Help traumatic transport

[saltychameleon]

I adopted a Nosy B this past Sunday and the man that transported him did so while he was in his screen enclosure in the back of a truck. This poor little fella had a 45 minute drive on the freeway he’s missing multiple nails and hasn’t opened his eyes. He seemed to be very thirsty and/or feisty slowly biting at the mist. He ate one roach right after getting here but hasn’t eaten anything else. Is there anything I can do for him aside from leave him alone?

He’s in a 2x2x4 all screen
Manual misting in the morning and evening until I install the mistking today/tomorrow.
Fogger running at night.
Arcadia 6% running 12 on/12 off.
50w heat bulb, basking spot 80 degrees
Humidity 60% during the day.

 

[VeiledMoodRing]

I don't know much but maybe cover his cage on some sides (that helped my cham when I got him) and have him in a low traffic area, also keeping an eye on him with out him knowing it.

 

[ehdee6]

Unfortunately; in times like this, you're doing everything right. You have to give them space and time to adjust. If you can afford a wifi pet cam, or have an extra phone to spare, it's a good way to keep a discreet eye on them.

They can go a few days without food, but the sleeping is highly disconcerting. If this behavior continues into Friday I would consider a Vet visit.

Please keep us updated. I'm in Canada, so can't recommend a local Vet, but I'm sure if you provide a location another member can recommend you one.

Chameleon's can't hear, but their other sentences make up for it. Try and keep him in a low traffic area, and as you know, try to observe him from a distance for the time being.

Thank you for saving him from a horrendous owner! If you need anything, ask! We're here to help.

 

[kinyonga]

Was the cage open to the breeze created by the truck moving rapidly down the road?

Temperature in the back of the truck?

Full sun? Shade?

 

[saltychameleon]

Unfortunately; in times like this, you're doing everything right. You have to give them space and time to adjust. If you can afford a wifi pet cam, or have an extra phone to spare, it's a good way to keep a discreet eye on them.

They can go a few days without food, but the sleeping is highly disconcerting. If this behavior continues into Friday I would consider a Vet visit.

Please keep us updated. I'm in Canada, so can't recommend a local Vet, but I'm sure if you provide a location another member can recommend you one.

Chameleon's can't hear, but their other sentences make up for it. Try and keep him in a low traffic area, and as you know, try to observe him from a distance for the time being.

Thank you for saving him from a horrendous owner! If you need anything, ask! We're here to help.

I’m lucky enough to have an exotics vet a block away, I was just trying to avoid the vet bill but I’ll give them a call tomorrow to see what they recommend.

Thank you.

 

[saltychameleon]

Was the cage open to the breeze created by the truck moving rapidly down the road?

Temperature in the back of the truck?

Full sun? Shade?

He was covered with a comforter that the man said was, “flapping around.” It’s about 50-60 degrees here and with 60+ mile per hour winds I imagine it was much cooler however he has shown very little interest in his heat lamp. I added white plant LEDs that he seemed to explore with his eyes shut. He’s staying toward the top of his enclosure opposite the heat lamp. The enclosure is very overgrown but I don’t want to disturb him by thinning. I did, however, spray off the leaves because there was plenty of poo present and I wanted him to have drinking surface.

 

[absolutbill]

I'm wondering if he has dust/sand in his eyes from being in the back of the truck. That might contribute to him keeping them shut. I do agree a vet visit is warranted - please be aware, vets who are exotic vets don't necessarily have chameleon knowledge. When you call ask how many chameleon clients they have, and try to gauge from their answers. Good luck - and if the man is dumb enough to transport him that way then he's absolutely better off with you!

 

[Beman]

With that traumatic of a move I personally would not take him anywhere for at least a few days. It could take him a week to fully come out of this. If this is a full stress response by keeping his eyes closed, doing anything more right now could do more harm than good. I do feel that a vet visit with a good exotic vet that knows chams is a good idea, just not right now.

I also would not install the mistking right now. He has not had one and you will be causing more stress. Until he bounces back and is no longer in a stress shut down keep your interaction and changes to a minimum. This means do not change his view point that he is already accustomed to. So no side panels etc. If he was used to the screen being his view then you do not want to add another layer of stress.

Besides his eyes being closed his overall body condition looks good. Not showing weight reduction that would lead to a full shut down of his body. Now if the casque and cheeks start sinking in or his turrets sink in that indicates he is actually shutting down. This is a cause for major concern.

Keep the dripper going. As he starts to slowly perk up and move around he will find it. This is when you can try to feed him as well.