Dehydrated Chameleon - URGENT

makare

New Member
Up until a few days ago, our veiled chameleon was fine - crawling around his cage and plants and eating crickets. But then I started noticing signs of sickness.

Current symptoms are:

-light green bump on his nose
-weakness
-sunken eyes
-loose grip
-deep breathing
-not eating crickets
and it looks like he could've burned his tail. He is also shades of very pale, lime green right now and keeps closing his eyes.

After research on various forums and websites, it seems that he is SEVERELY dehydrated.

The cage set up is:
Cage is wire 36'' x 14'' x 14''
One live hibiscus plant
2 halogen lights

One of the family members just went out to buy PEDIALYTE. How should we administer this and how much?

Also what other suggestions do you have for severe dehydration? We have been towling and spritzing him with water but he is still very weak.

Thank you!
 
Only drip liquid in the very front of the mouth-SLOWLY. If you push it to fast the animal will aspirate the liquid into it's lungs and drown.

Please fill this out and posting pictures of the animal and cage would be very helpful:

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
 
IMHO I would get him to the vet ASAP and worry about posting here later...otherwise I don't think he has a chance right now.
 
Two halogen bulbs!?! You're likely cooking your chameleon to death. These aren't bearded dragons.

You need one heat source for a basking area that measures about 85-90 degrees F about 6-10 inches from the heat source and 80-85 degrees about 10-12 inches from the source. Also you need a seperate UVB 5.0 Reptisun bulb.

Next you need to regularly mist your chameleon (3-4 times a day), they don't drink standing water.

Please check out Screamleons, Fl Chams or Chameleons Only websites for husbandry information. They provide great information on proper chameleon care.
 
As everyone has said, get to the vet...but I wanted to assure you that many chameleons come back from severe dehydration. This isn't sending you to the vet to get the shot to put him out of his misery..it's sending you to the vet to get medical support for his recovery.
 
Thanks for your replies, we had poor Johnny looked at by a local Chameleon expert (has been caring for, breeding, and raising Chameleons for the past few years now and often rescues injured ones, and has a vet friend that specializes in reptile care).

One of Johnny's main symptoms, which I neglected to post, was a black hole on his tail. This hole was not caused by cricket bites or a burn, but it appeared to be something eating him from the inside out. We now realize the person we bought him from was not a breeder, but an importer/exporter, so it is very possible Johnny had a parasite or bacterial infection.

Unfortunately, Johnny died over night, before our friend could start administering antibiotics. He did not die of dehydration, and we had been misting the environment 3-4 times a day. Whatever hit our Chameleon, the symptoms appeared over a span of 2 days and he was gone quickly :(

Thank you for all of your support and for responding to my post, I really appreciate it.
 
im sorry to hear your loss my chameleon is struggling to I didnt read the whole thread and was about to recommend you to read mine lol...:p my apologies again:(
 
im sorry to hear your loss my chameleon is struggling to I didnt read the whole thread and was about to recommend you to read mine lol...:p my apologies
 
That's a sad story. I love your artwork though - having lost a chameleon myself I know how hard it is and that picture is wonderful!
 
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