Sick male veiled chameleon, help!

[Milena]

My chameleon Chaz has not been doing so well lately and my vet doesn't seem to be much help. He's at least 6 years old, I have had him for 3. So maybe he's just old and about to go... He sleeps all day and night, minimal movements, he has been on the bottom of the terrarium for about 2 weeks now, and sleeps on his side. His eyes have sunken in and is losing muscle mass. I can see his ribs for about a month now. No heavy breathing. He has taken a few hard falls in the past two months. We also moved a month ago. I took him to the vet because I suspected broken ribs. The vet said he was probably constipated, since I had not seen him poop for about 4 days and his belly was swollen. He said there were no signs on MBD and that I was doing everything right, I haven't changed anything in the three years I've had him. The vet did not advise and X-ray because if it was broken ribs then they can't even do anything so no point wasting money, and no sign of a punctured lung. I have been hand feeding him the food the vet have me for a week now, some days he refuses to open his mouth for feedings. He has since pooped, a lot, I gave him laxatives the vet prescribed. I think he also has some kind of sugar syrup the vet have him also. i stopped giving him the meds after he popped fine for 2 days and now just hand feed him. He also had a vitamin b12 shot at the vets. He seems to have no balance but his grip is strong and no signs of major bone breakage. My terrarium is 2feet by 2 feet and 4 feet tall. No substrate. UV100 13w bulb for tropical reptiles (store recommended and the same he's has for ever) I change the bulb about every 3-4 months and a basking light (same store recommended and the same he's had for 3 years) he eats super worms (dusted with calcium and d3) and I make him salads with kale and sprouts which he usually loves! He has been a great eater up until 2 weeks ago when he made his way to the bottom of the terrarium. He ate one worm that I hand fed him about 10 days ago prior to taking him to the vet, so I know he wants to eat! I have no live plants in there either. Hope this is enough info, I have another vet appointment for him in 4 days. HELP

 

[Milena]

My chameleon Chaz has not been doing so well lately and my vet doesn't seem to be much help. He's at least 6 years old, I have had him for 3. So maybe he's just old and about to go... He sleeps all day and night, minimal movements, he has been on the bottom of the terrarium for about 2 weeks now, and sleeps on his side. His eyes have sunken in and is losing muscle mass. I can see his ribs for about a month now. No heavy breathing. He has taken a few hard falls in the past two months. We also moved a month ago. I took him to the vet because I suspected broken ribs. The vet said he was probably constipated, since I had not seen him poop for about 4 days and his belly was swollen. He said there were no signs on MBD and that I was doing everything right, I haven't changed anything in the three years I've had him. The vet did not advise and X-ray because if it was broken ribs then they can't even do anything so no point wasting money, and no sign of a punctured lung. I have been hand feeding him the food the vet have me for a week now, some days he refuses to open his mouth for feedings. He has since pooped, a lot, I gave him laxatives the vet prescribed. I think he also has some kind of sugar syrup the vet have him also. i stopped giving him the meds after he popped fine for 2 days and now just hand feed him. He also had a vitamin b12 shot at the vets. He seems to have no balance but his grip is strong and no signs of major bone breakage. My terrarium is 2feet by 2 feet and 4 feet tall. No substrate. UV100 13w bulb for tropical reptiles (store recommended and the same he's has for ever) I change the bulb about every 3-4 months and a basking light (same store recommended and the same he's had for 3 years) he eats super worms (dusted with calcium and d3) and I make him salads with kale and sprouts which he usually loves! He has been a great eater up until 2 weeks ago when he made his way to the bottom of the terrarium. He ate one worm that I hand fed him about 10 days ago prior to taking him to the vet, so I know he wants to eat! I have no live plants in there either. Hope this is enough info, I have another vet appointment for him in 4 days. HELP

ALSO, I mist his cage morning and evening and leave ice cubes on top to melt and drop down onto his vines for drinking.

 

[Crashbandit05]

Posting a picture would greatly help. The only advice I can recommend is that if you think he is truly suffering and not living a happy, healthy life, you may want to consider having him humanely euthanized.
Speaking from experience (I have my C.E.T.) I usually give people the same advice with their dog or cat. Those of us in the animal welfare/health world go through serious training to unsure the animals have a pleasant and respectful (as possible) passing. I'm very sorry if this sounds morbid. I take great pride with my job as I'm sure other vet techs and shelter workers do.

 

[Milena]

Posting a picture would greatly help. The only advice I can recommend is that if you think he is truly suffering and not living a happy, healthy life, you may want to consider having him humanely euthanized.
Speaking from experience (I have my C.E.T.) I usually give people the same advice with their dog or cat. Those of us in the animal welfare/health world go through serious training to unsure the animals have a pleasant and respectful (as possible) passing. I'm very sorry if this sounds morbid. I take great pride with my job as I'm sure other vet techs and shelter workers do.

I

Posting a picture would greatly help. The only advice I can recommend is that if you think he is truly suffering and not living a happy, healthy life, you may want to consider having him humanely euthanized.
Speaking from experience (I have my C.E.T.) I usually give people the same advice with their dog or cat. Those of us in the animal welfare/health world go through serious training to unsure the animals have a pleasant and respectful (as possible) passing. I'm very sorry if this sounds morbid. I take great pride with my job as I'm sure other vet techs and shelter workers do.

i have considered this, he has had a nice long life. the picture attached is from about 4 weeks ago when he was still moving around normally and eating but showed first signs of his ribs showing. Will post new sad picture in minute

 

[Milena]

So this is him today, so heart breaking he looks dead. I also noticed something weird in his cage, looks he threw up? Or had very runny beige poop, looks like puke. The food I've been giving h is beige mush. I think it may be time. Would it be worth doing a round of antibiotics? Maybe he has a parasite?

 

[Milena]

So this is him today, so heart breaking he looks dead. I also noticed something weird in his cage, looks he threw up? Or had very runny beige poop, looks like puke. The food I've been giving h is beige mush. I think it may be time. Would it be worth doing a round of antibiotics? Maybe he has a parasite?

I gave him a towel and lowerd his heated vine so he won't get cold at the bottom, incase you are wondering what all that is

 

[WilcoxAE]

That doesn't look good.

I am sorry to see and hear about what you are going through. Even when I know it's coming, waking up to see that is always hard to do.

Do you have another vet to take him to if he is still with you?

I had a large male die and puke prior as it turned out his liver was fatty. He had often gone into hunger strikes and had a questionable upbringing so don't blame yourself. Just do what you can, as with all walks of life.

((HUG))

 

[Milena]

That doesn't look good.

I am sorry to see and hear about what you are going through. Even when I know it's coming, waking up to see that is always hard to do.

Do you have another vet to take him to if he is still with you?

I had a large male die and puke prior as it turned out his liver was fatty. He had often gone into hunger strikes and had a questionable upbringing so don't blame yourself. Just do what you can, as with all walks of life.

((HUG))

Thank you, Chaz too had a questionable adolescent life. At least he had a good retirement I had a feeling this was the end just didn't want to give up. But now that he's throwing up I can't let him suffer. Thank you all for the advice and support.

 

[jannb]

I agree another vet and one with good chameleon experience. Where do you live? I might be able to refer a good vet.

For now make him a hospital cage, very short cage with towels on the bottom so if he falls he want hurt himself more.

 

[Milena]

I agree another vet and one with good chameleon experience. Where do you live? I might be able to refer a good vet.

For now make him a hospital cage, very short cage with towels on the bottom so if he falls he want hurt himself more.

I'm in Toronto Ontario. i made another vet appointment for today. He's not moving at all now.

 

[jannb]

I'm in Toronto Ontario. i made another vet appointment for today. He's not moving at all now.

I hope the vet will be able to help. I've been keeping a long time and it's so sad to see them get old and have health issues. I'm hoping the best for him

 

[Milena]

Just tried to give him a shower, he didn't even open his eyes or move at all. Up until today he was at least moving. He won't even grip my fingers... He just breathes once in a while. Well, 6 years I guess is a good run.

 

[JaxyGirl]

So sorry to hear about Chaz
It sounds like you gave him a really good life and you've done the best you could. I know how hard it is... Just make him as comfy as possible.
Hugs

 

[brownie64]

I would just let him pass in piece if it were me. Truly sorry for your loss.

 

[KLowery88]

Six years does seem to be an elderly age for chameleons, and if you've only had him for three, he could be even older. It's always hard to lose a pet, but it seems like you gave him a great time while in your care. I'm very sorry.

 

[Milena]

So Chaz passed away... Took him to the vet and he passed an estimated hour before that, naturally. Thank you everyone for the support. Rip my little sun warrior

 

[LindsayG]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You gave him a great life in his later years which I know he loved you for. RIP little Chaz