Nursing a chameleon back to health

[lotus02]

Jo,
In regards to droppings I think it has been 4-5 days since I noticed any new droppings in the cage. The last dropping looks normal. How often should a chameleon poop?

What is normal? I think what everyone is looking for is color and texture . This will help a lot in your quest to nurse it back to health.
I will also add find a good vet and take him there.

 

[Syn]

His back legs work but it seems like he isn't strong enough to hold himself up.

I believe this would suggest impaction, would it not?



Scott, I highly recommend seeing Dr. Richard Funk, he works at the Mesa VCA. Hopefully you are in the area.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/mesa-az

VCA Mesa Animal Hospital
Phone: 1-480-833-7330
Fax: 1-480-833-0124
858 North Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201

VCA Mesa Animal Hospital
858 North Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: 1-480-833-7330

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon-Tue 8:00AM - 5:30PM
Wed 8:00AM - 7:00PM
Thu-Fri 8:00AM - 5:30PM
Sat 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Sun Closed

 

[jojackson]

Injury is a more likely theory than dehydration. Heat wouldnt tend to cause problems like it does in snakes unless it was abnormally, dangerously high, in which case its more likely to have killed him.
Any reason to suspect injury? Bent limbs? wounds?

 

[scottinaz]

Syn,

I wish I were closer to Mesa. I live in Northern Arizona, about 2 hours from Mesa. Any recomendations in the Sedona/Cottonwood area?

The only reason to suspect injury is because he has fallen. If he is injured it is not obvious.

 

[Syn]

Falling is not good. Really, I can't suggest any vets in the northern part of AZ.
You could call Dr. Funk and ask him if he has any suggestions for you, there might be someone at NAU, you never know.

If he has fallen he may have broken something. If that is the case, the two hour drive might be worth it.

Best of luck, Scott.

 

[jojackson]

maybe call first, not sure they do reptiles or not.

Oak Creek Small Animal Hospital
3130 West Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ
928-282-1195


Sedona Animal Clinic
100 Posse Ground Road
Sedona, AZ
928-282-4133

Verde Vet Hospital (Does reptiles)
1201 E. Cheery Street
Cottonwood, AZ
928-634-7538


Bell Rock Vet Clinic
45 Bell Rock Plaza
Sedona, AZ
928-284-2840



The nearest 24/7 Emergency Veterinary Clinics are, unfortunately, in north Phoenix:

24/7 Veterinary Emergency Contacts
Phoenix
near Union Hills & 7th Ave North Valley Regional Animal Hospital 623-849-0700
Phoenix
near I-17 & Glendale Rd Emergency Animal Clinic 602-995-3757

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For after-hours care or emergencies, veterinarians are available in other nearby communities.

After-hours Veterinary Contacts
Cottonwood Dr. Celeste Flannery
Airpark Animal Hospital 928-649-8387
Sedona Dr. Thomas Remmler
Oak Creek Small Animal Hospital 928-282-1195

 

[Syn]

Jo, I have not heard of any of those Vet Clinics as having much experience with reptiles, unless they have changed recently.

Scott, if you do decide to call them ask if they have chameleon experience, and how much, if not, call Dr. Funk, he is always willing to help.

 

[jojackson]

*shrugs* The one I marked says they do.

 

[scottinaz]

Thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions.

 

[Syn]

*shrugs* The one I marked says they do.

Sorry I typed that wrong, yes, they do work with reptiles but I don't think they have many good reviews. I have a friend in Sedona who can't really suggest anyone up north, and when they go to a vet they tend to try to take a trip down here.

Buuuut I haven't asked for a couple months, so I'll see if I can't ask again. Haven't seen them on as of late, though.

 

[scottinaz]

One thought I had regarding the possibility of impaction was he may have ingested something when he fell off the branch onto the substrate.

Does anyone know how the vets typically treat impaction in chameleons?

 

[Syn]

Uh oh, substrate? What kind of substrate do you have? Normally, paper towel should be the only "substrate" needed.

I've never had to deal with impaction since I use paper towels so I don't have an answer for you.

 

[scottinaz]

Syn,

When I was in the pet store here in Cottonwood with a self professed chameleon expert he said I needed to add a coconut husk substrate to the bottom of the cage in order to help maintain humidity in the cage, which I was struggling with. I am now worried that when he fell onto the ground he may have ingested some. I didn't notice anything when i picked him up, but after all the input I received on the forum I started thinking about other possibilities that might be causing his problems.

 

[Syn]

Syn,

When I was in the pet store here in Cottonwood with a self professed chameleon expert he said I needed to add a coconut husk substrate to the bottom of the cage in order to help maintain humidity in the cage, which I was struggling with. I am now worried that when he fell onto the ground he may have ingested some. I didn't notice anything when i picked him up, but after all the input I received on the forum I started thinking about other possibilities that might be causing his problems.

I understand it does help maintain humidity but there are other ways to do it that are less harmful to the chameleon, such as adding more plants and misting more often. I don't know why someone who is a "self professed chameleon expert" would tell you to do this.. 99% of the forum will agree substrates should not be used with your type of chameleon.

Edit: Time for bed. I hope the chameleon will be alright until you find a qualified herp vet.

 

[jojothefirst]

I understand it does help maintain humidity but there are other ways to do it that are less harmful to the chameleon, such as adding more plants and misting more often. I don't know why someone who is a "self professed chameleon expert" would tell you to do this.. 99% of the forum will agree substratesshould not be used with your type of chameleon.

Edit: Time for bed. I hope the chameleon will be alright until you find a qualified herp vet.

Can someone exsplain why substrate is such a big no no.
I have been using a humus brick for about a year now with no problems. (maybe I have just been lucky up till now)

I know people keep saying not to use any substrate to avoid them eating it with the feeders but then dont most people cup feed anyway?

And surely in the wild this will happen so arnt the chameleons bodys able to digest small amounts of it?

Is there any evidence to support that it will cause them harm?

 

[whitespyder]

how much calcium/vitamins are you dusting your crickets with? and is it with or without vitamin D3? you should only dust them lightly. a few years ago my male veiled cham died from kidney failure and the first thing i noticed different about his behavior was weakened back legs since the nerves around his kidneys were shot. but after looking at a past video of me feeding him, i noticed that i was dusting the crickets so much that they were caked with the calcium and im pretty sure his kidneys failed because of D3 overdose which is toxic for chameleons.

if you do dust correctly with and without D3, then its hopefully not kidney failure. just wanted to give you another possibility so you can find out the problem and get him better!

 

[whitespyder]

Can someone exsplain why substrate is such a big no no.
I have been using a humus brick for about a year now with no problems. (maybe I have just been lucky up till now)

I know people keep saying not to use any substrate to avoid them eating it with the feeders but then dont most people cup feed anyway?

And surely in the wild this will happen so arnt the chameleons bodys able to digest small amounts of it?

Is there any evidence to support that it will cause them harm?

some chams like to eat dirt! mine included. and even if they poop it all out, it can still cause impaction over time from little pieces building up in their gutty works. and also from personal experience its easier to mist and drip without worrying about getting the substrate soaking wet which can lead to mold (and a very unpleasant smell!) and i guess it depends on species too.
but it might be a good idea to cover your substrate with some fiberglass screening so your cham cant get to it but it still can retain humidity in your cage.

 

[panthercham]

Can someone exsplain why substrate is such a big no no.
I have been using a humus brick for about a year now with no problems. (maybe I have just been lucky up till now)

I know people keep saying not to use any substrate to avoid them eating it with the feeders but then dont most people cup feed anyway?

And surely in the wild this will happen so arnt the chameleons bodys able to digest small amounts of it?

Is there any evidence to support that it will cause them harm?

Some keepers dont cup feed....I have one that never took to it and prefers to hunt his food down. If a feeder is down low there is a chance that they can snag a bit of bark etc and I dont want to risk it. It is also really messy when you mist and if not allowed to dry thoroughly between misting causes mold and other nasties.

Some chams alo eat small rocks, sand, leaves, dirt etc and its just not worth the risk

 

[kinyonga]

Jojothefirst asked..."Can someone exsplain why substrate is such a big no no."..there is always a risk of impaction when using a substrate, so the safest way to avoid it is not to use a substrate. It only takes ingesting it one time in some cases to end up with an impaction.

Scottinaz...Is he pooping?

You said..."I have a pretty sick chameleon that is not able to climb or hang onto the sticks in his cage. He is currently very weak as is not able to hunt or eat. This all started when the temps in his cage got to high and he became very dehydrated"...it could be a coincidence in timing....or not.

You said..."I have been giving him water through a syringe which seems to be working well, but he hasn't eaten anything in about 3 days and I feel like I need to get some food in his system in order for him to regain his strength"...a chameleon can go longer than three days without eating, but with the other symptoms he has, I think the best thing to do is get him to a vet.

 

[Syn]

And surely in the wild this will happen so arnt the chameleons bodys able to digest small amounts of it?

In the wild, chameleons don't live on 4 ft tall trees, they are normally up MUCH higher, and rarely if ever go towards the ground except to lay eggs. I have yet to see a picture of a wild chameleon eating soil.