Could he be blind? Update

[supermrchameleon]

Sounds like way too much trouble and very stressful for a baby.

As your want to keep this animal alive is genuine and admirable, I am going to be a Debbie downer I hope you do not get too offended.

I do not see the need to keep these weak hatchlings alive. The baby would not make it in the wild. All the trouble and stress to get this thing to feed will be overwhelming for the animal and care taker. If one is to have some success the animal will only break your heart after it fails further down the road. As sad and morbid as it may seem, this is a good chance to provide larger animals with a good source of Vit A and other nutrients from an animal source feeder.

It sounds like you will try to do what you can for it. Which is admirable like I said. The above is just my opinion. I wish you good luck on your decision.

I agree completely. People always get mad at me because I really think that in order to solve the over population of cats and dogs, we should humanly kill the small ones and use them as snake food. It would be much better than putting them into wood chippers which is what happened to the rest of the litter of my friends cat all because no one else wanted them.

Its up to the owner though. Personally, Id give it a try but if it just wasnt working, Id feed it to another.

 

[chamlover]

Question for everyone. How many of you deal with reptile rescues? Or rescues of any kind? We also run a tortoise and repitile rescue and i guess that's just what we do. We give everyone a hand when needed and IF the animal responds, then terrific. I once had an egg-bound female panther cham for over a month (of hell). She visited the vet, if i remember correctly, at least 3-4 times AND she finally pulled through and we have 2 of her daughters. So you see sometimes, with a little help, they pull through. Now i know this guy is different, he's a newborn, but even he deserves a helping hand. I wont go to extremes to save his life, i will help him a little and hope that he can hold his own. If not.........

No one answered 1 of my earlier questions: Do chameleons have equilibrium like we do. Just wondering if that has something to do with him flipping over.

 

[Carlton]

Question for everyone. How many of you deal with reptile rescues? Or rescues of any kind?

No one answered 1 of my earlier questions: Do chameleons have equilibrium like we do. Just wondering if that has something to do with him flipping over.

I have done quite a few rescues of herps, birds, bats and other wildlife, dogs over the years. Most of my chams were rescues. It is hard to put into words, but I often get a "sense" about some animals that keeps me working on their problems or supporting them in an altered life. Others I sense don't seem to want to persist. If trying to help them causes constant stress, fear, and struggle I don't push them. All 3 of my melleri were rescues...two did well for years, one I felt I was constantly pulling back from its wish to die in peace.

If I got a tiny newborn with major defects that would keep it from experiencing the world or being able to keep itself alive on its own I would euthanize it as humanely as possible. I know it doesn't know anything beyond its current condition, but so many of the little daily joys of life it won't have. If I get an older animal with injuries that can live decently with some assistance (like the jax I got who had no claws,some loss of toes, and couldn't climb) I find ways to help as long as the animal seems to have some peace. If it showed signs of constant pain that's another story.

A bird with a damaged wing who would still be able to perch, move around a habitat, eat, watch the world, maybe enjoy its time can be healed and helped. A bird with a spinal injury who will never be able to perch, hold its head up, feed itself, clean itself, walk, fly, etc. will just sit immobile with pressure sores, infections until something overcomes it...again, another story.

I'm sure my decisions reflect my own fears about what I would choose to face in my own life. And I also know that decisions I make aren't comparable to those a cham or other creature would make. Most rescue decisions I've been faced with felt right at the time and still do. I am very lucky that I have the ability to provide good vet care as long as possible.

As for the question about equilibrium...I'm sure they have a very sophisticated sense of it. Living as they do in 3 dimensions with their complex eyes and brain I don't seen how they could do without it. Just like any animal or human blind from birth, learning to orient itself in the world and even know where its legs, body, head, are in relation to all the other body parts are at all times would be a huge challenge. Also we don't know if the reason for blindness has also damaged the inner ear or brain.

 

[chamlover]

Sorry i got a little touch last night. Carlton i agree with you 100% on almost everything.

But my inner self is telling me to give him a little more time before i make a decision. I actually gave him 3 crickets this morning and i'll be darned if i can find them anywhere. I know they're little but usually i've been finding them dead on the floor. Today they've disappeared. I won't post on this subject again for a couple more days and i'll see what happens. Thank you for everyone's input. I really do appreciate it even if i don't necessarily agree with everything. It certainly gives me something to think about.

 

[DragonLady]

It would be much better than putting them into wood chippers which is what happened to the rest of the litter of my friends cat all because no one else wanted them.

I'm an animal lover - period. Doesn't matter if its dogs, cats, reptiles, etc. If your friend put a litter of kittens into a wood chipper because no one wanted them then he is just a twisted and sick individual. Ever heard of the Humane Society or cat rescue groups? My mom's dog had 12 unplanned mutt puppies - the ones she couldn't give to friends and family got parked outside Walmart and she got rid of all of them - WITHOUT having to put them in a wood chipper.

 

[Carlton]

Sorry i got a little touch last night. Carlton i agree with you 100% on almost everything.

But my inner self is telling me to give him a little more time before i make a decision. I actually gave him 3 crickets this morning and i'll be darned if i can find them anywhere. I know they're little but usually i've been finding them dead on the floor. Today they've disappeared. I won't post on this subject again for a couple more days and i'll see what happens. Thank you for everyone's input. I really do appreciate it even if i don't necessarily agree with everything. It certainly gives me something to think about.

Its certainly your call, so listen to that little voice for a while. I suspect he'll give you some sign what to do eventually. Let's hope he keeps going well!

 

[Carlton]

It would be much better than putting them into wood chippers which is what happened to the rest of the litter of my friends cat all because no one else wanted them.

Wow, I can't think of a more inhumane cold hearted way to "get rid" of unwanted animals. Totally disgusting.