Sad situation :(

[SGmenace]

I witnessed a extremely sad sight yesterday. I dropped by a good friends house, who I haven't seen in forever, to say hi and to see how his male Veild was doing. The moment I saw his cham I got the worst feeling in my stomach. He mentioned to me that his cham wasn't doing so well but I had no idea it was this bad. He has lost pretty much all movement in his back legs and tail and when he attempts to climb he just falls all over the place (saddest thing seeing an animal struggle so much). I talked to him about what could be happening and we are pretty sure its a sever case of impaction (he has a substrate in the chams enclosure). He told me about a week ago he was given a warm bath and a massage he saved me what came out of him, Iv never seen anything like it. It was off white in color and as hard as a bone! could this be a urnate that has been stuck in his system for a long time? I really have no idea what to do!? I told my friend to keep giving him warm baths but I have no clue? I feel extremely horrible he's such a beautiful guy I would hate to see him go

i realize it will be hard to find out what is wrong given the fact that I don't have all the information but Im going to try to get some more info out of my friend so I can post it on here to get some help.

Any ideas of what this could be would be GREATLY appreciated!

ps. A few weeks after he purchased his chameleon we both noticed that there was a kink in his spine but he was moving around just fine so we never thought much of it. Could his cham have a broken back and it has just gotten progressively worse?

 

[CNorton]

I really have no idea what to do!? I told my friend to keep giving him warm baths but I have no clue? I feel extremely horrible he's such a beautiful guy I would hate to see him go

Do you feel horrible enough to get your friend to bring him to a vet? Pony up my friend, you need professional help ASAP!

 

[SGmenace]

A vet visit was the first thing I mentioned to him. He wasn't too keen on spending the money. I just want to get as much help here so I can pass on the info if he decides to risk not taking his cham to the vet.

 

[Pure]

No chance you can get him to come online? Giving health diagnoses 3rd party is a bad idea.

 

[SoCaliSon]

IMO there is nothing that we can tell you, that you can pass to your freind that will save this chams life aside from..."Get to a vet ASAP!", or give the cham to someone who is willing to take it to a vet. Sounds gravely serious for this cham, if it's not too late already.

 

[skyedog]

The poor guy needs to get to a vet asap. I know your friend doesn't want to put the money out for a vet but you need to explain to him that bringing a chameleon to a vet is a necessity...especially when the cham is sick, injured, and/or suffering. That's part of owning a chameleon. They rely on us for their care.

 

[moody232002]

ya know i rarely post when i am annoyed but he says he doesn't want to spend money to get this creature well? why take on such a creature in the first place then! would he leave a cat or a dog in pain until it died hmmm makes me wonder
sorry for negative post but it makes me sooo mad!

also vets here will usually set up a payment plan if you can't afford to pay in full,so if thats a problem might be worth broaching his vet

 

[jojackson]

The animal may die without intervention, you need to have a direct discussion with your friend about it, and ascertain his intentions. Im sure two friends can come to an amicable agreement about its future care.
If he is unwilling to pay for vetcare, he may be happy to have you take posession of it.
Further action will be at your descretion.
A bent back is more likely to be MBD in my general opinion, than a broken back.
The loss of the rear leg function may well be rear limb paralysis assotiated with Impaction in many reptiles. These are only educated guesses from your description,
other health issues may or may not be involved, only a vet will know.
It's not in best care, it's really up to you.
Best wishes

P.S. being unable to pass urates may indicate dehydration. dehydration limits its ability to process food, even at the ideal temperature, hence possible impaction. Whats he been feeding it, dare I ask?

 

[krep]

ya know i rarely post when i am annoyed but he says he doesn't want to spend money to get this creature well? why take on such a creature in the first place then! would he leave a cat or a dog in pain until it died hmmm makes me wonder
sorry for negative post but it makes me sooo mad!

also vets here will usually set up a payment plan if you can't afford to pay in full,so if thats a problem might be worth broaching his vet

I beleive the New legislation out in the UK means this guy is actually breaking the law - If he can not afford to properly care for the animal he should not have it, that also means covering the vet bills.

None of us want to spend on Vets bills for any of our animals but somtimes you just have to, my advice take it to the vet yourself and let him have it back when he has paid you back !

 

[JackAttack]

hafta agree, take him to the vet........or it might be too late

 

[moody232002]

I beleive the New legislation out in the UK means this guy is actually breaking the law - If he can not afford to properly care for the animal he should not have it, that also means covering the vet bills.

None of us want to spend on Vets bills for any of our animals but somtimes you just have to, my advice take it to the vet yourself and let him have it back when he has paid you back !

it's not my friend lol and if it was i would certainly try and force a situation where the creature got vetinary care. i beleive the original poster is in canada,not sure what the laws are there

 

[Pams Chams]

Try some codliver oil... just a few drops to get the colin lubed to pass any stuck junk in their and feed him some fruit

 

[SGmenace]

Thanks for all your input guys. I confronted him about the whole situation we had quite the argument about it also, he was very aggressive towards me! I figure if I got him mad/upset enough over it he would eventually take the initiative and be a responsible pet owner. I brought up a lot of your guy's points and I'm pretty sure he is convinced to take him to a vet. Id like to thank every one who posted, you all defiantly helped me in hopefully saving a cham life

ill let you all know what the results are when i receive them!

thanks again