Hyde - Sunken Eyes

[lfalsett59]

Our girl still hasn't layed her eggs yet.
Here is my big question.
She has slightly sunken eyes. Sign of dehydration right.
She is at my pet shop's owner's house right now. We all can not understand this one thing. Every where else she looks as strong as a bull.

Any thoughts?

I personally since I have her, 6 months, have never seen her drink?????? where has she been getting her fluids from???

 

[carol5208]

do you run a dripper??? some people never see their chameleons drink. what do you use for feeders? some feeders such as silkworms and hornworms can provide some hydration. you say she hasn't laid eggs...does she have eggs right now or you mean she just hasn't produced any to lay?

 

[Olimpia]

Sunken eyes can indicate stress as well (which is why you'll see chameleons suck them in when at the vet's office or when ill) so if she's wanting to lay her eggs and can't as is starting to feel stressed or uncomfortable that may be a reason she's sucking her eyes in. Remember that if a female cannot lay eggs for one reason or another they will succumb to something known as egg-binding, which is fatal unless the eggs are induced to lay with a shot of oxytocin or removed surgically.

Does she have a place to lay? Ideally, you'd want an opaque bin that contains at least 12" in depth of moist sand/soil/mix that can hold a tunnel, and is at least another 8-12" wide. When females refuse to lay for one reason or another people have been known for using something like a kitchen trash can, filling it with the laying medium and leaving the females there with no way out. It usually is one way to force them to lay if they need to, and not continue to just pace around looking for a spot. She must also have privacy, because if she feels watched and unsafe she will not lay them either.

 

[lfalsett59]

responses to questions

Yes I do have a dripper, plus I mist 3 to 4x daily. She was eating combination my plants , Hibiscus, Scleferra, Super worms & tons of crickets.
She slowed then to a complete ignore of the crickets, I think.
I say this because the crickets are all gone now, so I am convinced she ate them but just at a real slow pace.
Now she has just been eating the superworms. Calcium dusting, 2 to 3x per week. I have heat lamps and the proper uv lighting.
Yes I have a laying bin, which consists of a 12" wide x 18"long x 20" deep, filled with a 70/30 sand / organic soil mix, moist enough so she can tunnel easily and it wont collapse on her. There is a means for her to climb in and out within her 2' x 2' x 4' enclosure.
THere is plenty of fake foliage. Vines, etc. I almost think it might be too congested.

As of right now she is at the pet shop owners house. There thoughts were to try to get her to mate, thinking it may encourage her to lay the eggs more naturally.

 

[carol5208]

can you post a few pics of her? So do you think she is carrying eggs then?

 

[jannb]

Did you ever take her to the vets? Sunken eyes can also mean they are sick.

Carol, here an earlier thread.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/hyde-unsure-if-she-egg-laiden-93923/

 

[lfalsett59]

Most definitely carrying eggs you can see just above hind quarters

 

[lfalsett59]

I called her and based on my explanation and pictures, she did not push the fact of bringing her in.

 

[ataraxia]

Veileds generally have recessed turrets, that kinda give the appearance that they are dehydrated or ill. Im not saying this is the case but looking at your other pictures her turrets look fine to me.

Honestly, looking for the answers here is only delaying what really hsould happen right now..A vet visit. Time is of the essence when dealing with a possible egg bound animal. Something inside could be obstructing her enabling her to release the eggs, her calcium/nutrient levels may be out of whack and if needed oxytocin. If you wait to long oxytocin will have zero affect on her situation.

 

[lfalsett59]

When I bring her home tonight I will bring to vet.

Hope she is okay.

 

[AngieL]

Don't mate her if she already has eggs! She'll be non receptive and it'll likely stress her more.

I'm glad you're taking her to the vet, they can help her lay if that's what she needs

 

[lfalsett59]

Hey Guys - major breakthrough this morning!

I actually saw Hyde drink water while misting. I have Vet appointment for her this Sat. morning, best I could do. Maybe she will surprise me and lay eggs before then.

I was ecstatic when she drank, and she drank with vigor. She actually came running to the water. while I was misting. I think I could have used a medicine dropper and she would have been all over it !

I am so grateful for everyone's input. You are a great bunch.

 

[mcbdz]

Good luck with her. You may want to try the trash can for one last effort. With lots of privacy. Has she eaten for you? Also you may want to update your help forum questionaire and print it out. Will help with the Dr. visit.

 

[lfalsett59]

My intent is to try the trash can idea tonight when I get home from work.

Im hoping all works out for her. It was so cool to watch her drink, a blessing. I am a whole lot stressed out now. Never mind her. lol