Please help!

[masterchief]

My cham is a one year old panther. He has become ill. It started with an eye irritation. He was blowing it up to twice it's size, and scratching it on the branch. Took him to a vet I was told on the phone was an expert. Upon meeting him he said he had no experience with chameleons. He gave me ointment for the eye and it worked for about a day. The next day he is not moving, both eyes closed during the day and slept in a red and white striped hue that is not normal for him. He threw up his crickets, but is drinking. I read the other posts and see that I have to find an expert and have him seen. My first visit cost $125 and don't know that I can afford another. I love him. Any good suggestions?

Lives on a ficus tree and a gnarly branch in a low traffic 70degree room
60% humidity
eats four crickets with calcium and vitamin mixture
75 W heat lamp
basking spot 85degrees

Please respond quickly.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

This is not a diagnosis, but ....
Try changing out his ficus tree with another plant (maybe a schefflera)
Panthers have had problems in the past with eye irritation from ficus trees.
In addition to this, start a more frequent and heavy misting schedule.

-Brad

 

[ChromaChameleons]

The eye issue could be related to an extermal irritant or possibly be a sign of some other health issue.

The Ficus will ooze latex if the leaves arte eaten, clipped or broken.That can cause eye irritation.

The regurgitated cricket could be due to the stress of the vet vist. Could be parasites , although thats unlikely. It could also suggest basking temps that are too low. Has your cham been passing well digested or partially digested stools??? Do you have any susbstrate in your enclosure???

I would suggest a slightly warmer basking spot , a warm shower once a day , try worms for a few days such as butterworms, waxworms or silkworms and replace the plant with a non-toxic one. Remember to wash the new plant with dish soap and rinse amd replace the soil with organic soil.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Brad , you beat me too it ...LOL... all good advice...

 

[masterchief]

I''ll change the plant, that sounds good. His stools are completely digested, and i think you're right about the stressed out vet-visit. He's never left the house. I was going to give him the pedialyte with 50% water. What do think of that?

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Administering the pedialyte may add stress. I would do that if worms are not available. Worms are great for a change , are easily digested and are great for hydration.

 

[kinyonga]

You mentioned a heat light....does he have a UVB light? Is it a compact?

If its not a problem with the light or the ficus you need to see a good vet ASAP...he sounds like he is in a lot of trouble...and they go down hill fast if its not dealt with.

Good luck!

 

[masterchief]

Thanx All!!!

My little guy is so much better! Yesterday he even took his usual "field trip" around the room! After two weeks of looking as though he may die it's safe to say he's recovered. Still messing with his eye, though.....(?)

 

[bucky]

I suggested this to someone else on here, but maybe you should try giving him a shower. If its not too hard, take the plant you currently have in his cage, put it in the shower, aim the shower head so its hitting the wall and mist is bouncing on to him and his plant. Make sure the water isnt hot,or cold.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Thats great to hear.. what did you change or do to get him back to health???

 

[opihiman]

congradulations...Behavior returning to normal is always a good sign...did you take the plant out?

-opi

 

[masterchief]

first he got a warm bath. He wasn't jazzed but his color returned and his eyes were finally open. Took the ficus out, bought a hibiscus on recommendation that if he did by chance eat the flowers or leaves that it would be even beneficial. Washed up the tree and fed him a waxworm a day all weekend. Oh yes, and also misting three times a day. Today he ate 4 crickets.