Half alive ficshers

[Benjlan]

Help Please

Yesterday I was at my mom and pop store and they got a ficshers in they day before.

This guy was house with two others in a 20 long screen top. He was laying on the bottom eyes closed.

I told them I would buy him and paid lots of money. He is home now in a size large reptibreeze.

First all he did was lay on the bottom. I forced fed him some water from a syringe. Now the guy is drinking like crazy.

Doesn't look like bone disease but he can't climb to the basking light.

What should I do? Nearest rep doc is 2.5 hours away.

I just couldn't leave him.

Thanks Ben

 

[Chase]

How hot is the basking spot?

Also, get him in the shower and let shower him for 15 minutes or so.

In case you don't know how to shower a chameleon, I'll explain. Place his plant in the shower and have the water running luke warm. If the pressure is too high, spray the water on the wall so that smaller droplets hit the plant. After a while he should start drinking. You can do this every day if you want, until he's doing better.

Chase

 

[brownie64]

Yes I totally agree with Chase he looks very dehydrated, and hydration is the most important thing for him right now. Little note if you have to give him more water by that syringe make sure you put it towards the back of his mouth they breath from the front, and you could aspirate him if not careful. Good luck.

 

[savage13]

He looks very dehydrated WC animals do not do good in that stage especially ones that has parasites my advice to take him to the vet ASAP... Hope he gets better ..,

 

[Chase]

He looks very dehydrated WC animals do not do good in that stage especially ones that has parasites my advice to take him to the vet ASAP... Hope he gets better ..,

I would not spring to take him to the vet at this point. As of now, the top priority is to rehydrate. Treating parasites is really hard on their system, and doing so when they're dehydrated is very bad for their health. The very will just give him fluids at this point anyways.

@Benjlan- just worry about hydrating. To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much if he didn't eat for a day or two. He's stressed due to the move, and he's very dehydrated. Once established they're really fun and a hardy species.

Chase

 

[ashmichaelson]

I know that some people on here argue that we shouldn't support stores that treat their chams like this, but it makes me really happy that you've sacrificed money and time to make sure this little dude is gonna do well. You deserve a gold star! Make sure you keep us updated

 

[Carlton]

Help Please

Yesterday I was at my mom and pop store and they got a ficshers in they day before.

This guy was house with two others in a 20 long screen top. He was laying on the bottom eyes closed.

I told them I would buy him and paid lots of money. He is home now in a size large reptibreeze.

First all he did was lay on the bottom. I forced fed him some water from a syringe. Now the guy is drinking like crazy.

Doesn't look like bone disease but he can't climb to the basking light.

What should I do? Nearest rep doc is 2.5 hours away.

I just couldn't leave him.

Thanks BenView attachment 155258

Such a needless SHAME!! You could also add a bit of unflavored Pedialyte to the syringe water you are giving him. This can get some calories and electrolytes into him quickly. If you think the pet shop will listen, give them this forum info so they can make some attempt to care for the other fischeri before they get in this state. AND, even more important, educate their buyers. If the shop doesn't seem willing to listen, tell them you are now going to boycott their store because of it.

 

[Benjlan]

Just got back from the vet. Did not take him but brought lots pics. They thought rehydration was pertinent at this point as well. They gave me oxbow carnivore care. Two tsp per 1000 grams of body weight. Also a wormer soon as he gets hydrated.

As far as a shower there is a misting system on the enclosure that gets everything wet, good enough?

Thanks Ben

 

[Andee]

Misting would be... ok... but it needs to be for a prolonged period so set it for 15-20 minutes. Showers are better because of drainage, ability to control temperature, and humidity.

 

[Carlton]

Just got back from the vet. Did not take him but brought lots pics. They thought rehydration was pertinent at this point as well. They gave me oxbow carnivore care. Two tsp per 1000 grams of body weight. Also a wormer soon as he gets hydrated.

As far as a shower there is a misting system on the enclosure that gets everything wet, good enough?

Thanks Ben

If he's not able to move around much at this stage he won't be able to get his own water in a misted cage. If you are home during the days you could hand mist him so he can drink...and he may need to drink something every hour or so. You can offer water by dropper...if he drinks, he needs to. As he gets rehydrated he won't drink as often.

 

[Benjlan]

I see the shower will be much better. What about that food supplement ? Should I stress the poor guy out by ramming the syringe down his throat or just concentrate on rehydration.

 

[Benjlan]

Sorry basking temp is at 85f.

 

[JGuinan007]

Horn worms and silk worms even wax worms to put on some weight the easiest way to get him back to eating on his own and helps keep up hydration

 

[kinyonga]

Be careful worming him. In my experience some Fischers carry very heavy loads and can die from the worming if it's not done right. The dead parasites if killed to quickly can cause toxins to build up inside and kill the chameleon.

 

[JGuinan007]

Be careful worming him. In my experience some Fischers carry very heavy loads and can die from the worming if it's not done right. The dead parasites if killed to quickly can cause toxins to build up inside and kill the chameleon.

NO I ment feed him Horn worms and Silk worms they are soft and easy to digest and good to start with when getting back to eating on their own and far less stressful than a syringe

 

[JGuinan007]

NO I ment feed him Horn worms and Silk worms they are soft and easy to digest and good to start with when getting back to eating on their own and far less stressful than a syringe

I would not try to do anything about parasites until hydration and weight are good and healthy

 

[kinyonga]

The op said... "Also a wormer as soon as he gets hydrated" which is what I replied to JGuinan007.

 

[Chase]

I see the shower will be much better. What about that food supplement ? Should I stress the poor guy out by ramming the syringe down his throat or just concentrate on rehydration.

Rehydration. One shower session and I bet he'll be doing loads better than now. Like I said before , the top priority is getting him to drink right now

Chase

 

[Benjlan]

You all were right he is feeling and even looking much better.

My daughter named our new family member DC, short for Doctor Cham. Pretty cute I thought.

Oh by the way, talking to the vet for 7:34 minutes costs $34.00 and the meds were $6:00. Hmmm seems like they're time is worth a lot.

As far as the supplement I wonder if I should wait and see if DC will eat prey and gut load the prey with it?

Thanks Ben

 

[Carlton]

I would always prefer the cham eat prey instead of a supplement. Those products were not formulated for chams, and the sooner your cham starts hunting and eating on his own the better overall. You can gutload your insects as well or better without using the supplement.