Help!

Synapse

Synapse

Member
This is the first problem I've ever had with my chams and I'm very worried about my little guy.

Just yesterday he basking normally, drinking normally, and hunting insects normally.

Today I found what I suspect to be regurgitated dubia and he seems very weak now. His eyes are sunken in and he is very very tired.

He has both of his eyes closed and he is sleeping on a t-shirt right now. His breathing is very steady but I am stressing right now he won't make it.

Please help! :(
 
Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - Nosy faly male approximately 8 months old.
  • Handling - Never. This is the only time he's let me handle him and it is only because he is too weak to run hide.
  • Feeding - I feed my cham crickets/dubia I gutload with repashy superload, bananas, and other healthy gutload. They are fed everyday until they are not hungry.
  • Supplements - Repashy calcium every feeding. Sometimes I skip it for a feeding.
  • Watering - Mist King run for a few minutes about 4-5 times a day.
  • Fecal Description - He has never been tested for parasites but his urates are pure white. His poop is a little bit wet?
  • History - He's never had a problem up until now.
Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - 2x2x4 diycage
  • Lighting - Reptisun 5.0 and zoomed reptile heating bulb.
  • Temperature - Temp ranges from Low 90's at the top to lower 70's at the bottom. High 60's at night time.
  • Humidity - I use many plants and mist very frequently to maintain a good humidity.
  • Plants - Yes.
  • Placement - Cage is located in the living room main window because all the chams seem to like the sunlight even though the rays don't pass through the glass.
  • Location - North NJ
 
is his stools runny or loose?

can you post a picture or him?


these questions are not to correct current problem but to better your care.

zoomed reptile heating bulb - Which one?

reptisun 5.0 - Which one?

are you using a multivitamin?
 
Reptisun flourescent 5.0 (the long one)

Exoterra 75w daytime basking bulb for the basking light

His stools are somewhat runny and sometimes they look completely fine.

I see him gaping his mouth and taking deep breath but his eyes are both still closed.

I have not supplemented with anything other than Repashy calcium for dusting and gutloaded feeders with repashy superload and fruits/vegetables.

He is still breathing steadily and I will be monitoring him further.

Will upload pix in a moment.
 
Are you seeing saliva in or around the mouth while gaping? Is he acting like hes gasping for breath? If so thats a uri infection. Either way uri or parsites he needs a vet asap. Dont wait get him in tomorrow. He needs fecal smear and float tests def.

You can save that last poop by putting it in a baggie and putting it in the fridge. Just get it in to the vet tomorrow for testing.
 
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:(:( He's my baby I hope he gets better.

It looks like he is in some serious discomfort. I feel terrible.

Every few minutes he gapes and can hear him hear him exhale.

Im so worried about him...
 
Texas Panther Man said:
Are you seeing saliva in or around the mouth while gaping? Is he acting like hes gasping for breath? If so thats a uri infection. Either way uri or parsites he needs a vet asap. Dont wait get him in tomorrow. He needs fecal smear and float tests def.

You can save that last poop by putting it in a baggie and putting it in the fridge. Just get it in to the vet tomorrow for testing.
Click to expand...

I see no saliva around his mouth when he's gaping. It's just slightly open and it does look like hes gasping for breath.

I don't know any reptile vets around here in North NJ. I'll have to look around online as I've never had to take my chams to the vet before.

I'm so stressed out :(:(:(:(
 
Texas Panther Man said:
Are you seeing saliva in or around the mouth while gaping? Is he acting like hes gasping for breath? If so thats a uri infection. Either way uri or parsites he needs a vet asap. Dont wait get him in tomorrow. He needs fecal smear and float tests def.

You can save that last poop by putting it in a baggie and putting it in the fridge. Just get it in to the vet tomorrow for testing.
Click to expand...

I see no saliva around his mouth when he's gaping. It's just slightly open and it does look like hes gasping for breath.

I don't know any reptile vets around here in North NJ. I'll have to look around online as I've never had to take my chams to the vet before.

I'm so stressed out :(:(:(:(
 
If your hearing him breath then that sounds like a uri infection. He needs antibiotics to fight that off. Ive heard some ppl try reptaid. But I'd go to my vet and get some antibiotics if it were me. And then give the reptaid after the initial treatments to help with recovery. Jmpo....
 
have u tried putting him in the shower yet? my cham had a similar problem and after a few showers and about a week he was fine. chams are so hard to diagnose imo because when they start showing thier problems its probably been going on for a while without your knowledge :/
 
If he has a uri then a shower isnt going to do anything for him. He needs antibiotics. If he was dehydrated his urates would be orange or yellow. The shower would be a good tool after giving him the antibiotics to help with hydration and kidney issues. The meds take a toll on their kidneys during treatment if they arent kept well hydrated. Find the vet listings its on the forum somewhere prob under health care. They should have one vet near you thats on the list.
 
Don't let him get to cold . Uri get worse if they are cold. And you need a vet ASAP also if the weather is good take him out.for some sun and a heavy misting until you get him to the vet. Sorry that's the best info I can give he looks so helpless :(
 
Texas Ranger said:
Don't let him get to cold . Uri get worse if they are cold. And you need a vet ASAP also if the weather is good take him out.for some sun and maneuver a heavy misting until you get him to the vet. Sorry that's the best info I can give he looks so helpless :(
Click to expand...

I'm so sad right now. He looks like he's in so much pain and there's nothing I can do. I'm just trying to keep him warm for now.

Called a few animal hospitals around here and only one had a reptile specialist... told me only time I could take them in is tomorrow morning but I'm afraid he won't make it that long. :(
 
Do you have a small heating pad? That may work to keep him warm thru the nite. Just make sure its on the lowest setting. You dont want to burn him just keep him warm.

I looked under the vet resources and there are a whole list of vets that work with herps in Nj. Sorry dont know what town your in or I'd give you the name of someone close to you. Good luck with him, I hope he pulls thru.....
 
Synapse said:
I'm so sad right now. He looks like he's in so much pain and there's nothing I can do. I'm just trying to keep him warm for now.

Called a few animal hospitals around here and only one had a reptile specialist... told me only time I could take them in is tomorrow morning but I'm afraid he won't make it that long. :(
Click to expand...

Man thats not good. Does he even open his eyes at all . And in his last poop did he look dehydrated at all?
 
Dont give up hope. He looks a little washed out color wise. But Ive seen worse he will begin to turn black when hes really crashing. I think you still have time to save him. I'd maybe try giving him a few drops of water or pedialyte (non flavored) by oral syringe tonight. You want him to stay hydrated and the pedialyte will help with both hydration and essential vits. To help him keep what strength he has left.
 
Found a vet and taking him ASAP... I don't want him to die. :(

My poor baby. I will never forgive myself if he dies.
 
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