Andrew86
New Member
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Rudis Chameleon. It was bought from a reptile convention in September of 2011. Not sure of age since then, but fairly young. Female
Handling - Not often
Feeding - Fed calcium gut loaded crickets. Used to eat 2 a day, but recently down to 1
Supplements - ExoTerra calcium and exoterra multivitamin. A mix of the two suppliments is used to dust the crickets on a daily basis. Multi vitamin only began to be used about a month ago
Watering - Misted 2-3 times a day, enough to cause dripping from leaves. I have seen it drinking recently.
Fecal Description - Fecal looks normal, with dark feces, as well as whiteish yellow "urine" part. Never been tested
History - Just before the problem began, there was a shed, that seemed normal and without incident.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Glass/Screen combo, with front opening doors. It is approximately 12"L x12"wx12"h
Lighting - Coil "energy efficent" UVB blub and an exo terra 50w daylight basking bulb. Light is on 12 hours cycle
Temperature - Cage floor is about 70 to upper level of 75-80, with basking being a bit warmer
Humidity - a hygrometer is being used, and shows a consistant range of 75-80%. Humidity is being controlled by daily mistings
Plants - none only plastic and silk
Placement - On a shelf in the corner of the room. The top of the cage sits about 6 feet from the ground
Location - Northern Ontario Canada
Current Problem - I began looking after this cham when my girlfriend went away for 3 months. I have many other reptile pets and have never had any problem with any of them. (beardies, leopard geckos, ball python and tarantulas). The week after a shed, after having the chameleon in my care for well over a month, the left eye closed, and hasnt really opened since. Of course i was worried and increased misting to attempt to flush the eye. I even took her into the shower and let the warm mist and humidity try to flush her eye. I completely cleaned out her enclosure, in case any bacteria was present, or fungal ( from the increased humidity) and now the side of the face with the swollen eye has begun to swell as well, that side of the mouth looks almost like it has had a stroke, and there is a buldge that seems to be growing on the top of the head on that side as well.
There is now a whistling sound every so often when it opens its mouth to breath. I have completely removed the small amount of substrate that I had to decrease any stagnant humidity that may be caused. These symptoms point likely towards a sinus (respiratory) infect and/or an eye problem.
She is still eating regularly, and moving about the enclosure much like she did before the problem arose, and aside from the eye, swelling, and breathing issue there is nothing else physically wrong with her that i can see.
My main problem is that where i live there are no exotic/chameleon vets in the area at all, and i do not own a vehicle to drive long distances. Is there anything i can do at home, remedy wise to help recovery/ make this little girl more comfortable without excessive handling or invasive procedures. I have some experience as a vet tech, and a strong background in biology in herps, but i just dont have the resources close enough to me to properly deal with a sick chameleon. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Your Chameleon - Rudis Chameleon. It was bought from a reptile convention in September of 2011. Not sure of age since then, but fairly young. Female
Handling - Not often
Feeding - Fed calcium gut loaded crickets. Used to eat 2 a day, but recently down to 1
Supplements - ExoTerra calcium and exoterra multivitamin. A mix of the two suppliments is used to dust the crickets on a daily basis. Multi vitamin only began to be used about a month ago
Watering - Misted 2-3 times a day, enough to cause dripping from leaves. I have seen it drinking recently.
Fecal Description - Fecal looks normal, with dark feces, as well as whiteish yellow "urine" part. Never been tested
History - Just before the problem began, there was a shed, that seemed normal and without incident.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Glass/Screen combo, with front opening doors. It is approximately 12"L x12"wx12"h
Lighting - Coil "energy efficent" UVB blub and an exo terra 50w daylight basking bulb. Light is on 12 hours cycle
Temperature - Cage floor is about 70 to upper level of 75-80, with basking being a bit warmer
Humidity - a hygrometer is being used, and shows a consistant range of 75-80%. Humidity is being controlled by daily mistings
Plants - none only plastic and silk
Placement - On a shelf in the corner of the room. The top of the cage sits about 6 feet from the ground
Location - Northern Ontario Canada
Current Problem - I began looking after this cham when my girlfriend went away for 3 months. I have many other reptile pets and have never had any problem with any of them. (beardies, leopard geckos, ball python and tarantulas). The week after a shed, after having the chameleon in my care for well over a month, the left eye closed, and hasnt really opened since. Of course i was worried and increased misting to attempt to flush the eye. I even took her into the shower and let the warm mist and humidity try to flush her eye. I completely cleaned out her enclosure, in case any bacteria was present, or fungal ( from the increased humidity) and now the side of the face with the swollen eye has begun to swell as well, that side of the mouth looks almost like it has had a stroke, and there is a buldge that seems to be growing on the top of the head on that side as well.
There is now a whistling sound every so often when it opens its mouth to breath. I have completely removed the small amount of substrate that I had to decrease any stagnant humidity that may be caused. These symptoms point likely towards a sinus (respiratory) infect and/or an eye problem.
She is still eating regularly, and moving about the enclosure much like she did before the problem arose, and aside from the eye, swelling, and breathing issue there is nothing else physically wrong with her that i can see.
My main problem is that where i live there are no exotic/chameleon vets in the area at all, and i do not own a vehicle to drive long distances. Is there anything i can do at home, remedy wise to help recovery/ make this little girl more comfortable without excessive handling or invasive procedures. I have some experience as a vet tech, and a strong background in biology in herps, but i just dont have the resources close enough to me to properly deal with a sick chameleon. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
