I am in need of SERIOUS help!!!!

[FroggtheCham]

Well for all of you following my posts on Joey, it is confirmed today that Joey is indeed a girl. Unfortunately she is a girl with gifts..... The consensus is her new behavior is due to possible abdominal discomfort, especially since I have been giving her reptaid since Saturday. She is wildcaught of unknown age. I need some help on what to do. I obviously have an egg bin going to put in her space and will continue to give pedialyte and extra mistings. She has been off food for about 2 days. I'm assuming the reptaid has probably put her into "labor"? Nothing ever goes easy for me. I feel horrible for her, and I know our chances of being successful with this are grim. I'm hoping for the best. So let me have it.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

What are the current outstanding issues she is suffering from?

Is it possible she may be getting too much attention?

I would suggest a trip to the vet, but I'm afraid it's not clear here what the issue is.

 

[draetish]

Franie how could you have known? Nobody is going to "let you have it". Don't panic, you and Joey will get through this. How did you find out, xrays?

 

[FroggtheCham]

I called my vet earlier this week (he was on vacation last week) to have him see if he could sex Joey from the x-ray taken of her leg. He called me this evening and said it is a girl and she is gravid. She is wild caught only 3 weeks in my care and not in good condition to lay eggs right now. If she's ready, it's not like I have a choice. I am afraid I could have put her in early labor by giving her reptaid. This is my first mature female, not too mention my first gravid female and my first wild caught animal.

 

[justjumpit621]

Yes I have read on the instructions not to give it to a gravid female but I never knew why. As long as the lay bin is in with her all you can do is wait. No more reptaid or pedialyte, just very very long mistings and peace and quiet. See how that goes for a few days and see if she explores the lay bin. If she doesn't lay for a while and is still off food and seems uncomfortable, I suggest another xray because she may be egg bound which is fatal.

 

[kinyonga]

Thought you might like to read this thread...
"We have used Reptaid for gravid female chameleons and many people have used it, with our encouragement, on gravid females of other species, without any problem. No problem to the female, no problem with the eggs, and no problem with the babies once they are hatched. "...
http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=114920&start=15&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

[Elizadolots]

Just noting that the link Kinyonga provided says the warning stems from testing on mammals. Having experience with drug testing protocol, I can imagine that even for vet use, "rabbits, cats and dogs" are the gold standard and all labeling is based on those results. As she quoted the very relevant part, I wanted to clarify that for any who wondered why the label said NO.

 

[laurie]

Franie just relax, this will all be ok. I worried my self sick waiting for Tuffy to lay. Same situation, w/c gravid, I adopted her from ChamEO. She did not arrive to fish & game in good shape. Elisa did wonders for her then she can to me. She successfully laid 3 clutches. I lost the first clutch because I let the eggs get too cold, 2nd clutch is the nine running around downstairs, 3rd clutch molded after a few days. Tuffy is still chugging along. I am sure you will have things go well. I can say relax but I know you can't. Just hang in there, we are all here for support.

 

[Elizadolots]

My experience is limited, but it does include losing a female because she couldn't lay. I know you have a laying bin in there, but have you draped off that part of the cage so she thinks it's "private" and her sanctuary? You probably have and haven't mentioned it. I point it out just in case.

 

[FroggtheCham]

Franie just relax, this will all be ok. I worried my self sick waiting for Tuffy to lay. Same situation, w/c gravid, I adopted her from ChamEO. She did not arrive to fish & game in good shape. Elisa did wonders for her then she can to me. She successfully laid 3 clutches. I lost the first clutch because I let the eggs get too cold, 2nd clutch is the nine running around downstairs, 3rd clutch molded after a few days. Tuffy is still chugging along. I am sure you will have things go well. I can say relax but I know you can't. Just hang in there, we are all here for support.

Thank you Laurie!! I'm trying to keep it together I was expecting a challenge, but this caught me off guard. I wouldn't be anywhere near this upset if I had her longer and she was acclimated and in better health. I just worry about her.

My experience is limited, but it does include losing a female because she couldn't lay. I know you have a laying bin in there, but have you draped off that part of the cage so she thinks it's "private" and her sanctuary? You probably have and haven't mentioned it. I point it out just in case.

Thank you for the suggestion!! She is in a free range room. I have a large bin in there that has a lid, so I'm able to rest the lid over the container some and drape the sides so it's dark except the in and out door for her. She hasn't come down to wander around yet, and I'll be putting the bin in this morning.

 

[justjumpit621]

Just make sure it isnt too hidden or she may not know the sand is there.

 

[chams1]

Franie: I'll try calling you in a bit. In the meantime, please try not to panic as that's the worst thing you can do. Just make sure she has the proper tools for any other cham in her situation (i.e. leave her alone, make sure she has a good sized laying bin with the proper substrate and plenty of water). Let her relax and go about her business. The last 3 weeks have been stressful for her (not to mention the time she was with her "former keeper") which I'm sure didn't help her situation, although there's no way you could have known. For all 3 of Newbie's clutches, you would never have known she was carrying all those eggs as she didn't go through the normal "gravid" routine.

I'll call you in a bit.

Julie