crix, the odd waxworm and superworm are better choices.

If he's not able to drink on his own - then you need to get him to a vet now!

I hope everything works out - let us know how he does. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Jaylyn

lanalizard · 12-20-02, 05:30 PM

he will drink when i spray him and i made him sum bug juice..he is getting a little stronger.

Trace · 12-20-02, 10:06 PM

Good to hear Krissy!

Please keep me posted on his progess. You know where to find me!

Cheers!

Trace

lanalizard · 12-21-02, 09:57 AM

he is getting lots of strength back..i mist the cage with warm water for about a half an hour 2 times a day and we feed him bug juice too.

Jaylyn · 12-21-02, 11:02 AM

Great to hear! You are such a good cham Mom to make bug juice (not one of my fondest memories)!

Jaylyn

lanalizard · 12-21-02, 12:45 PM

well its the most disgusting thing ive ever done but it makes my charmander better, its worth it all.

Trace · 12-21-02, 08:56 PM

Krissy asked me to pass along the news to everyone.... unfortunately little Charmander passed away this evening.

I also know Krissy did everything she could, but in some circumstances it just doesn't work out. It's hard to lose a good friend like Charmander.

My deepest condolences Krissy.

Trace

McPatch · 12-21-02, 09:19 PM

Sorry for your loss Krissy.Hope you are ok.

lanalizard · 12-22-02, 05:26 AM

thank you all, and thank you trace...its hard...very hard..im dealing with it. Poor charmander will remain in my heart forever.

Jaylyn · 12-22-02, 10:29 AM

I am so sorry Krissy. Its not easy to lose one.

Hang in there.
Jaylyn