Bitter sweet

[GooglezNvincent]

Today I feel I learned another good lesson and some quality information. Sadly one of my females died because an egg broke inside her and the yolk poisoned her (I forget the term). This was the first time I did my own necropsy. I opened one of my many chameleon books with the picture of their anatomy and slowly went through and checked some of the organs and all were healthy to my untrained eye. It made me happy that I gave Blueberry a healthy and good life, but also made me sad for 2 reasons.

First, it really sux that she died the way she did. Secondly, I can't help but feel bad (and I still do) because I feel like I defiled her body. I talked to Dr. Greek for about 30 minutes face to face and he couldn't stress enough that things like this will ALWAYS happen. "Whenever you deal with live animals, you are going to have to deal with deaths" That is a very good fact that people need to realise when breeding.

I will strive to learn more and be able to notice (if possible) when something like this happens and know how I can help my chameleons. I just wanted to post this because it is a sad fact that Blueberry died, but she will always be in my memories along with ALL my chams, dead or alive. They ignite my burning passion for chameleons and all types of reptiles and I can't learn enough about them!

-Trevor

 

[lucky]

very sorry about your loss. its awful to lose an animal friend.

 

[panthercham]

When we take on the responsiblity of chams, any pet or animal there are always things that can and will go wrong that are not in our control no matter how good our husbandry is or how much we love them...that is a fact of life.

The only thing to do is to strive to be as educated as possible so that we can give them the best of care while in our safe keeping....thats all we can do. You gave Blueberry a healthy and good life, you cant do any more than that.

The fact that Blueberry's death has saddened you shows that you care and that is a great quality of any cham owner. I am sorry for your loss, its always hard to lose a cham

 

[GooglezNvincent]

very sorry about your loss. its awful to lose an animal friend.

Yeah it really is, thanks.

When we take on the responsiblity of chams, any pet or animal there are always things that can and will go wrong that are not in our control no matter how good our husbandry is or how much we love them...that is a fact of life.

The only thing to do is to strive to be as educated as possible so that we can give them the best of care while in our safe keeping....thats all we can do. You gave Blueberry a healthy and good life, you cant do any more than that.

The fact that Blueberry's death has saddened you shows that you care and that is a great quality of any cham owner. I am sorry for your loss, its always hard to lose a cham

Thanks for your kind words These reptiles are so precious I think its the hardest to lose a chameleon over any other reptile.

 

[Carlton]

I've lost a cham to a ruptured egg and resulting peritonitis (there's your word) and know just how you feel. Bad things do happen. Unfortunately, because you care and educate yourself about your animals you are going to feel it more than someone who buys an animal on a whim, treats it badly, loses it, and doesn't have a clue about why it ended up dying.

I bought a beautiful cbb fischeri from a great breeder some years ago. He had everything going for him...great care from day one, healthy cherished parents, being loved by someone who had years of cham experience to draw on, good climate, proper feeding, lighting, hydration, vet care, etc. At 18 months he went downhill and died from what turned out to be kidney disease. The necropsy tissue analysis showed a possible viral infection and no signs of other health issues. His clutchmates on the same gutloading/dusting/lighting regime were fine. Something happened to this particular cham out of all the others. Of course I beat myself up over it for the longest time too.

Give yourself a break...you're on the "Good Chamkeeper List".

 

[GooglezNvincent]

I've lost a cham to a ruptured egg and resulting peritonitis (there's your word) and know just how you feel. Bad things do happen. Unfortunately, because you care and educate yourself about your animals you are going to feel it more than someone who buys an animal on a whim, treats it badly, loses it, and doesn't have a clue about why it ended up dying.

I bought a beautiful cbb fischeri from a great breeder some years ago. He had everything going for him...great care from day one, healthy cherished parents, being loved by someone who had years of cham experience to draw on, good climate, proper feeding, lighting, hydration, vet care, etc. At 18 months he went downhill and died from what turned out to be kidney disease. The necropsy tissue analysis showed a possible viral infection and no signs of other health issues. His clutchmates on the same gutloading/dusting/lighting regime were fine. Something happened to this particular cham out of all the others. Of course I beat myself up over it for the longest time too.

Give yourself a break...you're on the "Good Chamkeeper List".

Thanks, this is why I love this site, so many people sharing the same passion can relate to your own experiences and support you.

 

[jojackson]

Thats a real downer, nature can suck sometimes mate. Makes you feel helpless, I know.
Reminds us there are forces greater than us, no matter how smart we get.
Give it your best, no-one can do more than that.
Keep on keeping. Best wishes.

 

[sallyb]

So sorry blueberry didn`t make it

 

[OOOst16]

i think its fabulas you went inside to find out....absolutley fantastic ... i will do the same thing if my cham dies from somthing that i couldnt control. anatomy is such a maraculas thing...cellular reproduction....man i could go on for hours...im sorry that she died the way she did. but hey ...a good life experiance came outa this always keep your chin up

 

[Nosybe]

Very sorry for your loss. You only can realize how much you truly care something once it is gone.

 

[jojackson]

You only can realize how much you truly care something once it is gone.

The hell you can. Re-evaluate freind! Go watch your lizard, upgrade its enviroment, tell someone you love them....now!

(I know what you meant though. )

 

[GooglezNvincent]

Thanks all, it truely means alot to have all your support and condolences.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Sorry to read about Blueberry. Doesnt sound like there was anything you could do. Not that it makes the loss any easier.

 

[GooglezNvincent]

Sorry to read about Blueberry. Doesnt sound like there was anything you could do. Not that it makes the loss any easier.

Yeah, I was thinking and wonder how long it took her to get poisoned because she had eggs in the ovaries devoloping. Even though it had been like 45 days she would have laid on her own cuz all the eggs weren't huge or deformed where she wouldnt be able to lay. Who knows!

 

[jannb]

I'm so sorry to hear about Blueberry. Death is the very worst part of ever owning any animal. That's why I always swear I will never get anymore.