I have a potential problem!!! I put my hand in the cage this morning next to her face, she started opening up her mouth so I sprayed water on my hand, she kept opening her mouth but wasnt licking or anything, I put the drip hose next to her mouth and got some water in there. I continued to do that for a while. She would open and close her mouth but still nothing with her tongue. Then she closed her eyes. Each time her mouth opened, I put the water in. Then all of a sudden she started to lean down and liquid came out of her mouth. Then a blue/black thing started coming out of her mouth. ( I am assuming that is her tongues???) then she spit up white colored liquid. She moved around a ton. Now she has her eyes opened and is looking around?! Maybe she is ok, I was afraid I had drowned her!
I was given a sick chameleon, please offer suggestions!
- Thread starter bertopia
- Start date
absolutbill
Chameleon Enthusiast
First off, good for you in trying to save this little girl - we're all pulling for you on this! It sounds like she vomited - as for white liquid, I'm not sure about that. Was it mucusy (if that's a word)? Yes, you probably saw her tongue - it would be dark, like you described, with an indent in the tip of it (how they grab their prey). If her eyes are now opened that's a good sign. When you are giving her water, be careful to avoid what looks like a hole at the bottom of her mouth - that's her windpipe. Chams don't really have throats like we would think of them, it's more like a slip n' slide to their stomachs.
Good luck with her, and keep the questions coming. I know you were advised not to feed late at night, which is good, but I'd probably start feeding earlier in the morning - about 1 hour after lights on, so around 9 or so. That way you can fit in a couple of feedings for her and not overwhelm her. Maybe try to feed at 9 AM, and then around 1, to try to get even more nutrition into her. When I had a cham doing poorly I placed a plastic hat form (that you put a baseball cap in when washing it), and covered it with a small fleece blanket. That way, if they are weak there's less danger of falling and hurting themselves further. When she perks up and you aren't as afraid of it, you can remove it.
Looks like camimom beat me to the white liquid answer
Good luck with her, and keep the questions coming. I know you were advised not to feed late at night, which is good, but I'd probably start feeding earlier in the morning - about 1 hour after lights on, so around 9 or so. That way you can fit in a couple of feedings for her and not overwhelm her. Maybe try to feed at 9 AM, and then around 1, to try to get even more nutrition into her. When I had a cham doing poorly I placed a plastic hat form (that you put a baseball cap in when washing it), and covered it with a small fleece blanket. That way, if they are weak there's less danger of falling and hurting themselves further. When she perks up and you aren't as afraid of it, you can remove it.
Looks like camimom beat me to the white liquid answer
CLP
New Member
I am very glad to hear you rescued this poor girl. What a tragedy!!
As no one has mentioned it, I feel I should. You said she was housed with "red bellied" toads. I assume you mean fire bellied toads. If so, then there could be other problems too. Fire bellied toads are slightly poisonous. It is why they have red bellies - to warn off predators. They release a toxin from their skin and it will permeate the water that would have been in the tank as they are primarily water dwelling. As I own two of these, I can say the toxin is strong enough to make my hands tingle whenever I have to touch them.
Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice on what, if anything, can be done to get the toxins out of her system, except to assume that she will eventually clear them on her own. Perhaps someone here can offer advice or maybe a call/visit to a vet?
As no one has mentioned it, I feel I should. You said she was housed with "red bellied" toads. I assume you mean fire bellied toads. If so, then there could be other problems too. Fire bellied toads are slightly poisonous. It is why they have red bellies - to warn off predators. They release a toxin from their skin and it will permeate the water that would have been in the tank as they are primarily water dwelling. As I own two of these, I can say the toxin is strong enough to make my hands tingle whenever I have to touch them.
Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice on what, if anything, can be done to get the toxins out of her system, except to assume that she will eventually clear them on her own. Perhaps someone here can offer advice or maybe a call/visit to a vet?
First off, good for you in trying to save this little girl - we're all pulling for you on this! It sounds like she vomited - as for white liquid, I'm not sure about that. Was it mucusy (if that's a word)? Yes, you probably saw her tongue - it would be dark, like you described, with an indent in the tip of it (how they grab their prey). If her eyes are now opened that's a good sign. When you are giving her water, be careful to avoid what looks like a hole at the bottom of her mouth - that's her windpipe. Chams don't really have throats like we would think of them, it's more like a slip n' slide to their stomachs.
Good luck with her, and keep the questions coming. I know you were advised not to feed late at night, which is good, but I'd probably start feeding earlier in the morning - about 1 hour after lights on, so around 9 or so. That way you can fit in a couple of feedings for her and not overwhelm her. Maybe try to feed at 9 AM, and then around 1, to try to get even more nutrition into her. When I had a cham doing poorly I placed a plastic hat form (that you put a baseball cap in when washing it), and covered it with a small fleece blanket. That way, if they are weak there's less danger of falling and hurting themselves further. When she perks up and you aren't as afraid of it, you can remove it.
Looks like camimom beat me to the white liquid answer
It was mucusy! I wasn't sure how to explain it! I have a few crickets in her cage, but I have to go to work now. How do I hand feed? I haven't ever done that with crickets before. She doesn't seem to be using her tongue at all.
Here is a video of a shower I did in our kitchen sink. Please ignore all the chatter, my husband and I were getting the kids ready for school this morning. Let me know what you think. At the end when she starts to open her mouth, that is what she was doing earlier when I put water in her mouth. What does that mean?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bertopiageckos/8009209428/
I am not sure what type of toads, but that is horrible if they are toxic. Can a chameleon recover after that?
Yay, Looks like she was drinking to me. I haven't had a chameleon yet but, did have ti force feed a water dragon several years ago and it's stressful for them a little but if you can get food in her for a few days I better it would make a world of difference. Make sure you add her calcium to it.
my hubby just called and unfortunately the sweet little chameleon didn't make it. I am so depressed. I really was hoping to get her better.From the video I posted above, she was looking so much better. At least I thought so, without knowledge of chameleons I didn't know what to look for.
Thank you everyone for all your help and information! If my husband and I ever decide to purchase a chameleon for ourselves, I know where I will come to ask questions and do research!
Even though I only had this little one for a few hours, I am extremely saddened by the loss of her. I didn't even know her name.
MollyT
New Member
Aww! I hate to hear that! I have to admit, I was hopeful after watching the video bc she was moving around pretty well. You did everything you could to help her. I'm so sorry she didn't make it. You can, however, take comfort in knowing that her last days were spent with someone who really cared for her and was doing everything they could to help her. Personally, I wouldn't have wanted to have kept her same name. Give her a name from you.
That is such a bummer!
That is such a bummer!
Aww! I hate to hear that! I have to admit, I was hopeful after watching the video bc she was moving around pretty well. You did everything you could to help her. I'm so sorry she didn't make it. You can, however, take comfort in knowing that her last days were spent with someone who really cared for her and was doing everything they could to help her. Personally, I wouldn't have wanted to have kept her same name. Give her a name from you.
That is such a bummer!
I thought the same thing! She looked like she was doing great on the video! I am the type that will always wonder if I did something wrong or if I could have done more. Maybe I will call her "Sweetheart" since she was one.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Awe sorry to hear she did not make it. I hope your friends are done with chameleon ownership. Maybe you are a better person than me, but I would sure be reading them the riot act. It is just so irresponsible. Like you said, if you decide to get another now you have a place to come to learn all about them.
lisagr07
Avid Member
twatts704
New Member
I was just about to post that I think you should tell them that there set up for their chams have been all wrong. Tell them to check this forum out and not neccisarily to stop buying them. Cause let's face it.. they won't listen to anyone lol. But at least they can be more informed here if they do decide to get one.
And I really hope you do decide to get a chameleon of your own! You have a big heart and it shows! There are many breeders on this site that sell their babies and even adults of all different types. Maybe familiarize yourself more with them and then come find one here!
I know "sweetheart" appreciated you doing all that you could. And trust me, I am in the same boat. I took in a female veiled that was in very bad shape and she is doing really well now. You did all you could. Sometimes in these situations it is just too far gone! Keep your head up though. You are a kind person and a great reptile keeper! Hope to see you on here more.
slinko9
New Member
So very sad to see such a humaine effort to save the poor girl turn out so tragic!!! As i read each addition to this thread as it unfolded i was filled with optimism and hope!!! And now the sadness hits as if it were my very own pet that passed!!!
Its a nice feeling to know that she died feeling love from you guys and not alone!!!
Bravo to you for all your efforts!!!!
Now im tearing!!!!
Its a nice feeling to know that she died feeling love from you guys and not alone!!!
Bravo to you for all your efforts!!!!
Now im tearing!!!!
Djturna4thakidz
Established Member
This thread is so sad. These little animals need such specialized care, it is so insensitive to just throw them in a cage without doing research first. They are live creatures and desearve to be treated with respect. Please have a talk with you neighbors and try to inform them so this does not happen again... seeing as this is the third chameleon they have purchased.
absolutbill
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm so sorry that it ended this way. I too was happy to see Sweetheart starting to drink at the end of the video, but sometimes that's just not enough. I think that instead of reading your neighbors the riot act (yes, it's my first choice, but that will just make them get another cham to prove you wrong), you can tell them that she passed, but that you're excited that you found a friendly forum to ask questions and you learned a lot. Maybe if you approach it that way, your neighbors will be more likely to come check us out, instead of shutting down and thinking that they are fine as cham keepers. Worth a shot anyway. Sorry for your loss, but hope that we will see you back here sometime with a cham of your own who is thriving!
CLP
New Member
So sorry to hear she didn't make it I was really hoping she'd pull through and have many wonderful years in your care. Yes, please make sure your neighbours know about this forum so perhaps if they decide to get another chameleon, that one will have proper care.
Sorry for your loss, but thank you for being such a caring animal lover.
I was really hoping she'd pull through and have many wonderful years in your care. Yes, please make sure your neighbours know about this forum so perhaps if they decide to get another chameleon, that one will have proper care. Sorry for your loss, but thank you for being such a caring animal lover.
