help me save a cham

[cushcameleon]

There is a baby veiled chameleon at a pet store that is in very bad shape.
I know its a serious chalenge but if I don't save him he will surely die.
I need some urgent help on how I should go about this and I need a crash course on
all the proper steps to get it back to normal. Please help save a life with me.

 

[Lancecham]

I'm glad you want to get the veiled some help. Try to convince the pet shop in giving it to you so that you can get it the care it needs.
SInce we don't know what is exactly wrong with it, it is hard to advise you. There are enough experienced people here that would be more than willing to asist you.
Can you give us more details on what is wrong with him? Pictures?

 

[Sang]

cush, as much as i understand your wish to save this chameleon, i would not support your idea of paying for it.

you should ask to take the chameleon off there hands to provide proper care, as they are not doing so.

second you don't want to give them money for a sick animal that may die even with proper care if its that far along.

you don't want to encourage them to purchase another chameleon and keep it in similar care.

 

[Syn]

I agree completely with Sang, but I disagree highly with you wanting to take a "crash course" to "save a chameleon".

If it's really so bad that you think it will "surely die", it's too far along for a crash course to save it.

I know where your heart is, but put your brain into it, too. You'll only have, just that, a crash course for your heart to break later.

 

[cushcameleon]

I went back to the pet store today but the chameleon was already gone, hopefully some one else bought it for the same intentions I had

 

[jojackson]

I wish Them Luck. Nice to see that people can still go with your heart, just as long as you can also go with your wallet.
As much as such an animal may survive and become a fond healthy pet, more often than not, sadly, they wont.
A vet would be the very first port of call with sick petshop animal, but fortunately you would have a wealth of advice here about what to do at home.

When you begin to love these creatures, the expense dosent seem to matter really, But
every time you buy from a petstore you support the trade that keeps them coming.

Thankyou for caring about this lizard.

 

[moody232002]

I went back to the pet store today but the chameleon was already gone, hopefully some one else bought it for the same intentions I had

i have been having an ongoing thing like this with one of our pet shops so much so that i have reported them to the rspca,my fear is that it is probly someone with a lack of experience that doesn't realise the poor thing is ill only to lose it very soon,

 

[cushcameleon]

I went back to the pet store and saw the chameleon there again. She is a female veiled, my guess is a couple months old. She was walking on the floor of the cage, gaping and had her stress colors showing. My roommate and I decided to buy her, her body looks very frail and right now her eyes are completely shut. When the pet store employee reached in to grab her, she moved away and reacted. Her condition is not good by any means, however I do think she can be nursed back to health with the proper care. I am going to post pictures of her and her setup up as soon as I get the chance.

 

[coolmoon]

Glad to hear you got her and hope you can nurse her to recovery. I know everyone thinks its bad to buy them but I will never agree with that line of thought. Its how I got my first Cham and he survived. Letting a animal suffer is never the answer and letting them die won't stop them from bringing more in. Good luck and congrats on the new girl.

 

[cushcameleon]

here she is

 

[cushcameleon]

I just thoroughly sprayed her down as well as her cage. As you can see she is very skinny, should I try feeding her?

 

[Syn]

She has a really small mouth.. unless it's the angle. I'm a bit worried about the bulge on her forearm.

Plan a vet visit ASAP. It looks like she either has MBD or possibly gout.. hard to tell with those pictures, but like I said.. please plan a visit.

 

[cushcameleon]

The small mouth is from the angle, but the forearm does look like its broken or maybe even MBD " The pet store did have her under a UVB bulb, but it was a coil bulb.

 

[coolmoon]

Definately try to feed her and you may want to try cup feeding at least until she is stronger. Make sure to dust with calcium and keep her hydrated. She doesn't look too bad, should be able to pull her out of it.

 

[chambabysitter1]

Did you give the store money for this poor guy or did they let her go for free?

I would have talked the store into letting you take it off their hands, considering it would die under their care anyways. Supporting the store, you could have encouraged them to buy more sickly chameleons in the future.

 

[cushcameleon]

She is basking under the bulb, her color is now a pale green, she only opens her eyes when she senses me moving around her, she is holding her mouth completely open and she is laying completely flat on the basking branch.

 

[Syn]

Your chameleon sounds in poor shape.. you probably spent a ton of money on something that won't last you more than a month in all honesty.. :\

Chameleons are so fragile. She doesn't sound like she's doing good at all.

Please make sure it's not too hot for her. Baby chameleons don't thermoregulate as well as adults. The lights should be out now.

 

[jojackson]

Letting a animal suffer is never the answer and letting them die won't stop them from bringing more in. Good luck and congrats on the new girl.

Perhaps you're right, but if your not buying, they are not selling, and if they are not selling, they wont be buying!

 

[cushcameleon]

Perhaps you're right, but if your not buying, they are not selling, and if they are not selling, they wont be buying!

Your right, thats a basic economic thought. Call me immature or illogical :/, but I just couldn't stare this chameleon in the eyes and let it die. Even if she does end up dying, at least I will learn from this experience. I'm going to do all I can, and I would greatly appreciate all the help I get. BTW I just checked out her left forearm and its straight, no bumps or bends like the picture shows (must be the angle).

 

[jojackson]

And Ill give you any I can, I admire your compassion greatly beleive it not, I wouldnt call you either, just that was what came to mind about buying them, The petstore guy from brooklyn is out to make money at the end of the day, so if hes not, he wont see it as profitable or worth his time.

I hope the cham thrives in your care, it may become your favorite!
best wishes