Handling because I have to

Eshelton3

Member
So my poor baby girls eye is still closed. I called a vet they suggested in the mean time until the appointment that I do a eye flush with saline because something might be in it. Also some eye ointment that I can order from chewy. What is the best way to handle her/pick her up. I still have never handled her at all and I have had her for 1 week today. I might add she is 3 months old and still very skiddish of everything.
 
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Do you have to pick her up to do this? I'm thinking for the flush, an eyedropper into each eye while she's on a branch, etc. The ointment might be similarly accomplished with a swab.

If not, and handling becomes necessary, it's medical—got to be done. If it were me, I would wear gloves—not for protection from bites (which are a real possibility, but they're really just a pinch at that age)—but to hide the scent of your hands (for future handling).

If you check the archives & goggle, you'll find a number of posts, articles, and vids on administering meds.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=chameleons+administering+medicine

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=chameleons+administering+eye+medicine
 
Do you have to pick her up to do this? I'm thinking for the flush, an eyedropper into each eye while she's on a branch, etc. The ointment might be similarly accomplished with a swab.

If not, and handling becomes necessary, it's medical—got to be done. If it were me, I would wear gloves—not for protection from bites (which are a real possibility, but they're really just a pinch at that age)—but to hide the scent of your hands (for future handling).

If you check the archives & goggle, you'll find a number of posts, articles, and vids on administering meds.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=chameleons+administering+medicine

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=chameleons+administering+eye+medicine
Thank you. Every time I go need her she runs so I may have to unfortunately handle her. We will see how it goes, thanks for the tips ☺️
 
Thank you. Every time I go need her she runs so I may have to unfortunately handle her. We will see how it goes, thanks for the tips ☺️
This is not unusual at this age; I didn't even start until mine was 6 months.
There are many articles, blogs, & vids on 'taming & handling'. Different methods work better/worse for each individual (good thing there are options! ;)). All take time & patience, which understandably you don't have ATM.

Do what you need to do for her. Taming may take a small step backward, but that's not unusual either, and she WILL get over it. :) (y)
 
I corral mine with both hands. While I have one hand in the front and just underneath the cham, I am moving my other hand behind and just above, cutting off the escape route. As soon as I’m able, I slide the front hand under the body and usually the little feet grab onto me. My veileds hate being held and (my girls) usually are hissing and lunging the whole time, but once on my hand they calm down.
Thankfully I haven’t had to medicate any of them but once, but I placed her on my bed and gently held her down while I quickly gave the med. some have said placing a balled up towel on the bed for something to hold onto also helps. However you do it, make sure to give a treat or two for being such a good cham.
 
Weird off topic but where do you find silkworms. I’ve looked everywhere, I know she is use to them and want to be able to give her treats like this in these situations.
 
Weird off topic but where do you find silkworms. I’ve looked everywhere, I know she is use to them and want to be able to give her treats like this in these situations.
IME, all kinds of feeders seem to have gluts & dearths. One particular vendor may have an oversupply and run a sale.... Next thing you know, they're out until they can breed/raise more. This is one reason I keep a small spreadsheet of vendors I've vetted. If one's out, I can try the next.

I clicked on a few of these randomly, and some had them in-stock. I have not vetted these.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=silkworms+for+sale

Have you tried the classified section? Someone is advertising them there (again, not vetted).
https://www.chameleonforums.com/forums/chameleon-food.82/

There's also a good thread on raising your own.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/silkworm-journey.181735/
 
This is not unusual at this age; I didn't even start until mine was 6 months.
There are many articles, blogs, & vids on 'taming & handling'. Different methods work better/worse for each individual (good thing there are options! ;)). All take time & patience, which understandably you don't have ATM.

Do what you need to do for her. Taming may take a small step backward, but that's not unusual either, and she WILL get over it. :) (y)
Yeah so I attempted to try and get her out to flush her eye and she lunged and hissed at me. I did have gloves on but I could hear how hard she was throwing her all into it with the thud against my garden gloves. She definitely isn’t a happy camper!
 
Fear of the unknown—and being messed with.
She'll get over it, especially if you can offer her some tasty treats with those same hands (sans gloves). 😋
 
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