Help with a sick chameleon?

[Cicada]

Ok, wow, sorry that this reply's so late.
We did take him to the vet and they didn't give him an injection because they said he wouldn't take it well.
I now have to force-feed him this special canned dog/cat food that apparently has a lot of calcium and some calcium medicine with a syringe.
He's really not doing well at all. He's always on the bottom of his cage and I know that that's not normal. I wish I could say we got all the supplies, but my mom won't buy any because he might (well now he's probably going to) die. So yeah, no correct lighting, no screen cage, no proper supplements...see ya Basil.

I feel awful because this's pretty much all my fault. I thought the pet shop lady knew what she was talking about when she said the vitamins she gave me were fine and he'd do well in a glass aquarium. :\

Anyway, thanks to everyone.

And everyone's asking where I live- I live in a tiny town in Illinois.

 

[Kat77]

Ok, wow, sorry that this reply's so late.
We did take him to the vet and they didn't give him an injection because they said he wouldn't take it well.
I now have to force-feed him this special canned dog/cat food that apparently has a lot of calcium and some calcium medicine with a syringe.
He's really not doing well at all. He's always on the bottom of his cage and I know that that's not normal. I wish I could say we got all the supplies, but my mom won't buy any because he might (well now he's probably going to) die. So yeah, no correct lighting, no screen cage, no proper supplements...see ya Basil.

I feel awful because this's pretty much all my fault. I thought the pet shop lady knew what she was talking about when she said the vitamins she gave me were fine and he'd do well in a glass aquarium. :\

Anyway, thanks to everyone.

And everyone's asking where I live- I live in a tiny town in Illinois.

I'm sorry Cicada. But look at it this way, when you get another one (and I hope you do, someday, now you have all of this info!) you will do everything right. And we will always be here to help. It isn't all your fault. It is the fault of people in these pet stores who don't know their butts from a hole in the ground when it comes to their animals, and ESPECIALLY chameleons. You didn't do anything wrong. If any of us came down hard on you, it was because we were trying to portray the urgency of the situation, not because anyone thinks you are a terrible person. You did the right thing, seeking out help for Basil. Keep us posted, and try not to feel too bad, you did the very best that you could.

 

[Chamero]

Just had to say good thread people. Read through it and theres a lot of good information and good help. Just another good thing about the forum. Keep it up guys.

P.S. I too have some loaner cages if needed. O.C. area...

 

[chamlover]

Try not to feel too bad, it is not all your fault. There are alot of us on this forum that have listened to pet store workers or others thinking that they knew what they were talking about only to find out the hard way that they didn't. You have done all u can do. You asked for help from us on the forum and u asked your mom to help and u brought him to the vets, there isn't too much more you could have done. If you lived close to me i would take him for u to see if i could help, but u live a little far. Think of this as a learning experience. Chameleons are a delicate species to keep and even experienced keepers will lose chams. Next time BEFORE you get any animal, do the research and find out exactly what kind of care they need that way you won't get blindsighted. Is there anyway your mom could take him to another vet? If he is still alive it would have to be asap. I don't see how giving him an injection for hydration and calcium would be anymore stressful than trying to force feed him. I'm sorry things didn't work out this time but if you really enjoy chams continue to participate on the forum and continue to learn and maybe when you are 16 and can get a part-time job to support your hobby you can get another one. Animal ownership is expensive no matter what kind you get.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Debby

 

[mika]

How's he doing? Maybe someone here from Illinois can help you out...