PLEASE HELP! My chameleon's left eye won't open!

[LaughingCat]

I am doing all the research I can to find a reptile vet near me and I think that I found a good one. Only problem is that my husband and I are very low on money, so I don't know when we can get her to a vet. I'm so scared for her. I don't want to lose her

 

[Dr O]

it looks like you have two separate practices offering ARAV vets just down the road from you.


Arkansas

Marilynn Baeyens
North Hills Animal Hospital
7805 JFK Blvd.
Sherwood, AR 72120
(501)835-3577

Jon Southerland
Kiehl Ave Animal Clinic
3911 E Kiehl
Sherwood, AR 72120
(501)835-8900

 

[LaughingCat]

You're the best! I will call them in the morning and find out what is going on. Thank you so much! I can rest easier now, although I still fear for my little one's life. Will she die? :'(

 

[LaughingCat]

Good news and bad news. The good news is that I was able to go to Petco and yell at the manager and he was able to exchange my sick one for a healthier one after he realized that he was the one who sold me the sick one. This one is a feisty, fast, strong gripped male!! The bad news is that I had to give up on the other one, but it saved me a $300 vet bill. I hate myself for doing it, but I needed to.

 

[bradley]

You did the best thing you could have.

Are your uv bulbs coiled and not a tube?

If they are you need a tube bulb as the coil bulbs can cause eye problems. I use 10.0 but many use 5.0 too.

 

[carol5208]

Well it is sad that the poor little chameleon has no chance. I know you did what you had to do. Shame on Petco is all I can say. I hope they just euthanize it and put the poor thing out of its misery. It looks like it has multiple breaks in its limbs. I would have read them the friggin riot act. They have no business selling chameleons. It boggles my mind that they are so ignorant and they would sell an animal in that poor of shape and think it was healthy.

 

[LaughingCat]

I know, right? I chewed the manager out. But yes, I have coiled bulbs. When my next paycheck comes, I am going to get the tube light. I hope he can hang in there until then. The coil is a Zilla 5.0 13w UVB bulb. I am going to try to maybe suspend the lamp a little over the cage, maybe that might help him until then. Any ideas on what to do until I have the money?

 

[Dr O]

I know, right? I chewed the manager out. But yes, I have coiled bulbs. When my next paycheck comes, I am going to get the tube light. I hope he can hang in there until then. The coil is a Zilla 5.0 13w UVB bulb. I am going to try to maybe suspend the lamp a little over the cage, maybe that might help him until then. Any ideas on what to do until I have the money?

FYI, the output of that wattage and brand bulb is fairly weak in terms of its "throw", i.e. how far the rays reach out. IME they only throw well between 6-12" max, and I have a meter to check the numbers. so, don't suspend it too high above the cage or basking area.

 

[carol5208]

I know, right? I chewed the manager out. But yes, I have coiled bulbs. When my next paycheck comes, I am going to get the tube light. I hope he can hang in there until then. The coil is a Zilla 5.0 13w UVB bulb. I am going to try to maybe suspend the lamp a little over the cage, maybe that might help him until then. Any ideas on what to do until I have the money?

He should be fine with the coiled bulb. Alot of people use them but the preferred one is the tube. Many years ago there were problems with the coiled bulbs emitting toomuch uvb and causing blindness in some reptiles. The problem has been long rectified and I think you will hear from others who will tell you they use the coils without issue. Me personally, I prefer the tube as it covers more ground in the cage and makes it brighter.

 

[LaughingCat]

I have purchased the reptisun UVB 5.0 tube light earlier today and am using a 60w regular house bulb for basking. I also purchased some Fluke's orange cube and high calcium cricket diet for gut loading. I hope that this works this time around. (Photos are of my new lil' guy).

 

[Dr O]

he looks soooo much healthier!! I think you made the correct, though difficult choice.

unfortunately you won't find too many fans of the Fluker's cubes and high calcium diet. They are not terrible or anything, but do not really provide nearly enough nutrients for proper got loading. Since you are doing a wonderful job towards bettering your situation, I would definitely suggest checking out Sandrachameleon's blogs on gut loading. She has written up several really wonderful resources. As for a commercially prepared diet, my personal preference is the Repashy brand. Their Bug Burger is a very complete diet that is also a water source at the same time, and is actually fun and easy to make IMO. They also have several calcium formulations with four different amounts of vitamin D in that line. Once you have a better idea of how much natural sunlight versus bulb use you will be using, it will be easier for us to advise more specific products for your needs. I wouldn't throw out what you have as it is good for the time being and the occasional situation, but I definitely would not suggest using it exclusively.

 

[LaughingCat]

Thank you very much for everything. Everyone has been so helpful! I will definitely read her blog. I am relieved that I can bounce back from the mess I was in. I made a promise to little Booda that he will be safe and healthy in my care. Also, I will look into the Bug Burger and find out what stores have it near me, considering the Petco and Petsmart is the only store I know of that is around here, and they don't even sell straight up Calcium. For now, I bought the liquid calcium and put a tablespoon of it in the mister water until I receive the powder in the mail.

 

[Kate]

I know you are doing your best for Booda but I would change your misting water as chams clean out their eyes when misting and having calcium in the water may complicate things. You could buy some cuttlefish bone from your pet shop and grind it down. The stuck they sell for birds. That is pure calcium