Baby down... well partially

[kylerenz]

Today we had an accident during feeding time. With thirteen babies now in the cage it gets more difficult to keep track of them. When my girlfriend closed the door she did not notice one of our little males was halfway out on the top of the cage. She feels absolutely terrible and I do as well. The thing is he is moving around really well still except his back left leg does not function properly anymore. I have noticed some discoloration in it as well as his tail. Do you think he will lose them and if so will he survive it? I really want to give her some good news as she is very torn up over it but I want some other opinions.

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Well if it starts to suffer you might have to do the right thing and freeze it. It's the most humane way of putting down a reptile or amphibian. I know it sounds awful but suffering is even worse.

 

[blackbetty]

Dean I would not recommend this. Chuck recommended it to me and got jumped badly. I STILL get harassed for choosing to do this when my cham was suffering. I get told that a Co2 chamber is what needs to be done for it to be "humane"

Ill hope for the best. Accidents happen and with any luck, he'll be a toughie!

 

[kinyonga]

Freezing is inhumane and not an acceptable way to euthanize reptiles according to the AVMA...
"Rapid freezing as a sole means of euthanasia is not considered to be humane. If used, animals should be anesthetized prior to freezing"

 

[blackbetty]

Kin: someone said in another thread (and im just asking) that IF you choose to use the freezer, you should put them in the fridge first to put them to sleep. I know its inhumane, but if this is the only option, is that better?

Nevermind.. Wrong thought..

 

[lizardboy119796]

Just wondering is your name Kyler, never heard anyone elses name kyler but me but i think he should be ok, maybe just some slight pain that might go away, or bring it to the vet.

 

[kinyonga]

blackbetty...I still wouldn't do it....the blood cells burst causing great pain that is the problem with freezing..I don't know if being asleep would stop that or not. Decapitation is also not acceptable on its own. Their brains seem to stay "alive" for quite a while due to the slow use of oxygen from what I have read. Perhaps one of the vets can comment on this?

 

[merumontanus]

Freezing is inhumane and not an acceptable way to euthanize reptiles according to the AVMA...
"Rapid freezing as a sole means of euthanasia is not considered to be humane. If used, animals should be anesthetized prior to freezing"

I completely agree. Freezing is only considered "humane" because it's easier to stick the animal in a bag and walk away. The way rodents are pre-killed for food is considerably more humane than freezing, if performed correctly.

Fabián

 

[dave101]

very sad to hear what has happened, i hope everything turns out okay for your little buddy

 

[chambabysitter1]

Woah, this thread got morbid. Why don't you just take it to a professional reptile vet for a proper assessment?

 

[Dean Pulcini]

What would you do if it was wiggling in pain and there was no vet available. Stand there and wait until tomorrow to take it to a vet . I don't think so I'll just go to my C02 chamber and do it that way. Just a little sarcasm.

 

[chambabysitter1]

What would you do if it was wiggling in pain and there was no vet available. Stand there and wait until tomorrow to take it to a vet . I don't think so I'll just go to my c02 chamber and do it that way.

Or freeze it? Which are you suggesting now?

I think if you are coming to cham forums to see if your baby is okay after an accident like that, it's safe to assume that they don't have the proper professional experience to assess the life situation of the guy.

Probably best to find a vet, unless the OP has a C02 chamber readily available, which apparently some people do?

 

[kylerenz]

Or freeze it? Which are you suggesting now?

I think if you are coming to cham forums to see if your baby is okay after an accident like that, it's safe to assume that they don't have the proper professional experience to assess the life situation of the guy.

Probably best to find a vet, unless the OP has a C02 chamber readily available, which apparently some people do?

Well I am most definitely not putting a vet out of the question but this forum is set up to help and support fellow enthusiasts. I post threads to see how many people encounter the situations that I encounter. It is amazing what someone can learn from others. Also I can assess whether or not he can still use his leg or curl his tail. I cannot however know with any certainty if he will be okay in the long run. It has only been four or five hours since the accident so no one can truly know for sure. He moves around with ease and does not wriggle in pain, but his back left leg does not work as I said before. I only look for support and suggestions.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I didn't mean it to put you on the defense Kyler.

The negativity was more directed towards those who assumed you should just put it down right away. I am glad to hear you are approaching the situation with a clear head.

Good luck to you and to him. Accidents happen, I mean, there is a cham with a stump leg on here after all, he seems to get along fine. It upsets me to see people so ready to write him off.

 

[blackbetty]

Whyw ould someone decapitate? I thought it was absolutely scarring for me to wrap her up and put her int he freezer..I could never decapitate. People do that!?

Is there any swelling? Any weird look to it like its broken? any cuts?

Can you use plain neosporin or a cham? I know you can use the plain (not PLUS) with a lot of mammals, but didn tknow if it would be suitable for reptiles.

 

[chamlover]

OK guys, back to the problem. I actually had this happen as well and in my case after a couple of weeks he seemed fine and didn't endure any longterm problems. But i dont know how hard she closed the door and exactly where it closed on him. When it happened to mine a part of his hand did turn really dark and i thought he was in big trouble, he didn't use it very much either, but i put him in a cage by himself and waited a couple of days and he started using it more and the color returned. After a week or two he was like new. So keep an eye on him and see what happens. Is he eating all right?

Debby
Jungle Jewels Reptiles

 

[Syn]

I agree with chamlover, stick him in his own place and just watch him. If it looks like it's bothering him horribly.. just take him to the vet. You love your little guy, don't you?

 

[blackbetty]

I agree with chamlover, stick him in his own place and just watch him. If it looks like it's bothering him horribly.. just take him to the vet. You love your little guy, don't you?

Well of course he does, but that doesnt mean that he can just rush tot he vet. He has 13 other babies to care for as well as the parents and who knows what else in his life. Not saying there should be any causalities..but everyone is go to the vet go to the vet..sometimes all it takes and some time and prayer..

 

[Rocky]

I may be completely wrong here, but putting the baby down isn't a horrible idea. If it has a broken back there is no reason to make it suffer more. While people may be bashing you for putting down a chameleon, what do you think that major breeders do in the situation? While I may be completely wrong, I am pretty sure that in that situation the bayb would be put to sleep.

If you think it could live a healthy life I would say let it live but put it in a cage by itself to heal up with out others picking on it.

If you think it is in pain and will have problems I do not think there is any point in prolonging its suffering.

 

[summoner12]

Sorry to hear...

If you feel there is a reason to euthanize the animal take a look at this site. Do not be that person who is known for freezing their cham. It isn't pleasant to read about on the forum.

Link

I would give it a day or two. There are threads on the forum where people have found the cham's legs working again. If there is discoloration, it may not be likely in your case .