GabeCastro
Established Member
I'd just like to share my expierence with my first chameleon...
Jasper looks 100% healthy, but my recent vet trip tells me otherwise.
His exam went really well and i was told i was doing an excellent job on his enclosure. Also Jasper looks really healthy. No URI, Mouth rot, skin fungus, etc.
I took Jasper to the vet because he started to lose his appetite, and his fecal was a bit on the smelly side. (smelled like a swamp). I figured he went on a hunger strike because i fed him waxworms. Also he's starting to shed and he hasn't ate anything in a few days. This is normal when he's shedding.
So this past Sunday i grabbed a fresh fecal sample, zip lock bagged it, then put it in the refrigerator. I called all my local herp vets, got quotes on an exam / fecal test and i finally found my vet. Ended up paying $225 for the whole thing but it was worth it.
Monday i was given eye drops($40) because his eyes looked a little irritated, helps him clean them better. Store i bought him from used substrate in his enclosure. he's been rubbing his eye on branches here and there eversince i got him.
Today, i got a call from my vet for the fecal tests results and it turns out Jasper has TWO parasites...Coccidia & Pinworms.
I really, really, really, didn't want to say anything to somehoe jinx myself but i had a strong feeling he had those 2 parasites. I've been reading countless posts from other members even learning everything i could about them.
I got Jasper from a store out here in the Bay Area, my vet told me he's almost 100% sure Jasper got the parasites from the store. He mentioned they had a horrible rep a few years back. I've read bad reviews saying their reptiles had parasites and went through hell to get Jasper –
At 2pm, I'll be picking up both his meds so hopefully I can get Jasper to 100%...Funny how members told me I had the "chameleon virus" for worrying too much, and BAM my worries were right. BUT, i was told plenty of times to get a fecal test and i listened.
So i highly encourage everyone to get a fecal test. And this goes out to all the new chameleon owners. Just get the test out the way to make sure what you're investing is going to be worth it. Because our chameleons like to hide things from us when they know we're stressing
Wish me and Jasper some luck, i want to make sure he has a speedy recovery and also give me info on what to expect, treat, and the success rate of passing those parasites.
Thanks!
- Gabe
Jasper looks 100% healthy, but my recent vet trip tells me otherwise.
His exam went really well and i was told i was doing an excellent job on his enclosure. Also Jasper looks really healthy. No URI, Mouth rot, skin fungus, etc.
I took Jasper to the vet because he started to lose his appetite, and his fecal was a bit on the smelly side. (smelled like a swamp). I figured he went on a hunger strike because i fed him waxworms. Also he's starting to shed and he hasn't ate anything in a few days. This is normal when he's shedding.
So this past Sunday i grabbed a fresh fecal sample, zip lock bagged it, then put it in the refrigerator. I called all my local herp vets, got quotes on an exam / fecal test and i finally found my vet. Ended up paying $225 for the whole thing but it was worth it.
Monday i was given eye drops($40) because his eyes looked a little irritated, helps him clean them better. Store i bought him from used substrate in his enclosure. he's been rubbing his eye on branches here and there eversince i got him.
Today, i got a call from my vet for the fecal tests results and it turns out Jasper has TWO parasites...Coccidia & Pinworms.
I really, really, really, didn't want to say anything to somehoe jinx myself but i had a strong feeling he had those 2 parasites. I've been reading countless posts from other members even learning everything i could about them.
I got Jasper from a store out here in the Bay Area, my vet told me he's almost 100% sure Jasper got the parasites from the store. He mentioned they had a horrible rep a few years back. I've read bad reviews saying their reptiles had parasites and went through hell to get Jasper –
At 2pm, I'll be picking up both his meds so hopefully I can get Jasper to 100%...Funny how members told me I had the "chameleon virus" for worrying too much, and BAM my worries were right. BUT, i was told plenty of times to get a fecal test and i listened.
So i highly encourage everyone to get a fecal test. And this goes out to all the new chameleon owners. Just get the test out the way to make sure what you're investing is going to be worth it. Because our chameleons like to hide things from us when they know we're stressing
Wish me and Jasper some luck, i want to make sure he has a speedy recovery and also give me info on what to expect, treat, and the success rate of passing those parasites.
Thanks!
- Gabe