Senegal Chameleon swallowed wood

[fr33]

I think my adult Senegal Chameleon swallowed a piece of wood. its definitely not a sperm plug. its been there for a month and ive been hoping itd pass as the economy has made a vet visit a 3 letter word... please, somebody offer me advice. please...

Please note that this Chameleon is approximately 1 and a half years old, normally very active and his living conditions are virtually perfect other than the piece of wood that inadvertently stuck to a cricket and was in the substrate unnoticed.. im assuming wood as after noticing this protrusion we immediately cleaned the terrarium and found wood bits in the substrate... this is very distressing. He has become our family. Only recently he has not been eating, moving, or excited to see us. Thats his personality. =He'd rather hang out with us than his terrarium.. Its very odd, but he is wonderful... a vet visit is just not in our financial capabilities right now... please help...

 

[Olimpia]

Oh boy, he looks bad I'm afraid it may be too late to help him, he looks really ill. There is nothing that you can do right now without the help of a vet that could save him, in my honest opinion.

I don't know that it is a piece of wood (the photos are blurry) but it could very well be something like a prolapse (either of the intestines or the hemipenes) that has dried up and become necrotic, opening him up to infection.

I'm really sorry, but it may be too late for him. Without a vet, I don't know what you could do. Try to keep him warm, comfortable, and hydrate as best as you can.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I have to agree with Olimpia unfortunately. His eyes are very sunken in (dehydrated) and he is very thin. I do not think it is a piece of wood. It looks like either a prolapse that's gone necrotic as said, or some kind of infection of that area in general. He needs some veterinary help and in the meantime please try to keep him hydrated well.

 

[JackP308]

I think your best bet is to keep him as comfortable as possible I doubt you could even hydrate him at this point. Anythings possible but just keep him comfortable.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

He will likely not get better on his own. It looks pretty bad. If you can not get him medical treatment I think it would be best for you to consider humane euthanasia rather than letting him suffer until he passes. He already looks very uncomfortable and sick.

 

[carol5208]

I agree with the others as his condition looks very bleak. I hate to say this and if the wood/substrate had anything to do with this you should remove ALL the substrate, not just the large pieces for any future chameleons you might own. I hope the poor little guy is not in alot of pain. So sorry...

 

[fr33]

OH NO..... This is not good. I really dont want to think of this, but what are his chances of survival for another week if known? Is there anything I can do to relieve pains? I personally do not use, but a friend of ours does utilize a certain plant for her ailments...could some smoke in the terrarium help? I feel so helpless... Just gotta do something... our vet wont take an iou for even a week. we shoulda just done something at first notice but in reviewing other similar sites and postings it seemed fine to wait for it to pass since it didnt seem to prevent our lil guy from having fun...I have to do something.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

No, that smoke will not do anything here. It's doubtful that animals feel a high like people do, and even if they did it would not be enough to stop the pain he is probably in. He may survive another week...but to what end? By that time he will be even worse off, if he's still around, and treatment may be futile at that point. Plus that will be a whole week of suffering. If you'd like to try treatment now is the time, and if not then you need to consider his quality of life and do what is best for him now rather than later. I'm really sorry it's come to this. But there's not much you can do and leaving him like this is unfair to him.

 

[fr33]

Another life, another time.

Just wanted to thank everyone for the very prompt replies and frank opinions. Thank you all so very very much. Our lil' guy did pass to the other side late lastnight. It's been a learning experience. While this chameleon was a sorta surprise gift, we definitely noticed we are not prepared for the care a chameleon requires. Back to the drawing board with amateur terrarium pets. In preparation. Thank you. Peace love light

 

[camimom]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the very prompt replies and frank opinions. Thank you all so very very much. Our lil' guy did pass to the other side late lastnight. It's been a learning experience. While this chameleon was a sorta surprise gift, we definitely noticed we are not prepared for the care a chameleon requires. Back to the drawing board with amateur terrarium pets. In preparation. Thank you. Peace love light

Im sorry he passed, but Im glad hes not in pain anymore.
If and when you are ready for a new chameleon, we all are more than happy to help you get your set up correct to avoid this from happeneing again.

 

[Samsonsfrogs]

I agree, don't give up so fast. Do some research and try again.

 

[JackP308]

more than likely you were dealing with a wc and this happens but you need to catch them soon before they hit the point of no return which was obvious from the pics. Sorry again. But don't let this distract you do a lot of research here is plenty to read. If you do decide to keep another make sure its Captive Bred Born if possible and from a knowledgeable breeder. It goes a long way and worth it. I know the feeling I have had a few animals die in front of me or in my hands and it's always the same feeling.

Good Luck !!!