I'm ready to post my story of the loss of my Cham.

Beelinn

Established Member
A few may remember my post almost 2 weeks ago, asking for help for my little Panther Cham girl. She fell Ill on a Sunday morning and passed away the next morning. I've learned some things so I thought I'd share.

1. When you read that females lay their eggs close to 30 days after breeding, that could be quite a ways off. In my girl's case, she was ready 11 days earlier, at 19 days after breeding.

2. Sunday is the absolute worst day for a specialty reptile to need emergency help. I am very fortunate to have 2 specialist reptile vets in my area, except on Sunday.

3. If I choose to ever try my hand at breeding again, I will make sure I have in my possession a dose of oxytocin for emergency.

I am incredibly sad and upset at the loss of my little girl. I feel like i let her down. I did so much reading and research, but it wasn't enough. She was indeed egg bound, and I didn't really believe it was possible because it was too early based on what I'd read. Had I realized it, it was still on a Sunday. Monday was too late. She was too weak. She would not have survived to lay, she would not have survived a surgery. I don't know why she didn't like my painstakingly prepared laying bin.

I feel like giving up already. I'm afraid of another heartbreaking mistake. I've waited a decade to do this little side-breeder hobby, made sure I could afford all of the equipment and had the funds necessary for care. All of it useless on a Sunday.
I can't give up yet though. My girl's final gift to me was 39 little eggs. I'm not confident, given the nature of how I had to obtain them, but I'm going to try.

I want to thank the people who were right there with me, offering advice through the ordeal.
 
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Be strong and keep her lagacy alive with those little ones.
 
I'm so very sorry for your loss! And you are right, all of the research, money, and veterinarians in the world are useless on a Sun when no one is there. It seems like it often turns out that way. I'm really sorry for your loss.
 
I'm lucky enough to have an animal emergency place not too far away that has hours that are designed to be open when most vets are not. That was key to saving my kitten's life when he threw a blood clot in the evening. They saved his life! I also have the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital that is a bit of a ride away, but they will meet you at the office if you have an emergency because they are always on call. I wonder if there are any places by you like that? If so you could stop in and see if any of them are experienced with reptiles.
 
Breeding chameleons comes with a lot of heart break. I'm so sorry you had to experience this. Breeders walk a fine line between giving the female all she needs to lay a healthy clutch and not over feeding etc. and burdening them with too large of a clutch to ever lay. Given the chance females will breed themselves to death just to get their offspring out there. Mother nature isn't always kind.
Thank you for sharing your experience so others may learn.
 
I am so sorry for your loss! Breeding chameleons has so many unpredictable and uncontrollable variables that could cause things to end up like this! Not fun! Sometikes, no matter how much experience, knowledge or money you have, and no matter who the vet is that is helping you, the outcomes are less than favorable! So don't blame yourself! You handled your predicament well!

Breeding chamelons is not equivalent to a quick rich scheme! It is hard work with a lot of roler coaster rides between point A and Point B. A lot of people new to breeding also do not realize that females are bound to get gravid with infertile eggs by just seeing a male! Due to your time lines I bet the eggs are not fertile. Though I sure hope they are in order for your females legacy to live on and for your efforts to be rewarded.

Best wishes
Matt
 
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