I think i have a Big Problem!!

[chamlover]

My NosyBe Amadaous has been having trouble with his eyes for the last week. The vet said he didn't see anything wrong and when i suggested a throat culture or blood test he said he didn't think it was necessary. He couldn't get a poop sample but said nothing seemed to be wrong with his eyes, no dehydration, just prescribed Baytril. He has been on that for 5 days now and is worse. Both eyes are closed most of the day, he stopped eating 2 days ago, he's still very lethargic and i have found him on the bottom of his cage a few times. Mind you it has been hot so idon't know if that was from heat or not. I finally did get a poop sample for him and he said he had pinworms and gave me some panacur. He is now a little dehydrated too. When i bathed him with warm water and pedialyte i dont know if i got some down the wrong way or not but while i was sitting outside with him getting him some sun i noticed i could hear popping every so often, he also seems to have a little more sticky saliva than usual. To me it sounds like he might have a URI. I've called my vet at 9 and still haven't heard from him. I think i'm going to call someone else. I'm really worried this guy might be on his way out. I don't know if i'm paranoid or not. Help.

Debby

 

[SoCaliSon]

Wish I had could help Debby, Just wanted to say sounds like you are doing everything you can...Good Luck.

Edit: I don't know a whole lot about the meds... Hopefully someone who does can chime in on if this prescription sounds correct.

 

[dodolah]

hey Debbie,
for now, i think what you can do is add the sunbathing opportunities for him (whenever the weather permit).
I put pedialyte in his dripper (if your cham still lick the water).
Check up on him tomorrow if the clicking still happen.


Are you force feeding the cham right now?
if not, hornworm probably best for this condition since they have lots of protein and water content. and for extra caution, you can inject some water into the hornworms' body.

I agree with SoCalison, i think you have done the best you can.
As soon as the vet available, bring him back again.
I hope he will make it through.

 

[JoshCrane1]

sounds like maybe the vet doesnt know much about chameleons.

 

[Dave Weldon]

...Both eyes are closed most of the day
...he stopped eating 2 days ago
...he's still very lethargic
...bathed him with warm water and pedialyte
...i could hear popping every so often, he also seems to have a little more sticky saliva than usual.
...I'm really worried this guy might be on his way out.

Howdy Debby,

I'm really grabbing at straws here...

Day-time eye closure can be viewed as a symptom of a serious chameleon health issue. As we have seen from many of the past eye closure posts, it may begin with one eye and then the other or both at once. You are right to be concerned that he might be on his way out since at this point it will become harder but not impossible to turn things around .

Since his lack of interest in food is a symptom of his illness and not the cause of it and since chameleons can usually do ok without food for a few more days, it is probably too early to trade-off the stress of force-feeding for its potential food value.

Rather than a water and pedialyte bath, consider a long warm water misting and maybe an eye dropper with 50/50 water and pedialyte if he will drink it.

I'm betting that your hydration, temps, supplements, foods, lighting are all within acceptable parameters. There are just so many diseases that could be involved that I'm having trouble thinking of something useful to suggest that others haven't already mentioned. It sounds like he's pooped so I don't expect impaction.

I suppose that it would be useful to post the: https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/. We might spot something... Photos of him as well as his setup would be a good idea too.

 

[CleanLineChameleons]

I agree with Dave. I wouldn't say that Batryl will solve this one. It doesn't sound like an infection at all. Is your Mellers a WC, if so get some Panacur and Flagyl if you have not already treated him for worms and parasites.

I feel that one of the only ways to know how a chameleon feels is in their eyes. Their eyes being closed does not necessarily mean their is something with their eyes or nasal cavity, like an infection, but could mean that they are not feeling up to par. Which means either something in their husbandry or parasite or worms...there are a number of possibilities. I have not read your previous posts so I don't know if it is WC or CB but if it is WC I would be willing to bet that worms or parasites are taking their toll on your chameleon and that is why you are seeing your chameleon closing his eyes.

-chris

 

[chamlover]

This is not my w/c melleri (his poop is clean) but my c/b nosybe that i have had for 7-8 mos with no problem at all. Vet said he did have roundworms and told me to give him panacur but he still hasnt got back to me as to how much. Does anyone know? He weighs 102 grams.

His basking is up to 92
His ambient up to 80 ( i put him in my isolation (bathroom ) room so i
can bump up the heat i think i should also put a small fan in there as
well. It's the bathroom and i have been turning on the shower 1x day
for 20 minutes to get the humidity level up.
I am only misting 2x day for 10 min
have been letting him sit in warm water (on my hand) while giving him
50/50 water/ped with dropper ( he drank a lot today, even drank when
i misted him.
Ate 1 small silkworm
Also started terramycin seems to help some (eyes still closing)
Also gave him a little bit of pediasure ( he loves that)
Used 2 drops of appetite plus by Nature Zone
He's been on Baytil only .02 i think for over a week and is getting worse
Much more popping today and alot of mucos

Anything else i can do? Should i ask the vet to change meds?

Help Please!! I can't lose my baby!!!Sniffle sniffle

Debby

And to make it worse we are leaving tomorrow to go to the hamburg show. I will have to bring him with me because my daughter will be caring for the others but won't be able to take really good care of him.

 

[Brad]

Hi Debby

What are you feeding your chameleon and what are you gutloading those feeders with? Do you have any pictures?

 

[Kat77]

Debby,

I wish I had some info to give you, but I just wanted to say that we'll be thinking about you and your little guy. I hope he gets better!

Kat

 

[Chameleon Company]

Debby,

Wish that I had answers for all of the possibilities here. You asked about Baytril, "vet knowing what he is doing", etc. You also noted heavy saliva/gumminess, and a possible URI. First off, were it a URI, or possibly upper esophageal infection, the latter having the excessive gumminess as a symptom, Baytril is the effective antibiotic in about 90% of such cases. Without the vet doing an actual culture and sensitivity panel, you can't know 100%. At the same time, a proper baytril regimen is not going to materially hurt your animal. There's just a chance it won't be effective against the possible bacteria involved. As noted by others, the eye closing could be symptomatic of many other problems. Hope it pulls through.

 

[chamlover]

I am feeding my chams crickets, silkworms, and hornworms. I gutload them with greens, sweet potato, carrots, and stuff. Just went brain dead. I dust them with calcium wo d3 every other day, w d3 2 x mo and vitamins 2 x month, Yes my insects get the same regimen as my chams almost. I suggested a saliva check and my vet didn't think it was a good idea. He also didn't know 2 chams can't be buddies. I have another vet lined up on Monday if he makes it until then. I have heard of others cleaning the thick mucus out, how do you do that? Should i do that?
I don't want to take a pic right now he is sleeping. I'll take one tomorrow. He looks good and had a much nastier attitude today then yesterday so keep your fingers crossed.

Debby

 

[mika]

This is not my w/c melleri (his poop is clean) but my c/b nosybe that i have had for 7-8 mos with no problem at all. Vet said he did have roundworms and told me to give him panacur but he still hasnt got back to me as to how much. Does anyone know? He weighs 102 grams.

Did your panacur come with a syringe?

I have mine in a bottle that I just squeeze and it gives me a drop.

 

[Dave Weldon]

...Vet said he did have roundworms and told me to give him panacur but he still hasnt got back to me as to how much. Does anyone know? He weighs 102 grams...

Howdy Debby,

Assuming that your Panacur concentration is the typical value then the dose is often called out as 1cc/kg of chameleon weight. That makes your chameleon's dose to be 0.1cc. Some regiments are to dose at that level for 3 days in a row and then again 2 weeks later. With Panacur, you are unlikely to overdose with it since even double or triple the normal dose won't have an adverse effect but stick with the proper dose anyway .