My Buddy is Sick

[kinyonga]

The sore on his mouth could be mouth rot. If it is it will need to be cleaned out by a vet and a culture and sensitivity test done on it so that he can be given the appropriate antibiotic to clear it up. If its left untreated it could become systemic.

As for the MBD...the quickest way to correct the imbalance is for a vet to give him calcium injections until the blood calcium levels are high enough to give him a shot of calcitonin to draw the calcium back into the bones rapidly. MBD not only affects the bones but other systems in the chameleon as well.

In the meantime (until you can get it to a vet) you could use liquid calcium sandoz or calcium gluconate. These are syrupy and should be given a little at a time since chameleons have difficulty swallowing it. You will need a dropper or needleless syringe to give it to him. This is absorbed more readily than the powders are.

Good luck!

 

[anarchy13]

The sore on his mouth could be mouth rot. If it is it will need to be cleaned out by a vet and a culture and sensitivity test done on it so that he can be given the appropriate antibiotic to clear it up. If its left untreated it could become systemic.

As for the MBD...the quickest way to correct the imbalance is for a vet to give him calcium injections until the blood calcium levels are high enough to give him a shot of calcitonin to draw the calcium back into the bones rapidly. MBD not only affects the bones but other systems in the chameleon as well.

In the meantime (until you can get it to a vet) you could use liquid calcium sandoz or calcium gluconate. These are syrupy and should be given a little at a time since chameleons have difficulty swallowing it. You will need a dropper or needleless syringe to give it to him. This is absorbed more readily than the powders are.

Good luck!

Thank Youuuuuuu will try my best to get something calcium related into his mouth will probly take the powder and try to liquify it by mixing it into water but what if hes not eating and I cant get him to open his mouth?!!!!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Thank Youuuuuuu will try my best to get something calcium related into his mouth will probly take the powder and try to liquify it by mixing it into water but what if hes not eating and I cant get him to open his mouth?!!!!

You can try to gently pull on the skin under his mouth if he won't open it for you.
You have to be very careful when giving a Chameleon liquids, only give one or two drops at a time for him to swallow. Drinking too quickly can easily choke him.

 

[anarchy13]

You can try to gently pull on the skin under his mouth if he won't open it for you.
You have to be very careful when giving a Chameleon liquids, only give one or two drops at a time for him to swallow. Drinking too quickly can easily choke him.

Thanks for the TIP i didnt know that!!! Good to know alot of this stuff or sometimes u can make the problem worse right?

See I already tried to get his mouth open by trying to get my thumb between his lips and pulling down but that did not work!!! ITS SHUT TOO TIGHT!!!

Tomorrow will be my vet visit will ask about the injections. Do all small animal vets do this? I live out in the country and sometimes it seems like we are alittle behind the times!!!

 

[Solid Snake]

I would read this whole thread before forcing anything.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/warning-all-chameleon-owners-80201/
The way I have to get my jacksons mouth open for meds, is to hold her at a downward angle, her body in my hand, my forefinger, and thumb around her neck, holding her secure. Using the side, of the tip of the syringe, I press down on the front, or side of her mouth, she opens eventually, and I just drop it right in the very front of her mouth. No more than a drop or two at a time. Then let her swallow.

This is also good reading:https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/454-dehydration-solutions-force-fluid-tips.html


Just want to stress, that this is dangerous, if you do it wrong.

Good luck!

 

[anarchy13]

I would read this whole thread before forcing anything.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/warning-all-chameleon-owners-80201/
The way I have to get my jacksons mouth open for meds, is to hold her at a downward angle, her body in my hand, my forefinger, and thumb around her neck, holding her secure. Using the side, of the tip of the syringe, I press down on the front, or side of her mouth, she opens eventually, and I just drop it right in the very front of her mouth. No more than a drop or two at a time. Then let her swallow.

This is also good reading:https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/454-dehydration-solutions-force-fluid-tips.html


Just want to stress, that this is dangerous, if you do it wrong.

Good luck!

Thanks Abunch

 

[anarchy13]

Update

Ok the vet does not think Hugo my Vieled Chameleon (pictured in the beginning of this thread) has MBD. She refused to give him a calcium shot but therefor gave him a Multi-Vitamin shot and a general antiboiotic for the sore on his lip. She also took a swab sample of the sore on his lip and had it sent off to the lab and wont know the results till this weekend. She also said I should leave the lights on overnight so he can get all the UV rays he needs but doesnt he need rest also? She also gave me this food here in the picture to feed him. Any suggestions or opinions???

Also I only have a Exo Terra Repti Glo (5.0 or 10.0 not sure what the difference is and cant remember which one i have) UVB 26 Watt Terrarium lamp? is this sufficient? His terrarium is probly about 3 1/2 ft high and 2 ft wide (also pictured here previously in this thread). With the 65w heat bulb the temperature stays at a constant 28-29 degrees celcius. I also noticed now that since he has been sick he avoids the light and likes to be down low in shaded areas. Not sure if I should move him into the UV rays like the vet says or let him stay in tha shade? And about leaving it on overnight that just doesnt sound healthy doesnt he need sleep?

What do you guys think about his food pictured here?

I also spray his environment twice daily at a minimum with normal cool water from the sink. Humidity levels are usually moderate 5%-70%% inside the terrarium.

I have moved him up higher and closer to the lamps (as pictured below) and layed him directly in the light now that he is very weak is that a good thing to do? If I didnt do this he would be down on the very bottem

Ok I know I said some things twice but only cause i NEED PRCISE ANSWERSSS FAST HIS LIFE IS DEPENDING ON IT HE IS VERY WEAK!!!

 

[carol5208]

your vet is wrong and that is the craziest thing I have ever heard. First of all he should not be forced to stay under the light like that 24/7 and that is only going to disrupt his sleep patterns. Why is he laying on that hammock? Cannot he not grip an branches? He was probably moving away from the light cause he does not want to be by it. Please be aware, that not all vets are chameleon vets and know very little a bout them sometimes. I am not saying that is your case but I totally question the advice you have been given. Considering chameleons only sleep at night, glaring a light on him so he cannot can only do more harm than good in my opinion. Can you get him outside for some sun instead during the day or is it too cold by you?

 

[Ulrich]

I think leaving on the light at night is wrong. Veiled need a temperature drop at night and they need to sleep. They can even sustain close to frost at night in nature if the day reaches 90-95 degrees for basking.
I think at this point it is the lighting. Nothing can replace the natural sun. That's why lighting is such a sensitive matter. For Your cage size and the size of your cham you can try a 160 w Self ballasted mercury vapor lamp (all in one) if you don't have a glass screen. He looks very sick and I feel for you. Try to get another light. But switch it off at night. There is not much more you can do at this point.

 

[anarchy13]

your vet is wrong and that is the craziest thing I have ever heard. First of all he should not be forced to stay under the light like that 24/7 and that is only going to disrupt his sleep patterns. Why is he laying on that hammock? Cannot he not grip an branches? He was probably moving away from the light cause he does not want to be by it. Please be aware, that not all vets are chameleon vets and know very little a bout them sometimes. I am not saying that is your case but I totally question the advice you have been given. Considering chameleons only sleep at night, glaring a light on him so he cannot can only do more harm than good in my opinion. Can you get him outside for some sun instead during the day or is it too cold by you?

I agree i feel that sleep is the most powerful medicine there is and will turn his light off at night. I just always pray he will be ok tilll morning. He is laying in the hammock YES because he is too weak to hold himself on the branches and he would be down on the ground in a dark area if i didnt put the hammock up by the light he will be getting antibiotic shots everyday for the next 5 days and even some sort of vitamin supplement that includes sugars which should give him some energy the vet said. Where she gave him a a shot he has a big black spot now the size of a big pimple IS THAT NORMAL???? Its very cloudy today and no theres no sunshine anywhere!!!

 

[anarchy13]

I think leaving on the light at night is wrong. Veiled need a temperature drop at night and they need to sleep. They can even sustain close to frost at night in nature if the day reaches 90-95 degrees for basking.
I think at this point it is the lighting. Nothing can replace the natural sun. That's why lighting is such a sensitive matter. For Your cage size and the size of your cham you can try a 160 w Self ballasted mercury vapor lamp (all in one) if you don't have a glass screen. He looks very sick and I feel for you. Try to get another light. But switch it off at night. There is not much more you can do at this point.

He will receive antibiotics daily for the next 5 days to help the sore on the side of his mouth heal. We did a sensativity test and the results will be in by the end of the week i hope. We are using a 60W UV light your saying you think I should bump it up to 160W? I am pretty new to this and have never heard of a Self Ballasted Mercury Vapor lamp. What is that and do you have a picture?

 

[Ulrich]

Mine are doing very well with all in one bulbs. For a gage like yours I use such lamps. Yet I have 4 side open cages. Check Zoomed powersun UV Lighting.

Is your vet a herp expert?

 

[Captive Creations]

Something I wanted to add I agree with carol he shouldn't not have his lights on all night. anytime that you can get him out for natural sun light would be best. I know u said it was cloudy today but when ever the chance to get him in the natural sun light is best for him.
I am wondering what the name of the medication the vet gave you was? maybe someone can confirm that this is proper meds for your chameleon. some meds can't be used with chameleons so its better to know for sure. did you ask this vet about her experience ? that is always a good way to find out if this is someone you can trust to know what they are talking about if they have a history with chameleons. jmo I really hope he gets better.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."Where she gave him a a shot he has a big black spot now the size of a big pimple"...its normal for the area where a shot was given to change color. Also...if she didn't clean the area on the mouth out where the infection was, the bacteria may not be killed by the antibiotics.

Your vet said that the chameleon doesn't have MBD yet wants it to be in the UVB as much as possible?? Why??

Carnivore care is likely high in protein and likely has D3 and prEformed vitamin A in it...so I'm not a big fan of it.

 

[Carlton]

Even if your cham doesn't show physical signs of MBD he's still been without vitamins/miinerals for a long time. Deficiencies take time to correct and he's obviously very weak. Defiencies also damage organs and inhibit his immune system. The mouth sore could be more difficult to get rid of because of this so be prepared for a longer battle with it. In addition to the antibiotic shots you should attempt to keep the sore scrubbed clean and remove any discharge from it. The sore will tend to keep him from eating or drinking as it is painful. If you haven't replaced his UVB light bulb and it is over 6 months old replace it. A new fresh bulb will help if you can't get him out in "real" sunlight.

 

[Carlton]

He will receive antibiotics daily for the next 5 days to help the sore on the side of his mouth heal. We did a sensativity test and the results will be in by the end of the week i hope. We are using a 60W UV light your saying you think I should bump it up to 160W? I am pretty new to this and have never heard of a Self Ballasted Mercury Vapor lamp. What is that and do you have a picture?

The best way to determine what wattage bulb to use is to measure the temperature at the basking spot where the cham will sit. If the resulting temp at that spot is correct, the bulb is OK. If the temp is too low, either move the bulb closer to the basking area or use a slightly higher watt. Don't bump the wattage up too high without checking the resulting temperature carefully or you could burn him if he can't move easily...and he doesn't need this on top of everything else.

 

[Kibu]

Try giving him triple cod liver oil as an emergency vitamin a source. Only give him like half a pill though, it really helps. You can get it at Walmart. I do it every two to three weeks.

 

[mcleodschams]

try giving him triple cod liver oil as an emergency vitamin a source. Only give him like half a pill though, it really helps. You can get it at walmart. I do it every two to three weeks.

this is too much vitamin a you only need a drop on one feeder per two weeks and i would also switch from that vitamin to rep-cal herpavite with beta carotine. I use calcium w/o d3 evry feeding and w/d3 twice a month opposite weeks of the rep-cal wich is also every other week. Imo

 

[anarchy13]

Try giving him triple cod liver oil as an emergency vitamin a source. Only give him like half a pill though, it really helps. You can get it at Walmart. I do it every two to three weeks.

The animal vet gave him a shot of vitaminmix and a shot of baytril. And no she is not a reptile expert There isnt one in my area. Thanks for all the help people. I hope his little struggling heart makes it through the night. I dont understand why where she gave him the shot has a black spot now and he even seems weaker than before i took him there. She said it was a sugar vitamin mix that she injected under his skin between the skin and his bones and she said it should give him some energy since he seems so lifeless but seemed to do the opposite. Hope he makes it through the night...

 

[kinyonga]

See post #34...its normal for the area where a shot was given to change color.

Kibu...what's the ratio of D3 to prEformed vitamin A in the cod liver oil you are using?? Unless they are in the right balance you could be doing more harm than good IMHO.