Hi all, I've been reading and learning for the past few months but this is my first post. I need some knowledgeable direction.
Several months ago I "rescued" 4 chameleons from a young man who purchased them about 3 months before without understanding their needs. The options he was considering were not good for the animals - he was a first time reptile owner. While I have owned iguanas before, I've never had a chameleon and have proceed to try to educate myself.
There were 2 baby senegals, 1 baby veiled (all 3 male) and a mature female Jackson's. I had all 3 to the vet at one time on another - babies were wormed after fecal check.
I found a good home for the Jackson's after it was determined she was pregnant - I didn't feel I was qualified to care for her - she actually went to a large zoo.
I feel I have the proper mesh enclosures and try to do the right thing in feeding and gut loading and misting, and cage hygiene, and proper UVA, UVB lighting, and lighting in general - timing of day/night and basking. I would take them outside in the late fall on warm days for sunlight - would feed them a variety of natural caught insects in addition to crickets, mealworms, waxworms (but stopped that as it seemed some say wild insects have more parasites)
Lost one of the senegal babies soon after getting him - even after significant vet care.
Remaining senegal and Veiled seemed healthy and happy (senegal even seeks out human attention and loves to climb out of his cage and sight on shoulders - Veiled is insulted by human contact and puffs up and shakes and gapes and hisses - so funny)
Bottom line, I am trying very hard, but it seems that these are hard animals to care for. I am concerned that I am not experienced enough to care for them properly. Last night noticed that veiled seems to have a mildly prolapsed hemipene. researched it and am keeping it moist while trying to find vet care. The only vet who handles reptiles in my area agreed that this was an emergency but was unwilling to fit us into her already booked day as she had a personl "committment" to keep. Have spent most of the day calling vets and even my long time dog vet refuses to treat a reptile. The only one a could find was 2 hours away and though I am willing to go there I cannot find someone who can take me (another story - but I cannot medically drive right now)
2 questions - what can I do for him until I can find vet care? and more importantly, how can I find a loving, qualified home for these two wonderful creatures?
Sorry so long a post.
Pam
Several months ago I "rescued" 4 chameleons from a young man who purchased them about 3 months before without understanding their needs. The options he was considering were not good for the animals - he was a first time reptile owner. While I have owned iguanas before, I've never had a chameleon and have proceed to try to educate myself.
There were 2 baby senegals, 1 baby veiled (all 3 male) and a mature female Jackson's. I had all 3 to the vet at one time on another - babies were wormed after fecal check.
I found a good home for the Jackson's after it was determined she was pregnant - I didn't feel I was qualified to care for her - she actually went to a large zoo.
I feel I have the proper mesh enclosures and try to do the right thing in feeding and gut loading and misting, and cage hygiene, and proper UVA, UVB lighting, and lighting in general - timing of day/night and basking. I would take them outside in the late fall on warm days for sunlight - would feed them a variety of natural caught insects in addition to crickets, mealworms, waxworms (but stopped that as it seemed some say wild insects have more parasites)
Lost one of the senegal babies soon after getting him - even after significant vet care.
Remaining senegal and Veiled seemed healthy and happy (senegal even seeks out human attention and loves to climb out of his cage and sight on shoulders - Veiled is insulted by human contact and puffs up and shakes and gapes and hisses - so funny)
Bottom line, I am trying very hard, but it seems that these are hard animals to care for. I am concerned that I am not experienced enough to care for them properly. Last night noticed that veiled seems to have a mildly prolapsed hemipene. researched it and am keeping it moist while trying to find vet care. The only vet who handles reptiles in my area agreed that this was an emergency but was unwilling to fit us into her already booked day as she had a personl "committment" to keep. Have spent most of the day calling vets and even my long time dog vet refuses to treat a reptile. The only one a could find was 2 hours away and though I am willing to go there I cannot find someone who can take me (another story - but I cannot medically drive right now)
2 questions - what can I do for him until I can find vet care? and more importantly, how can I find a loving, qualified home for these two wonderful creatures?
Sorry so long a post.
Pam