Jackson very sickly, possibly MBD

[ChamomilleCame]

Hi everyone. Long time no see. I was in camp for 6 weeks (since June 22 to yesterday) and I had to leave my boy Camomile to my family. I left them careful instructions on what to do. I even left them a video on how I do everything to keep him alive. Once I came home, I noticed there was no UVB lamp. I don't know how, but my sister had lost it. After that, I asked my mom if they had been using the calcium powders and she said no. I took a close look at him and noticed that his jaw was moved to one side. I also looked at his right front leg and noticed it was swollen real bad. His eyes look kind of sunken, too. He is not active as he used to be They said that he hasn't eaten a lot these past days. I'll take him to the vet soon, but for now, what should I do? I will post pictures of him when I can.

 

[Miss Lily]

Awww, I am so sorry you came home to find Chamomile sick. Your family should be the ones over anyone else that you can trust to look after him, yet they didn't. I should think you are so mad at them right now, I know I would be. I hope the vet can help him. It would be good if Xanthoman could add his thoughts to this thread.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

Sorry to hear this...
As for course of action id recommend.......

A) Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more
B) Natural sunlight + a bit of calcium with feeders
C) Vet is definitely in order to find the reason for swelling, and to check for possible mbd

 

[Elizadolots]

Well, that really blows....

I agree with Al's prescription. Hydrate and hydrate and just when you think he's had enough, hydrate some more. It's amazing how helpful that can be. I'm going to guess the people who managed to a) lose a major piece of equipment (how does that happen?) and b) ignore all your instructions didn't bother to mist at all.

It's possible that something else has happened to cause the mouth displacement and the swelling. I'm thinking there was unapproved, inappropriate handling of your chameleon while you were away (can you check your sister's hands and arms for signs she might have been bitten? I can see a bite earning him a hard toss into the cage resulting in both injuries).

MBD is a long term problem. I rather doubt a previously healthy chameleon would show signs of MBD even after 6 weeks with no calcium.

Obviously you are going to need to make other arrangements for your chameleon in the future. Those people are not to be trusted.

 

[carol5208]

I kinda agree with Eliza and think that 6 weeks may not be all that long of a span of time to cause MBD. Not saying it is impossible though, just kinda going by examples of others who have come to the forums with MBD chameleons. Wow, I wasn't going to say anything but man....I would be totally upset with my family. I had a bad experience with a newphew watching my dog many years ago. I never said anything to him to keep peace, but he did not live with me. I knew after that, I could never trust him with any pets or my house again. Sorry your guy is ill and I hope you get to the bottom of his problems after your vet visit. What a mystery where an item like a UVB lamp could just disappear....