Dead.

[ferretinmyshoes]

I'm sorry for making you feel bad, that certainly wasn't my intent. You wanted to know what caused it, so I was answering your question based on the info you provided. I'm not saying 'you killed her', I'm saying it sounds like you were misinformed on what she needed. Unfortunately that is common with exotic pets, and they do suffer from it because they are fragile. But with research now knowing which things can be changed you can be successful in the future.

 

[maxttu]

Agreed. This is constructive criticism. You came looking for a reason(s) and some of your husbandry is suspect.

Some very bad info is given by pet shops and private sellers that were not educated themselves who in return pass the bad info on to new owners. We hear and see this all of the time.

Live and learn. If you have aspirations of owning another Cham in the future, this is the best forum with very knowledgeable members that can steer you in the right direction.

Read, read and read some more and don t hesitate to ask questions. That's what we're here for.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[lynseymorganjones]

I'm sorry guys. It's been a bad week, and this happened so suddenly and is was so scary to watch her die.. I don't think I've ever cried this hard in my life.

I thank you all for your help, but I probably won't get another one because I'll always be afraid of this happening. But on the chance I do, I'll know how to take care of it.

 

[crocky]

Hey, we all learn along the way and everyone starts somewhere. If you want to have another Cham one day don't let this experience deter you. Just do a lot of research and now you have found one of the best support groups you can find on the Internet. Remember it is the bumps in the road along our journey that makes us stronger.

 

[lynseymorganjones]

I feel beyond horrible because she had to die because of my stupidity. I've literally been crying since she died at 10 a.m..

 

[JackieChan]

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's amazing how attached you get to these guys even when they seem to hate you! I know when I got my guy I thought I'd done all the research I could - it wasn't until I stumbled on this site that I suddenly realised I knew nothing. The pet store told me I would only need Nutrobal (which is calcium and D3) and that I should sprinkle the crickets every day with it. I panicked so much when I came on here and saw that D3 is only supposed to be supplemented twice a month or so!

I really hope this doesn't put you off trying again - the fact that you cared so much not to be away from her shows that your heart is in the right place. It's hard to realise that chameleons are so delicate when they seem so robust and grumpy! I know I would have been inconsolable if I lost my cham in such a difficult situation, and it's great that you want to know why it happened. I hope you're starting to feel a little better, it really breaks my heart at the idea of losing a chameleon. Just remember that everyone here wants to help, for your sake and your chameleon's, and from the hundreds of threads I've scrolled through, no one has ever been purposefully mean or critical. You did a good thing coming here, if only because everyone here cares as much as you do!

 

[Decadancin]

Unfortunately when it comes to chameleons, many of us are only given partial information on their care, and even then most of it is incorrect! I am so sorry for your loss. As for whatever you do in the future, its up to you. I would definitely do tons of research as to the care and supplies that are necessary to be successful, but even with all the right things you just never know. There have been quite a few great keepers who have lost some amazing animals recently, and they ALL feel like there was more they could do. I worry everyday about my little one and I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything I should. I have a great vet close by, but the second option for me is also about 2 hours away! Its tough to own these guys, (and expensive) but they are so worth it! If you decide to try again, please let us answer all your questions. (You know we will do all we can to help!) Again, sorry you lost your little girl .

 

[Psychobunny]

I feel beyond horrible because she had to die because of my stupidity. I've literally been crying since she died at 10 a.m..

I understand how you feel. I got my first cham (a jacksons male) back in the late 1970's, way before anyone even knew what they were.
The pet store owner told me they come from Mexico and need a hot dry terrarium with sand on the bottom and maybe a piece of driftwood or something.
No supplimenting of any kind, and only fed mealworms!!

There was no internet, there werent even any books except one, written in German and didnt even discuss husbandry at all!!

Needless to say, I killed the poor guy with stupidity!!

 

[Kate]

First I'm sorry you lost your little girl. I can relate to what has been said before. You trust the person you buy your Cham from and you follow their advice. Why wouldn't you? Before I found this forum I had two separate veileds. I lost them both around 18 - 24 months. Looking back being given wrong info about supplements played a big part in their demise. When joining the forum I thought I knew lots. Not so. I had loads to learn and am still learning. Perhaps when you feel better you will come back to us and prepare for your next one.

 

[Carlton]

I'm sorry guys. It's been a bad week, and this happened so suddenly and is was so scary to watch her die.. I don't think I've ever cried this hard in my life.

I thank you all for your help, but I probably won't get another one because I'll always be afraid of this happening. But on the chance I do, I'll know how to take care of it.

One other tip to add (not to your grief, but part of the possible explanation) is about putting the free range feeder insects into her cage. They lose their gutload and and supplement dusts pretty quickly as they move around, groom themselves clean, and hide. By the time your cham catches them they may have lost most of their nutritional value or even eaten grungy stuff off the floor of the cage (yuck!). So she ended up not getting the nutrients you thought she was. Next time, if you prefer to let the feeders roam the cage you should put a little container of gutload in the cage for them.